Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Capital Projects & Process Improvement

Job description

About Us: UNEX is a growing, family-owned company in Lakewood, NJ, and a recognized leader in material handling solutions that serve as a critical link to the supply chain industry. We are passionate about innovation, operational excellence, and developing exceptional people. At UNEX, you'll be empowered to tackle complex challenges, lead meaningful improvements, influence the future of the business, and grow your career in an environment where your ideas and contributions truly matter. Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Capital Projects & Process Improvement Reports to : Director of Manufacturing and Engineering Position Summary: The Senior Manufacturing Engineer will lead high-impact manufacturing improvement and capital equipment projects from concept through implementation. This role is responsible for identifying opportunities, developing technical solutions, building accurate ROI justification, coordinating vendors and internal resources, and successfully integrating new technology into existing manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver, self-starter, and cross-functional collaborator who can drive projects through completion with minimal direction. Essential Responsibilities: Lead capital equipment and manufacturing improvement projects from initial concept, justification, vendor selection, installation, commissioning, training, and handoff to operations. Evaluate new technologies and determine how they can be integrated with existing machinery, controls, workflows, and production systems. Analyze production data, labor content, downtime, scrap, throughput, material usage, and cost drivers to identify improvement opportunities. Develop accurate ROI models, cost-benefit analyses, payback calculations, and project business cases for equipment investments and process improvements. Manage project scope, timeline, budget, risks, vendors, and internal resources to ensure successful execution from start to finish. Design or modify mechanical components, fixtures, tooling, layouts, equipment interfaces, and related drawings to support manufacturing needs. Assess new part requests and change orders for manufacturability, cost, safety, quality, and production impact. Improve manufacturing efficiency, safety, reliability, and capacity by analyzing and planning workflow, space requirements, equipment, and process layout. Research, develop, and implement solutions for long-term reliability with current machinery in the factory. Research, develop, and implement new processes, equipment, products, and manufacturing technologies. Coordinate with vendors, maintenance, operations, safety, quality, finance, leadership, and other internal resources to execute projects successfully. Prepare process and project reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information, trends, risks, and results. Ensure manufacturing processes, equipment, and products comply with safety standards and legal regulations. Develop a complete understanding of the UNEX product line and use that knowledge to support continuous improvement and future product solutions. Necessary Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field. 5+ years of related manufacturing engineering experience in a hands-on production environment. Proven experience managing manufacturing engineering, process improvement, or capital equipment projects from start to finish. Experience evaluating, justifying, installing, commissioning, and improving manufacturing equipment. Ability to build and present accurate ROI models, cost analyses, and project business cases using production and financial data. Strong mechanical design capability using CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, simulation software, or similar tools. Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office, especially Excel for data analysis and project justification. Understanding of robotics, automation, controls, sensors, or system functionality as applied in manufacturing environments. Ability to communicate effectively with vendors, operators, maintenance teams, engineers, leadership, and other internal stakeholders. Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to independently identify issues, gather data, develop practical solutions, and drive implementation. A desire to drive the evolution of product solutions, manufacturing capability, and operational performance. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Lean methodology, continuous improvement, or value stream improvement. Experience with Six Sigma, statistical analysis, root cause analysis, or structured problem-solving tools. Experience integrating modern automation, robotics, sensors, controls, or process technology into existing equipment or legacy production environments. Experience working with outside equipment builders, machine shops, automation suppliers, integrators, or other technical vendors. Formal project management training or demonstrated experience leading cross-functional manufacturing projects. Physical Demands: This role requires a combination of sitting, standing, walking, stooping and kneeling as well as the occasional need to move or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment: While it’s very quiet in the office environment, visits to the factory may require hearing protection and safety glasses. Job Type: Full-time; Monday - Friday Benefits: Health, Dental and Life Insurance 401(k) Paid time off Work Location: In person Lakewood, NJ; hybrid or remote work is not available. To be considered for this position, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future; UNEX Manufacturing will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity. No sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT, or any other employment-based visa. UNEX Manufacturing utilizes E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States