Manufacturing Engineer, Sheet Metal

VDL Industries Gainesville LLC is looking for an experienced Sheet Metal Engineer to join our team. The candidate will be responsible for developing sheet meal processes for new projects. Responsibilities include sheet metal design, programming, and process optimization. The candidate will need to have a strong background in problem solving and supporting post processes such as welding, machining, and surface finishing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Project Team to understand requirements for sheet metal parts. Provide estimates for both processing time and programming time.
• Flexibility in creating programs for both high mix, low volume and high-volume production runs in TruTops and Bysoft.
• Understand customer technical documents and general standards to generate effective programs.
• Understanding of material properties and identifying equivalent materials as needed.
• Develop, configure, and optimize laser and bending programs for parts with tolerances up to 0.25mm in a multitude of materials, predominantly stainless steel and aluminum.
• Assess measurement requirements and advise quality personnel.
• Develop best practices, routines, and innovative solutions to improve production rates and quality of output.
• Work with project management on changes in project scope, schedule, and costs. 
• Identify tooling and fixture requirements for sheet metal parts. Design custom bending tools for difficult parts if needed.
• Perform bend tests and build bend tables for new tools and materials.
  
• Participating with functional project teams focused on improving labor efficiency and reducing overhead costs.
• Provide daily support for production processes, materials, and equipment to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals.
• Collaborate with R&D, Process Development, Quality, Production, Regulatory, Equipment Engineering, Supply Chain, and Marketing to ensure project success.
• Support both new product development and ongoing product improvements through activities such as process capability studies, Six Sigma and Value Improvement projects, and documentation preparation.
• Develop plant layout and product flows using various tools such spaghetti diagrams, value stream maps and bottleneck analysis.
• Define shop floor visual management cues using 5s, Andon’s, Kanban, Kaizen, and JIT methodologies.
• Design, procure, fabricate, and maintain production equipment, tooling, and fixtures.
• Troubleshoot new and existing products and processes related to design, material, or production issues.
• Apply root cause analysis and process improvement methodologies to resolve issues across diverse manufacturing processes.
• Support investigations into non-conformance and implement corrective/preventive actions.
• Prepare production work instructions, technical reports and documentation for operational excellence.
• Identify, implement, and manage equipment needs to support production requirements.
• Train or provide work direction to operators and technicians as needed.

• Develop and optimize production and assembly processes for subassembly and full tool integration, including repeatability and sustainability
• Support first article builds through the new product introductions (NPI) process from prototype to production
• Implement lean manufacturing principles to improve efficiency and reduce waste

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering; or equivalent experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification
• Strong understanding and application of Lean and/or Six Sigma principles
• 5+ years of progressive experience in high-tech manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with high-mix, low-volume builds and pilot production
• SolidWorks sheet metal experience or equivalent required.
• Working with international material standards (ASTM, ISO, DIN) a plus.
• Experience with Trumpf and Bystronic systems a plus.
• Strong understanding of CNC Machining, MIG and TIG welding, Sheet Metal Manufacturing, and cleanroom protocols
• Proficiency in CAD tools, ERP systems, and data analysis software (e.g., Excel, Python)
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills

Physical Requirements:

• Exhibit good interpersonal skills to communicate change, train shop employees and work with management.

• Ability to move around the facility and visit production areas, which may include walking and standing for most of the time.
• Hybrid work between GEMBA and office. Candidate must be able navigate both work environments effectively.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to occasionally lift 35 pounds.
• Must be able to concentrate and remain focused in an open office environment with potential distractions
• Occasional travel may be required for training or coordination with other VDL locations.