Manufacturing Engineer - Rockford Area

Manufacturing Engineer | Rockford, MI

Salary Range: $75,000 - $114,000 depending on experience

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for optimizing manufacturing processes and improving production efficiency? The Pivot Group is dedicated to building meaningful connections and supporting community growth. We are collaborating with leading companies in Rockford seeking experienced Manufacturing Engineers to drive results.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across Rockford seeking Manufacturing Engineers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for efficiency, cost reduction, and quality improvement.
• Design, implement, and maintain manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and equipment.
• Provide daily production support and troubleshoot manufacturing issues to minimize downtime.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring manufacturability and smooth production launch.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions and process specifications.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Production teams to resolve technical issues and improve product flow.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, focused on process optimization and improvement.
• Proven experience with Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for fixture design, tooling development, and process layout.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and statistical process control (SPC).
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and validate new manufacturing processes and equipment.

Bonus Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification
• Proficiency in robotics programming (e.g., FANUC, KUKA, Universal Robots) or PLC logic development (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley)
• Experience with manufacturing simulation software (e.g., Arena, FlexSim)
• Advanced data analysis skills using Python, R, or Power BI for process optimization
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Job Titles That Should Apply

Industrial Engineer, Process Engineer, Production Engineer, Lean Manufacturing Engineer, Continuous Improvement Engineer, Automation Engineer, Manufacturing Process Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, Production Operations Engineer, Manufacturing Systems Engineer

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.