Manufacturing Engineer – Control Panel Fabrication and Assembly

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer will lead the setup, optimization, and continuous improvement of Nortek’s control panel fabrication and assembly lines supporting data center cooling products. This role focuses on building efficient, scalable processes for assembling electrical control panels, junction boxes, wiring harnesses, HMI/control screens, and integrated controller systems used in mission-critical data center cooling units.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize manufacturing lines for control panel fabrication, wiring, and assembly.

• Develop process flows, workstation layouts, tooling requirements, and line balancing strategies.

• Create and maintain standard work instructions, assembly documentation, and visual aids.

• Lead PFMEA, control plans, and process validation activities for new or revised production lines.

• Implement lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, SMED, value stream mapping) to reduce waste and increase throughput.

• Electrical & Control System Integration:

  • Support assembly and testing of electrical control panels, PLC/HMI systems, wiring harnesses, and sensor/actuator interfaces.

  • Collaborate with electrical engineering teams to translate schematics, BOMs, and controller requirements into manufacturable processes.

  • Develop test procedures for control panels, including continuity checks, functional tests, and controller configuration steps.

  • Troubleshoot electrical assembly issues and drive root-cause corrective actions.

• Quality, Compliance & Documentation:

  • Ensure compliance with UL508A, NEC, and other applicable electrical and safety standards.

  • Define quality checkpoints and inspection criteria for wiring, terminations, labeling, and panel assembly.

  • Maintain accurate process documentation, revision control, and manufacturing records.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Work closely with design engineering, supply chain, production supervisors, and quality teams to ensure manufacturability and smooth product launches.

  • Provide training and technical support to assembly technicians and production staff.

  • Participate in design reviews to ensure new products are optimized for manufacturability (DFM/DFA).

• Continuous Improvement & Automation:

  • Identify opportunities for automation in panel assembly, wiring, testing, and material handling.

  • Evaluate and implement new tools, fixtures, labeling systems, and wire processing equipment.

  • Drive cost-reduction initiatives through process improvements, material optimization, and cycle-time reduction.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. If non-EE degree: must have hands-on experience with electronics, electrical systems, or control panel assembly.

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably in electrical assembly, control panels, or electromechanical systems.

• Strong understanding of wiring practices, schematics, electrical symbols, and panel layout standards.

• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and industrial control components.

• Proficiency with CAD tools (AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical, or similar).

• Demonstrated experience implementing lean manufacturing and process optimization.

• Ability to analyze data, create process metrics, and drive measurable improvements.

Preferred Experience

• In HVAC, cooling systems, or data center infrastructure.

• Familiarity with Nortek or similar industrial control architectures.

• Knowledge of UL508A panel standards and industrial electrical codes.

• Experience with automated wire processing, labeling, or panel testing equipment.

• Background in high-mix/low-volume