Manufacturing & Project Engineer

Manufacturing & Project EngineerLocation: Houston, TXEmployment Type: Full-Time, Salaried, ExemptDepartment: ProductionReports To: Vice President of ProductionIndustry: ManufacturingAbout RAM Windows & DoorsRAM Windows & Doors is an exciting and rapidly growing manufacturer of residential and commercial windows and doors. RAM has been manufacturing high-end custom windows since 1978. In 2021, RAM expanded its product offering to include high-end custom exterior doors. The company has continued to expand its product lines and market presence, creating opportunities for hardworking, motivated, and results-driven professionals.Position SummaryRAM Windows & Doors is seeking a Manufacturing & Project Engineer to work directly with the Vice President of Production and collaborate closely with our Production, Materials, Planning, Quality, and Maintenance teams.This position will lead project-based initiatives focused on reducing labor cost per unit, increasing throughput and capacity, shortening lead times, improving material and process flow, and implementing sustainable manufacturing improvements.The Manufacturing & Project Engineer will analyze existing processes, identify constraints, develop solutions, calculate expected operational and financial benefits, and coordinate approved projects through implementation.The ideal candidate is a self-starter with practical manufacturing experience, strong mechanical aptitude, and demonstrated knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, one-piece flow, 5S, standard work, and structured problem-solving.Essential Duties & Responsibilities- Work closely with the Vice President of Production to identify, prioritize, and execute manufacturing improvement projects.- Support process improvement across manufacturing operations, including machining, fabrication, saw, CNC, assembly, material handling, inspection, and packaging.- Analyze production processes to identify bottlenecks, excess labor, waiting, downtime, rework, excessive work in process, and other forms of waste.- Conduct time studies, process observations, capacity analyses, and workflow reviews.- Develop and maintain capacity models based on labor, equipment, cycle times, product mix, uptime, and scheduled production hours.- Develop project scopes, schedules, cost estimates, expected benefits, implementation plans, and performance measures.- Prepare equipment and capital-project proposals, including throughput impact, capacity increases, labor savings, payback periods, and return-on-investment calculations.- Research equipment, tooling, fixtures, automation, workstations, and material-handling solutions and present recommendations to management.- Coordinate approved projects with Production, Materials, Planning, Quality, Maintenance, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.- Support equipment installation, commissioning, process trials, employee training, and performance validation.- Apply Lean and Six Sigma methods, including one-piece flow, 5S, standard work, visual management, waste reduction, value-stream mapping, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.- Develop or improve manufacturing layouts, work cells, material presentation, staging, kitting, and replenishment methods.- Read and interpret engineering drawings, assembly drawings, dimensions, tolerances, specifications, and bills of materials.- Create or revise basic manufacturing drawings, layouts, and fixture concepts using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar CAD software.- Design, assemble, test, and improve jigs, fixtures, gauges, templates, carts, workstations, and other production aids.- Work with internal employees, machine shops, fabricators, and vendors to manufacture parts, tooling, and fixtures.- Develop standard work, process maps, work instructions, visual controls, and other manufacturing documentation.- Establish baseline measurements before implementation and verify that completed projects achieve expected results.- Monitor completed improvements to ensure changes are sustained and do not negatively affect safety, quality, or downstream operations.- Track and report performance related to labor cost per unit, capacity, throughput, lead time, and overall process improvement.- Provide regular project updates to the Vice President of Production, including progress, risks, costs, results, and decisions required.- Manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting established deadlines.- Perform other duties as assigned.Required Skills- Demonstrated knowledge of Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.- Practical understanding of one-piece flow, 5S, standard work, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.- Strong understanding of manufacturing capacity, throughput, cycle time, labor utilization, and process flow.- Ability to conduct time studies, analyze production data, and identify operational constraints.- Ability to calculate capacity increases, labor savings, payback periods, and return on investment.- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, specifications, and bills of materials.- Practical knowledge of common machining, fabrication, part-manufacturing, and assembly methods.- Ability to design, assemble, test, and improve manufacturing jigs, fixtures, tooling, and production aids.- Familiarity with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or comparable CAD software.- Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on problem-solving ability.- Strong Excel skills, including formulas, pivot tables, charts, and data analysis.- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.- Strong project-management, organizational, and time-management skills.- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.- Ability to lead cross-functional projects without direct supervisory authority.- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and follow projects through completion.- Ability to work effectively on the manufacturing floor with employees, supervisors, managers, vendors, and technical personnel.- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Education & ExperienceRequired:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited college or university.- 2 to 5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, project engineering, process engineering, continuous improvement, or a similar manufacturing role.- Practical experience applying Lean manufacturing methods in a production environment.- Demonstrated experience with one-piece flow, 5S, standard work, capacity analysis, and process improvement.Preferred:- Experience preparing throughput analyses, capacity calculations, project proposals, cost justifications, or ROI analyses.- Experience designing, assembling, or implementing manufacturing jigs, fixtures, tooling, or production aids.- Experience using AutoCAD and SolidWorks to create or revise manufacturing drawings, layouts, and fixture designs.- Experience with value-stream mapping, DMAIC, Kaizen, line balancing, takt-time analysis, cellular manufacturing, or Theory of Constraints.- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent practical experience.- Experience supporting CNC equipment, saw operations, machining, fabrication, assembly, or automated manufacturing equipment.- Experience with equipment installation, commissioning, process validation, or manufacturing-line launches.- Experience in engineered-to-order, make-to-order, high-mix, or custom manufacturing.- Experience in windows and doors, building products, aluminum fabrication, glass, machining, or assembly.- Experience using ERP, MRP, production-planning, or manufacturing-management systems.- Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills.What We're Looking For- Self-starter who takes ownership of assignments and proactively identifies next steps.- Strong analytical, mechanical, and practical problem-solving abilities.- Ability to balance engineering analysis with timely shop-floor implementation.- Comfortable spending significant time on the production floor observing processes, collecting data, and testing solutions.- Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical employees.- Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and influence results without direct authority.- Resourceful, creative, detail-oriented, and professional.- Ability to quickly learn new products, equipment, processes, and systems.Physical & Other Requirements- Approximately 40% to 50% of the workday may involve sitting at a desk and working on a computer.- Regular walking and standing in active manufacturing and warehouse areas.- Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and climbing stairs.- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.- Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment, forklifts, fabrication processes, and material-handling systems.- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment in designated areas.- Ability to travel to company facilities, vendor locations, equipment demonstrations, or job sites when required.- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record when travel is required.Work ScheduleMonday through Friday8:00 AM to 5:00 PMOccasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, or schedule flexibility may be required to support production trials, equipment installations, shutdown work, and project deadlines.BenefitsRAM Windows & Doors currently offers eligible employees:- 10 paid time-off days- 2 floating paid time-off days- 8 paid company holidays- Medical, dental, and vision insurance- Company-paid life insurance- Company-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance- Company-paid short-term disability insurance- 401(k) retirement savings program with up to a 4% company match- Casual dress code- Weekly payBenefits are subject to applicable eligibility requirements, plan terms, company policies, and future modification . click apply for full job details