Operations Engineering ManagerThis is a hands-on Operations Engineering Manager that not only manages, but participates in industrial engineering activities.
The role is built for someone who thrives in the shop environment. You will lead an Operations Engineering Support group that spends the majority of their time on the production floor — observing operations, conducting time studies, designing and physically setting up assembly lines and cells, and working alongside operators and supervisors. A core part of this role is supporting new product launches from pre-production planning through rate readiness, including full assembly line and cell setup. This is not a desk job. If you are most comfortable in steel-toed boots, this role is for you.Leadership and CollaborationManage/Lead manufacturing engineering and industrial engineering team membersBuild strong working relationships with operators, leads, and supervisorsCommunicate findings and changes clearly to both floor personnel and managementPartner with automation engineering, production supervision, and supply chain during new product launches and line reconfigurationsAssembly Line & Cell SetupDesign, configure, and physically set up assembly lines and manufacturing cells for new and existing productsEstablish cell layout, workstation sequencing, and material flow paths based on operation routing and takt timeSelect and position equipment, fixtures, tooling, and point-of-use storage at each workstationInstall and validate flow racks, kitting lanes, shadow boards, and visual management systemsConduct line balancing to distribute work content evenly across stations and eliminate bottlenecksSet up and verify ergonomic work heights, reach envelopes, and operator movement patterns at every stationCoordinate with facilities, maintenance, and manufacturing engineering during physical setup activitiesWalk the line during initial builds to observe flow, identify setup deficiencies, and make real-time adjustmentsEstablish WIP caps, buffer locations, and material replenishment triggers within the cellDocument final cell configuration with floor markings, station drawings, and photographic baselineProduction Launch SupportServe as the IE lead for new product introductions from early planning through sustained productionDevelop launch-phase labor standards and refine them through pilot runs and first article buildsConduct pre-launch capacity and line balance analyses to confirm takt alignmentParticipate in design for manufacturability (DFM) reviews and provide IE input during product developmentBuild and document standard work for all new assembly operations prior to operator trainingLead or support trial runs and production pilots, observing and recording actual vs. estimated timesIdentify and resolve launch bottlenecks in real time on the floorTrack launch-phase performance metrics (actual vs. standard, first pass yield, throughput) and drive corrective actionTransition products from launch mode to steady-state with fully validated standards and documented processesLabor Standards & Work MeasurementConduct direct time studies and work sampling on the production floorDevelop, validate, and maintain engineered labor standards using time studyObserve and document current-state assembly operations with precision and objectivityWork directly with operators to understand job content, sequence, and variationProcess ImprovementIdentify waste through direct observation — motion, waiting, overproduction, transportLead and participate in kaizen events and 5S activities on the floorImplement standard work and visual management at the workstation levelFollow improvements through to sustainment, not just recommendationData Collection & AnalysisGather production data firsthand — cycle times, downtime, scrap, throughputBuild capacity models and staffing plans grounded in observed realityTranslate floor data into clear recommendations for managementQualificationsRequiredBachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)2+ years of IE experience in a manufacturing or assembly environmentDirect experience designing and setting up assembly lines or manufacturing cellsDirect experience conducting time studies and developing labor standardsDemonstrated involvement in new product launches or production ramp-upsComfortable working in an active manufacturing environment (noise, machinery, PPE required)Must be US person per ITAR regulationsPreferredExperience supporting NPI (New Product Introduction) or APQP processesHands-on experience with U-cell or one-piece flow assembly configurationsFamiliarity with Lean tools: 5S, standard work, line balancing, value stream mapping, kaizenExperience with ERP/MES systems for data extraction and trackingSix Sigma Green Belt or equivalent trainingExperience in defense, aerospace, or regulated manufacturing