Sr. Manufacturing Engineer in Newark, California at Unigen

Title: Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Remanufacturing & Services

Department: Remanufacturing and Services

Location: Newark, CA

Reports to: Vice President of Remanufacturing and Services

Job Overview: The Senior Manufacturing Engineer develops, implements, and maintains manufacturing, remanufacturing, and product component repurposing methods, operational flows, and systems for Unigen's production lines. This role is responsible for driving production efficiency, estimating labor/NRE costs, writing clear Manufacturing Process Instructions (MPIs), and leading mechanical box build operations—specifically for high-density servers with complex, multi-level Bill of Materials (BOM) structures. Sitting at the intersection of technical execution and customer relations, the ideal candidate is an exceptional team player who collaborates seamlessly across Cross-Functional Teams (CFT) and directly with external clients to maximize component lifecycle extension and sustainability initiatives.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Process Development, Remanufacturing & Component Repurposing:
  • Develop, implement, and optimize cost-effective manufacturing, remanufacturing, and component repurposing processes, sequence of operations, and shop-floor routing aligned with product specifications and quality standards.

• Establish technical protocols and workflows to harvest, test, screen, and repurpose high-value components for re-assembly or secondary life applications.

• Write, maintain, and update detailed Manufacturing Process Instructions (MPIs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and visual work instructions for production operators.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across production lines, equipment layout, standard operating procedures, safety, and operator training.

• Design, test, or source specialized tooling, fixtures, and equipment to support efficient assembly, disassembly, component harvesting, rework, and remanufacturing operations.

• Mechanical Box Build & NPI Transfer:
  • Lead engineering execution for complex mechanical box builds, with a focus on enterprise servers featuring deep, multi-level BOM structures.

• Collaborate with design teams and clients to deliver Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Repairability/Remanufacturability/Repurposing insights.

• Coordinate product launches and revision releases, establishing production goals, training operators, and monitoring pilot builds.

• Costing, Change Management & Tooling:
  • Perform comprehensive product and process analysis to generate precise manufacturing/repurposing labor quotes and Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) estimates.

• Manage and document Engineering Change Orders (ECO) and Manufacturing Change Orders (MCO), updating MPIs and tooling while coordinating seamless cutovers on the shop floor.

• Design, order, and validate assembly and disassembly tooling, jigs, and fixtures.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Interface:
  • Serve as a primary engineering interface with clients, communicating technical status, repurposing/remanufacturing yields, process updates, and engineering resolutions clearly and professionally.

• Act as an active, supportive team player within Cross-Functional Teams (CFT)—partnering daily with Quality, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Production.

• Provide hands-on technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and process training to production supervisors, leads, and operators.

• Quality Analysis & Continuous Improvement:
  • Participate in root-cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) investigations for non-conforming products, yield drops, harvested component defects, and Return Material Authorizations (RMAs).

• Analyze shop-floor quality data to implement yield-enhancing strategies and minimize field failures.

Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• BS degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electronics) or equivalent practical experience.

• Minimum 6 years of related process, quality, or manufacturing engineering experience within an EMS, electronics remanufacturing, or component harvest/repurposing environment.

• Specialized Technical Expertise:
  • Mechanical Systems: Demonstrated hands-on experience in mechanical box build, system integration, component disassembly/repurposing, and cable/chassis routing—specifically with enterprise server architectures and multi-level BOM management.

• Process Documentation: Proven ability to author clear, concise, and structured Manufacturing Process Instructions (MPIs) and routing instructions for assembly and teardown/harvesting workflows.

• Software & CAD Tools: Proficiency in Gerber/Board/CAD viewer software, 2D/3D modeling and drafting software, and artwork drawing tools.

• MES & Traceability: Strong working knowledge of shop-floor controls, panacim MES, barcode/traceability interfaces, and tooling/maintenance management systems.

• Assembly & Inspection Equipment: Experience with Panasonic machine programming/interfaces, offline SPI, reflow profiling, conformal coating, strain gage analysis, scanner programming, Nordson Dage 3D X-ray inspection, and torque driver systems (e.g., Toolsnet).

• Soft Skills & Collaboration:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a track record of building positive relationships with customers and CFT peers.

• Collaborative mindset with a strong dedication to supporting shop-floor manufacturing and remanufacturing operations in a fast-paced environment.