Descripción
We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with strong experience in industrial sewing processes and textile manufacturing to support a new manufacturing operation. This position will play a key role in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of production processes, driving operational efficiency, product quality, and overall plant performance. The ideal candidate brings solid technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and a continuous improvement mindset within manufacturing environments.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Textile Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
- Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in textile, sewing, cutting, or apparel manufacturing environments.
- Proven experience supporting manufacturing start-ups, production transfers, or new line implementations is preferred.
- Intermediate to advanced English proficiency.
- Valid visa and availability for occasional business travel.
Plant Start-up & Manufacturing Implementation
- Experience in production line setup, manufacturing cell design, and shop floor layout implementation.
- Support installation, commissioning, and validation of industrial sewing and cutting equipment.
- Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, visual aids, and process documentation.
- Training and onboarding of production personnel on sewing operations, equipment usage, safety procedures, and quality standards.
- Participation in pilot runs, production trials, and line balancing activities to optimize efficiency and throughput.
- Design and implementation of jigs, fixtures, guides, and process improvements that enhance consistency and productivity.
- Establishment of material flow systems, point-of-use storage, and inventory control methods.
- Experience managing Bills of Materials (BOMs), manufacturing routings, engineering changes, and ERP systems.
- Knowledge of maquiladora manufacturing operations, including import/export processes and USMCA regulations.
Technical Knowledge
- Experience with manual and automated fabric cutting processes and equipment.
- Strong understanding of industrial sewing operations and manufacturing processes.
- Knowledge of sewing machine configurations, stitch types, threads, needles, tensions, and sewing attachments.
- Understanding of textile materials, synthetic fabrics, technical fabrics, and related manufacturing characteristics.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Adobe Illustrator, and/or other manufacturing and design software.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
- Application of Lean Manufacturing principles including 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and Poka-Yoke.
- Experience conducting time studies, capacity analysis, labor utilization assessments, and line balancing.
- Knowledge of ergonomic workstation design for cutting, sewing, and assembly operations.
- Experience with quality systems, including SPC, Process FMEA, corrective actions, root cause analysis, and non-conformance management.
- Ability to utilize measuring and inspection tools such as calipers, rulers, gauges, and related equipment.
Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills focused on productivity improvement and waste reduction.
- Leadership skills with the ability to train, develop, and motivate production teams.
- Effective cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and Supply Chain departments.
- Adaptability and sense of urgency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and project management abilities.