Job Description

My client is a growing manufacturer of premium steel and aluminum end-dump trailers in Kewanee, IL. They are investing heavily in their fabrication capabilities, including new weld fixturing, proprietary steel rolling processes, an expanding aluminum line, and other modernized processes across the plant. My client is looking for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to help lead this growth and transformation.

The Role

This is a senior-level role with an expectation of approximately 50% hands-on work on the shop floor and 50% leading capital projects from start to finish.

You will own continuous improvement across fabrication, welding, paint, and final assembly; help establish and develop technical standards for the shop floor; mentor operators; work closely with operations leadership; and report directly to the Director of Engineering.

My client is hiring for depth and leadership, with a strong focus on execution and measurable results.

What You'll Drive

• Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing — Lead value-stream mapping, standard work, kaizen events, and cell/line layout across fabrication and assembly, with measurable improvements in throughput, OEE, scrap, cost, and safety. This is the heart of the role.
• Capital Projects, End to End — Own project justification, design, vendor selection, installation, launch, and validation of material-handling and fabrication equipment.
• Fabrication Process Engineering — Drive improvements in welding, brake forming, fixturing, weld sequencing, CNC machining, and built-in quality for steel and aluminum weldments.
• Process Documentation & ERP — Build and maintain routings, work instructions, standard times, and BOMs while driving data-backed standard costing.
• New Product Introduction — Partner with design engineering on DFM and the smooth launch of new trailer configurations.
• Technical Leadership — Help influence and drive technical excellence by developing bills of process specific to my client's manufacturing processes.

What You Bring

• 5–7+ years (7+ preferred) in manufacturing or process engineering within heavy fabrication — welding, press brakes, plate cutting, structural steel and/or aluminum.
• Proven continuous-improvement / Lean leadership, with a track record of leading CI or Lean programs and delivering quantified results.
• Genuine comfort working on the shop floor, combined with demonstrated capital-project management experience.
• Experience in trailer, truck-body, heavy-equipment, or comparable heavy-fabrication manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Lean / Six Sigma credentials are a plus.
• ERP/MRP fluency, including routings, BOMs, and standard costing.
• Engineering degree preferred; equivalent hands-on heavy-fabrication experience will be considered.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to have real ownership and visible impact with a growing manufacturer during a period of significant capital investment. The improvements you make will have a direct impact on the shop floor and measurable business results.

The position is based in Kewanee, Illinois, in the greater Quad Cities region, and relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.