Manufacturing Engineer

About Key Technology:

Key Technology in Walla Walla, WA is a worldwide leader in food processing technology. As a global industrial manufacturing company, our ongoing innovations provide increased control, continuous processing, sorting, automated inspection, specialized conveying, and grading and sizing, in processed fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, fresh-cut produce and more.

The Manufacturing Engineer 3 is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving manufacturing processes used in the fabrication, assembly, testing, and installation of complex capital equipment. This position serves as a technical leader within the organization, providing engineering expertise across multiple product lines while supporting operational excellence initiatives. The Manufacturing Engineer 3 independently manages complex projects, resolves advanced manufacturing challenges, and mentors less experienced engineers. This role works closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Service, and Operations to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manufacturing Engineering & Process Improvement

• Lead large-scale manufacturing improvement initiatives with significant operational impact.
• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes, production methods, and workflow improvements.
• Analyze production systems, capacity, labor utilization, cycle times, material flow, and operational constraints to improve efficiency and throughput.
• Develop manufacturing strategies that enhance scalability, capacity, productivity, quality, and cost performance.
• Serve as the technical lead for complex manufacturing, assembly, testing, and integration challenges.
• Utilize advanced analytical and statistical methods to improve process capability and product quality.

Project Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams supporting production readiness, product launches, process transformations, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Manage major capital investment projects, including business justification, equipment selection, installation, commissioning, validation, and implementation.
• Evaluate and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, and digital manufacturing systems.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities through process development, risk assessment, design reviews, and production readiness planning.

Quality & Problem Solving

• Lead complex root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions for manufacturing and quality issues.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) evaluations to improve product manufacturability.
• Establish and maintain manufacturing standards, engineering best practices, and process governance.
• Monitor manufacturing performance metrics and drive continuous improvement activities.

Lean Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

• Champion enterprise-wide Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead value stream mapping, Kaizen events, standardized work development, waste elimination, and productivity improvement projects.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through process optimization, efficiency improvements, and technology implementation.

Supplier & Team Development

• Lead supplier manufacturing assessments and support supplier process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with suppliers to resolve manufacturability, quality, and process-related concerns.
• Mentor and develop Manufacturing Engineers, technicians, and production personnel.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to less experienced engineering team members.