Shift Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer

Shift Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Martinsburg, WV
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Shift-based; flexibility to support assigned production shifts
Salary: $85,000–$105,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications
Industry: Manufacturing / Plastics / Packaging

About the Position

Our client is seeking an experienced Shift Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer to provide technical leadership and engineering support during assigned production shifts. This position is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing professional who enjoys solving production problems, improving processes, working with equipment, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.

The Shift Engineer will work closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Operations to improve safety, productivity, equipment reliability, product quality, and overall plant performance.

This is a highly visible, hands-on position for an engineer who is comfortable making real-time decisions on the manufacturing floor.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing & Production Support

• Provide technical engineering support and leadership during assigned production shifts.
• Work directly with Production Supervisors and Operators to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Monitor production performance, productivity, downtime, scrap, and other key performance indicators.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment-related issues.
• Help ensure production schedules and performance targets are achieved.
• Coordinate engineering support across production areas including extrusion, thermoforming, recycling, packaging, and shipping.
• Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, quality, and throughput.

Process Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Optimize machine settings and operating parameters.
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures and process parameters.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement projects.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Lead or participate in Kaizen and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Improve OEE, reduce scrap and downtime, and minimize changeover time.
• Standardize best practices across production shifts.

Equipment Reliability

• Work closely with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and performance.
• Analyze equipment downtime and recurring mechanical/process issues.
• Recommend equipment modifications, upgrades, and improvements.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance initiatives.
• Assist with installation, startup, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and manufacturing process problems.

Project Management

• Lead capital improvement and process improvement projects.
• Support equipment layout modifications and facility improvements.
• Assist with automation and manufacturing expansion projects.
• Support new product launches and manufacturing process development.
• Coordinate engineering activities with equipment suppliers, contractors, and outside vendors.

Quality, Safety & Food/Packaging Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements and company safety policies.
• Support proper PPE and safe work practices.
• Work with Quality to identify and resolve product defects and process issues.
• Support corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Help ensure compliance with applicable GMP, HACCP, SQF, and food/packaging quality standards.
• Participate in safety, quality, and operational investigations.

Leadership & Team Support

• Provide technical coaching and support to Production Supervisors and Operators.
• Assist with employee training related to equipment and manufacturing processes.
• Support onboarding and cross-training initiatives.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a technical resource for the production team during assigned shifts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
• 3–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong experience working in a production/manufacturing environment.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial equipment and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Operations teams.
• Ability to work on the manufacturing floor and respond to production issues in real time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in plastics manufacturing, extrusion, thermoforming, food packaging, or high-volume manufacturing.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
• Lean Manufacturing certification.
• Experience with OEE improvement.
• Experience with PLC-controlled equipment.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP systems.
• Project management experience.
• Experience with preventive/predictive maintenance programs.
• Experience leading capital improvement projects.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Manufacturing, Process, or Industrial Engineer who can combine engineering knowledge with practical production-floor experience.

We are especially interested in candidates who have experience as a:

• Manufacturing Engineer
• Process Engineer
• Industrial Engineer
• Continuous Improvement Engineer
• Production Engineer
• Manufacturing Engineering Supervisor
• Process Improvement Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer with manufacturing experience

Candidates from plastics, packaging, automotive, food manufacturing, consumer products, or other high-volume manufacturing environments are encouraged to apply.

Skills That Will Make You Successful

• Strong troubleshooting ability
• Engineering mindset
• Analytical thinking
• Leadership skills
• Excellent communication
• Root cause analysis
• Lean Manufacturing
• Continuous Improvement
• OEE improvement
• Equipment reliability
• Project management
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure
• Comfortable working directly with production teams

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who wants to have a direct impact on manufacturing performance. You will have the opportunity to lead improvement projects, solve complex production problems, work with advanced manufacturing equipment, and collaborate with multiple departments across the facility.

If you are a Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer, Industrial Engineer, or similar engineering professional looking for a hands-on leadership opportunity in manufacturing, we encourage you to apply.

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