Manufacturing Systems Engineer – Job Description
Who We Are: Chalfant, a member of the OBO Bettermann Group, is a trusted leader in high-quality cable tray and cable management systems—all proudly made in the USA. With over 80 years of industry expertise, we combine innovation, craftsmanship, and customer focus to deliver solutions that power critical infrastructure across North America. At Chalfant, we're not just building products—we’re building a better future for our customers, our communities, and our team.
Job Summary/Purpose: The Manufacturing Systems Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining the manufacturing systems, processes, and master data required to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role owns the integrity, accuracy, and standardization of manufacturing master data, including Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, labor standards, machine programs and parameters, work instructions, and process documentation. Working closely with Product Engineering, Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain, the Manufacturing Systems Engineer ensures manufacturing information is aligned with approved engineering releases and ERP requirements while driving process standardization, manufacturing execution, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities/Duties:
- Manufacturing Systems & Data Management
- Own the integrity of the manufacturing master data required to execute production, including Bills of Material (BOMs), routings, labor standards, machine programs and parameters, work instructions, and process documentation.
- Ensure all manufacturing data is accurate, standardized, and aligned with approved engineering releases and ERP requirements.
- Maintain accurate manufacturing master data within ERP/MRP manufacturing systems to support production planning, execution, and inventory accuracy.
- Create, update, and manage Bills of Material (BOMs) and product structures.
- Create, modify, and maintain manufacturing routings, labor standards, machine standards, and production sequences.
- Review, process, and implement Engineering Change Notices (ECNs/ECOs) by updating manufacturing master data, routings, BOMs, work instructions, and ERP records.
- Maintain manufacturing documentation including work instructions, standard work, labor standards, and process documentation.
- Generate manufacturing reports, metrics, and data to support operational decisions.
- Process Development & Programming
- Develop, maintain, validate, troubleshoot, and optimize machine programs to improve quality, throughput, and equipment utilization.
- Support programming changes associated with process improvements, engineering changes, and new product introductions.
- Validate manufacturing processes and programs to meet safety, quality, and productivity requirements.
- Assist with troubleshooting process and programming issues affecting production performance.
- Standardize manufacturing processes across all production shifts to ensure consistent execution and repeatable results.
- Equipment & Maintenance Support
- Partner with maintenance teams to ensure equipment reliability and preventive maintenance alignment with production needs.
- Provide technical support and manufacturing requirements for capital equipment, tooling, and automation projects.
- Support installation, commissioning, process validation, and production readiness for new equipment.
- Capacity & Throughput Optimization
- Analyze and calculate production capacity, identifying constraints or bottlenecks that limit throughput.
- Develop and execute plans to eliminate constraints through process changes, equipment improvements, or layout enhancements.
- Conduct machine efficiency studies and recommend adjustments to improve uptime, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement
- Establish, track, and report efficiency KPIs, including cycle time, scrap rate, productivity, labor utilization, and equipment performance.
- Identify improvement opportunities and lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Implement solutions that enhance safety, reduce waste, improve quality, and increase operational performance.
- Material Flow & Production Support
- Evaluate and optimize material flow to improve line balance, reduce handling, and support just-in-time production.
- Support daily operations by troubleshooting process issues, performing root-cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on quality improvements, new product launches, and engineering changes.
- Audit manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with approved routings, work instructions, labor standards and manufacturing documentation.
- Monitor and continuously improve the accuracy of manufacturing master data to ensure production schedules, inventory transactions, and work orders execute correctly within the ERP/MRP system.
- Training & Implementation
- Create and deliver training materials for new processes, equipment, routings, work instructions, and engineering changes.
- Train production personnel on manufacturing processes, standard work, quality requirements, and best practices.
- Support change management activities to ensure successful implementation of process improvements and new technologies.
Required Qualifications/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
- 5–10 years of experience in a manufacturing engineering role within a production environment.
- Demonstrated experience in:
- Time studies and labor standards development
- Routing creation and maintenance
- BOM management and product structure maintenance
- Process implementation and employee training
- Capacity analysis and bottleneck identification
- Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
- Experience with ERP/MRP manufacturing systems, including BOM and routing management.
Required Skills:
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and utilize CAD software when supporting manufacturing process development.
- Experience supporting capital equipment implementation within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualification:
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
- Experience with engineering change management, process documentation, and document control.
- Experience with CNC, PLC, robotic, or manufacturing equipment programming.
- Experience supporting manufacturing implementation of new equipment, engineering changes, and process improvements.
- Experience with ERP implementations or manufacturing master data migration.
Competencies/Skills:
- Manufacturing Systems & Master Data Integrity
- ERP/MRP manufacturing Systems & Manufacturing Master Data Management.
- Manufacturing Process & Continuous Improvement
- Technical Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
- Manufacturing Documentation & Process Standardization
- Data Analysis & Performance Reporting
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication
- Project & Change Management
- Training & Knowledge Transfer
Technology and Equipment:
- CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, etc.).
- ERP/MRP Systems (Infor LN, Sage, SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)
- BOM, routing, and document management systems.
- CNC, PLC, robotic, or machine programming software.
- Time study and industrial engineering tools.
- OEE and production reporting systems.
- Standard manufacturing measurement equipment and shop-floor machinery.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
- Split between office and production floor environments.
- Exposure to noise, moving machinery, heat, and standard manufacturing conditions.
- May work occasional off‑shift hours to support production or equipment installs.
- Ability to stand, walk, and move through the plant for extended periods.
- Occasional bending, reaching, climbing stairs/ladders.
- Ability to lift 25–35 lbs occasionally.
- Visual and auditory ability for inspection and safety awareness.
Travel Requirements:
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.