Manufacturing Engineer

Build a career powered by innovations that matter! At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing-improving productivity, enhancing people's lives and redefining what's possible. We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications-from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Looking for a great place to work? You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment. Come explore Novanta.

Novanta is the world's leading developer of robotic end of arm technologies. Novanta end-effectors enhance productivity and flexibility of robotic and automated solutions across a wide spectrum of industries through capabilities such as automatic tool changing, force-torque sensing, material removal, and more. Since 1989, our commitment to engineering excellence, superior quality, and customer-focused support drives us to innovate and continuously improve the most reliable automated solutions available.

Summary

In this role, you will support the production of our diverse product mix by ensuring smooth product flow and promptly addressing any issues. You will collaborate closely with production personnel and value stream managers to maintain efficiency and resolve any challenges that arise.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide production-level support by addressing daily operational issues and ensuring smooth production flow.
• Conduct studies and analyses to establish optimum production and quality standards.
• Investigate and recommend manufacturing methods, processes, and equipment; implement findings.
• Identify and implement process improvements.
• Write, edit, and maintain Assembly Work Instructions.
• Investigate and troubleshoot technical problems.
• Coordinate resolution of Corrective Action Requests.
• Analyze plant layout, work plans, and production methods to achieve maximum efficiency.
• Develop and implement lean manufacturing and cost reduction plans.
• Conduct Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis for new product introductions.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for NPIs, focusing on safety, quality, and DFM/DFA.
• Participate in pre-production builds of new products to finalize the process and tooling, and to document any production difficulties to share with the cross-functional NPI teams.
• Train and guide technicians on design and development projects.
• Facilitate routing audits and improvements for fiscal efficiency.
• Improve material flow by optimizing routings, BOMs, and MOA capabilities to reduce lead time, movement, and scrap.
• Utilize the document control system to maintain document approval flow.
• Approve ECOs as the manufacturing engineering representative.
• Calculate production, labor, and material costs; estimate future requirements.
• Prepare product and process reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Coordinate maintenance and repair services to keep equipment operational.
• Other duties as required.

Required Experience, Education, Skills, Training and Competencies

• Proficient in technical writing.
• Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment a plus.
• Industrial controls knowledge/experience a plus.
• Quality methods experience preferred.
• CAD experience.
• Good communication skills with colleagues at all levels of technical ability.
• Lean Manufacturing, 5S experience, and/or Six Sigma training a plus.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• BS or higher degree in Engineering.
  

Travel Requirements

• Less than 10%
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while monitoring production processes.
• Capability to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Dexterity to handle and operate tools and equipment safely.
• Visual acuity to inspect products and identify defects.
• Flexibility to bend, stoop, and reach as needed during production support activities.

Ideal Candidate's Typical Workday

The ideal candidate will start their day by walking the production floor, engaging with production personnel to identify any immediate needs or issues. They will proactively ask if anyone requires assistance and address concerns promptly. They will join the Gemba walk to report issues as well as understand problems that need to be urgently addressed. Throughout the day, they will maintain a continuous improvement mindset, constantly looking for ways to enhance processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. This hands-on approach ensures they stay connected with the team and the production environment, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.