Manufacturing Engineer – Grinding

About the role

The Manufacturing Engineer – Grinding role is essential for supporting production throughput and product quality in a medical device manufacturing environment. This position serves as the subject matter expert (SME) for grinding processes, developing, optimizing, and sustaining these operations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership – Serve as the SME for grinding, providing guidance on tooling, wheel selection, machine setup, and best practices, while ensuring compliance with OSHA guidelines.
• Diagnose faulty equipment through observation, testing methods, and use of measuring instruments.
• Training & Mentorship – Develop and deliver training for production and engineers, strengthening the organization’s technical capability in grinding.
• Problem Solving – Lead root cause investigations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement projects to eliminate defects, reduce costs, and improve productivity.
• Drive Results – Process Development & Optimization – Design, develop, and optimize grinding processes (cylindrical, surface, centerless, creep-feed, etc.) to achieve high precision, repeatability, and efficiency.
• Install and commission new production equipment to meet production demands and customer needs.
• Technology Advancement – Stay current with advancements in grinding equipment, wheel technology, and process innovations; evaluate and implement new solutions to keep manufacturing at the cutting edge.
• Collaboration – Partner with cross-functional teams to balance production needs, process capability, and equipment reliability, ensuring consistent delivery to customers.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) – Collaborate with business development, quality, process technicians, and operations teams to develop grinding processes for new products, ensuring robust validation and scalability.

Requirements

• Proficiency with CNC programming, CAD/CAM, and GD&T.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and statistical process control (SPC) skills.
• Expert knowledge of grinding processes, wheels, dressing, and machine tool capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex grinding challenges.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; proven ability to mentor and collaborate across teams and sites.

Skills

• Proficiency with CNC programming, CAD/CAM, and GD&T.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and statistical process control (SPC) skills.
• Expert knowledge of grinding processes, wheels, dressing, and machine tool capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex grinding challenges.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; proven ability to mentor and collaborate across teams and sites.

Experience

• 7+ years of grinding experience in precision manufacturing (medical device, aerospace, or other high-tolerance industry strongly preferred).
• Familiarity with quality and regulatory standards such as ISO 13485, FDA QSR (21 CFR 820), GxP, and validation protocols preferred.
• Experience analyzing process data, troubleshooting equipment or process issues, and implementing corrective actions to maintain production efficiency and compliance.

Education

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field. Equivalent technical experience with precision grinding processes will be considered.
• Licenses/Certification: Professional certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or ASQ credentials preferred.
• Technology/Equipment: Microsoft Office Applications, familiarity with CNC programming, and related process-monitoring software.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand and move within an office or production environment for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs, including tooling, fixtures, or small equipment.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required in manufacturing areas.
• Excellent visual acuity to inspect parts, monitor grinding processes, review technical drawings, and work with computer systems.
• Able to hear and communicate clearly in meetings, on calls, and during team discussions.
• Occasional bending, stooping, or reaching during on-site activities, machine setup, or workspace organization.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with regular interaction in manufacturing and cleanroom environments.
• Standard Monday–Friday schedule, with flexibility as needed to support project milestones and production priorities.
• Frequent interaction with grinding machinery, tools, and production materials to support process development, troubleshooting, and optimization.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Director of Engineering.