JOB DESCRIPTION:
Job Title: DFM / Manufacturing Engineer
Department: Engineering
FLSA Job Status: Salary; Exempt
Location: Total Valve Systems
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for ensuring mechanical products composed of cast and machined components are optimized for manufacturability, cost efficiency, and production readiness. This role bridges the gap between product design intent and manufacturing execution by leading design for manufacturability (DFM), tolerance strategy, casting optimization, machining cost control, and production ramp support.
The DFM / Manufacturing Engineer works closely with Product Engineers, operations, suppliers, and production teams to ensure designs are properly prepared for volume production. This is a senior, hands-on technical role responsible for identifying manufacturability risks, preventing tooling mistakes, and driving disciplined manufacturing practices across the product line.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
- Lead Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews of mechanical designs.
- Refine cast and machined components to improve manufacturability and reduce cost drivers.
- Define datum structures and GD&T strategies for production-ready components.
- Perform tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure proper fit, form, and function.
- Ensure release-ready drawings and documentation are maintained within SolidWorks and PDM systems.
Casting & machining optimization
- Collaborate with foundries on casting tooling feasibility including draft, shrink, gating, and distortion considerations.
- Improve machining strategies to reduce cost, increase efficiency, and improve part quality.
- Support first article inspections and resolve dimensional or production issues.
- Identify and prevent tooling mistakes prior to production release.
Production Readiness
- Support pilot builds and production ramp activities.
- Identify and eliminate manufacturability risks during early production stages.
- Improve yield, scrap reduction, and assembly efficiency.
- Partner with operations and manufacturing teams to resolve build issues and improve processes.
Documentation & Engineering Governance
- Own manufacturing drawing quality and release readiness.
- Manage Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) and revision control processes.
- Work with draftsmen and engineering teams to execute CAD updates.
- Maintain a clean, scalable PDM structure to support design control and product documentation.
Product Variant Development & Platform Ownership
- Model and develop derivative product configurations based on defined requirements and code-driven configurations.
- Maintain scalable parametric CAD architecture within SolidWorks.
- Ensure new product variants adhere to manufacturing constraints and cost targets.
- Protect product platform integrity and control design variation across configurations.
- Release production-ready documentation for new configurations.
ACCOUNTABILITIES OF ALL EMPLOYEES:
- Using your best efforts and full capability daily to the work assigned to you by your manager.
- Advising your manager if you do not understand the work they have assigned to you, or if the assignment does not fit with your knowledge of the circumstances, current skills or available time and resources.
- Advising your manager of any situations or obstacles that could keep you from accomplishing the work assigned to you.
- Advising your manager of any situations or opportunities that could help you complete or improve the work assigned to you.
- Demonstrating work behaviors consistent with the company values and work within prescribed boundaries, including company policies, standards, procedures and any legislative requirements.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Maintains safe operations by keeping work area clean and organized and by adhering to safety procedures and regulations.
- Maintains continuity among work shifts by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
- Documents actions by completing required paper and/or electronic logs.
- Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities and reading technical publications.
- Participate in required meetings and training.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an Manufacturing Engineering type role
- Engineering Degree/Experience
- Excellent time management / multi-tasking
- Superior communication skills
- Organized and attention to detail
- Shipping / Logistics
- Internet research savvy
- Ability to find solutions to challenging opportunities
- Flexible to change in work structure
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
- Must be able to read and write English / additional languages a plus but not expected
- Ability to read and interpret common scientific and technical journals and blueprints.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
- Ability to apply concepts such as basic fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
COMPUTER & SOFTWARE SKILLS:
- Must be highly proficient in all MS Office Products
REASONING ABILITY:
- Above-Average Reasoning Ability
- Ability to prioritize daily based on degree of urgency
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES and REGISTRATIONS:
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimal (<5%) travel required typically to tradeshows/conferences or training.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The table below illustrates the frequency and types of physical requirements for this job.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
