Entry Level Manufacturing Engineer

About the role

We are seeking an entry-level Manufacturing Engineer to support continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role focuses on enhancing production efficiency, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reducing downtime, and supporting process optimization efforts across multiple production lines. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who enjoys working on the manufacturing floor, analyzing data, solving problems, and collaborating with operations, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams.

This position operates in a fast-paced, high-volume food manufacturing facility where engineers spend the majority of their time on the production floor rather than behind a desk. The environment offers direct exposure to large-scale food manufacturing operations and provides the opportunity to lead impactful continuous improvement projects early in your career. It features a collaborative environment with strong mentorship from experienced engineering and operations leaders, and a clear pathway for growth into Process Engineering, Continuous Improvement, Operations Leadership, or Project Engineering roles.

Responsibilities

• Analyze production data, KPIs, and OEE metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement projects aimed at increasing throughput, reducing waste, and improving equipment reliability.
• Conduct root cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with maintenance and operations teams to improve equipment performance and process stability.
• Assist with line optimization, process standardization, and workflow improvements.
• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and process documentation.
• Monitor production trends and recommend improvements to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Support lean manufacturing initiatives including 5S and Kaizen events, and waste reduction projects.
• Participate in capital improvement and equipment installation projects.
• Work directly on the manufacturing floor to troubleshoot production challenges and implement solutions.
• Assist in conducting time studies, capacity analysis, and process mapping activities.

Skills

• Manufacturing engineering
• Process improvement
• Continuous improvement
• OEE / Manufacturing Metrics
• Root Cause Analysis / Process Optimization
• SOP Development
• Lean manufacturing
• Manufacturing process
• Root cause failure analysis
• OEE analysis
• Root Cause Analysis (5 Why, Fishbone, etc.)
• KPI Tracking and Reporting
• Equipment Troubleshooting
• Data Analysis
• Manufacturing Operations

Qualifications

• Recent engineering graduates
• Manufacturing engineering internships

Pay

The pay range for this position is $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Health Savings Account (HSA) eligible medical plans
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Schedule

This is a permanent, fully onsite position based in Burlington, NC.