Small Electronics Manufacturing Company (Mid-Level Position)
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer serves as a self-directed technical contributor in a small, dynamic electronics manufacturing environment where versatility and initiative are essential. This position requires independent problem-solving, proactive process improvement, and the ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, seeks learning opportunities without prompting, and takes ownership of manufacturing challenges from identification through resolution. In our small company setting, this engineer will wear multiple hats and directly impact product quality, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Core Responsibilities
Independent Process Ownership (35%)
Take full ownership of assigned product lines without day-to-day supervision
Proactively identify process gaps and implement improvements before issues escalate
Self-audit processes and documentation, updating without being prompted
Research and propose new manufacturing methods based on industry trends
Develop contingency plans for critical processes without management direction
Monitor industry publications and forums for applicable solutions
Create and maintain process roadmaps for continuous improvement
Take initiative to cross-train on unfamiliar equipment and processes
SMT Programming & Optimization (20%)
Independently develop and release SMT programs from CAD data to production
Optimize existing programs based on self-initiated yield analysis
Anticipate and resolve programming issues before production impact
Build comprehensive component libraries without supervision
Identify opportunities for standardization across product families
Research and implement advanced programming features independently
Develop programming templates and standards for team use
Train yourself on new equipment capabilities through manuals and experimentation
Proactive Problem Solving (20%)
Monitor production metrics daily and investigate anomalies without prompting
Develop systematic approaches to recurring issues
Research root causes using online resources, vendor contacts, and experimentation
Implement permanent corrective actions with minimal oversight
Anticipate potential problems during NPI and address preemptively
Build relationships with equipment vendors for technical support
Create troubleshooting guides based on learned experiences
Seek out problems others haven't noticed yet
Customer Program Management (15%)
Independently manage customer technical relationships for assigned accounts
Anticipate customer needs and prepare solutions proactively
Take initiative to improve customer documentation and reporting
Identify upselling opportunities through manufacturing improvements
Resolve customer complaints with minimal escalation
Proactively communicate potential issues before customers discover them
Research customer industries to better understand their requirements
Develop account-specific quality and process improvements
Self-Directed Learning & Development (10%)
Identify personal knowledge gaps and seek training without prompting
Master new equipment through self-study and experimentation
Pursue relevant certifications and online courses independently
Build expertise in emerging technologies relevant to company growth
Learn from other departments to understand full business context
Attend webinars and virtual conferences on own initiative
Document and share self-learned knowledge with team
Experiment with new techniques during off-hours or slow periods
Manufacturing Engineer • Scottsdale, AZ, United States