Manufacturing Engineer I

About the role

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges. As a Manufacturing Engineer I, you will design, develop, analyze, and implement manufacturing processes for NPI, Manufacturing, Distribution Center (DC), and repair products and processes. You will support operational groups in driving Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption, conduct failure mode analysis, and determine root causes and resolutions for performance-related issues. This role supports continual improvement and cost-saving solutions impacting NPI, sustaining, repair, and distribution processes.

This position requires hybrid work (3 days/week in office) in the Lincolnshire, IL office and is expected to start in Summer 2027.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and tests less complex NPI/manufacturing/repair/DC assignments as part of larger projects.
• Develops and tests documentation describing specific manufacturing/repair/DC functionality.
• Participates in project reviews for New Product Introduction (NPI) and/or Sustaining products.
• Runs tests designed by more experienced engineers and reviews test results to perform root cause analyses.
• Provides recommendations and implements solutions for less complex issues.
• Ensures compliance with quality processes and standards.
• Makes changes or upgrades to existing mechanical designs of products and/or repair fixtures.
• Enhances and improves existing technologies for new solutions.
• Implements recommendations to enhance team performance and productivity.
• Provides financial analysis and ROI calculations for engineering projects.
• Seeks out new tools, including AI solutions, to analyze and solve problems.
• Drives LSS and I4.0 initiatives, supports implementation strategy plans, performs internal LSS audits, and leads corrective action methodologies.
• Develops production time studies, headcount analyses, downtime analyses, efficiency improvement plans, warehouse slotting, and SKU velocity analyses.
• Identifies bottlenecks and improves flow; analyzes inbound, outbound, and inventory operations to optimize warehouse operations.
• Performs value stream mapping, process improvements, and standardization across multiple sites using PFMEA, DFMEA, BPM, and other LSS methodologies.
• Assists pricing and solutions teams by providing operational cost and key information for RFPs.
• Tracks KPIs and develops basic analytics for operational metrics.
• Works with vendors to identify operational equipment and automation solutions.
• Develops and manages project plans for major operational improvement activities.
• Supports the Maintenance department by developing lists of critical spare parts and min/max trackers; performs daily P&L tracking for Finance.
• Converts contract documents, proposals, and statements of work into work instructions and operating procedures; submits ISO-compliant documents to the Quality Management System (QMS).

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering with 0+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in engineering.
• Coursework in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.

Skills

• Experience with analytical tools/LSS tools such as flow charts, Pareto charts, cause and effect diagrams, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), run charts, etc.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Programming and AI knowledge.
• Yellow Belt Certification (desired).
• Successful completion of a Zebra Technologies Internship (preferred).

Pay

Pay Range: $61,040.00 - $91,560.00 per year.

In addition to base pay, this role offers the opportunity to earn a performance-based annual cash incentive, at a target equal to 5% of base pay.

Benefits

Zebra Total Rewards includes comprehensive and competitive benefits structured to meet evolving talent needs:

• Healthcare, wellness, inclusion networks, and continued learning and development offerings.
• Community service days, insurances, compensation, parental leave, employee assistance program, and paid time off (varies by country).
• Flexibility options including hybrid work, adaptable hours, Summer Flex Fridays, Focus Fridays, and an annual companywide well-being day.