Ascentec Engineering is hiring a Production Engineer at our Tualatin, Oregon headquarters.

The Production Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, and supporting manufacturing processes to achieve safe, efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective production. This position works closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to identify constraints, eliminate waste, improve throughput, and ensure production requirements are consistently met.

The Production Engineer serves as a key technical resource on the manufacturing floor and uses data, engineering principles, Lean Manufacturing, and problem-solving methodologies to improve operational performance.

This position is onsite (not remote/not hybrid) and is not eligible for Visa sponsorship or transfer of Visa sponsorship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Production & Process Engineering:

• Develop, document, and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
• Analyze production processes to identify bottlenecks, constraints, waste, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop efficient methods for machining, fabrication, assembly, inspection, material handling, and other manufacturing operations.
• Establish and maintain standard work, cycle times, labor standards, and process documentation.
• Support new product introduction, process changes, and production transfers.
• Assist with determining equipment, tooling, fixture, material, and labor requirements.

Continuous Improvement:

• Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, and Theory of Constraints.
• Identify and eliminate sources of downtime, setup losses, waiting, scrap, rework, and unnecessary motion.
• Analyze production data and develop improvement plans based on measurable results.
• Track and report improvements in productivity, capacity, quality, and cost.

Production Support:

• Provide daily engineering support to production personnel and supervisors.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing problems and coordinate corrective actions.
• Assist with resolving issues involving machines, tooling, fixtures, finishing, materials, programming, quality, and process capability.
• Support production during equipment changes, new jobs, difficult setups, and process interruptions.
• Work directly with machinists and operators to identify practical improvements to processes and methods.

Capacity & Constraint Management:

• Analyze machine and labor capacity to support production planning.
• Identify production constraints and develop plans to improve constraint utilization.
• Monitor machine utilization, downtime, throughput, and production efficiency.
• Support decisions regarding overtime, additional equipment, tooling, staffing, and process changes.
• Evaluate make-versus-buy and outsourcing opportunities when appropriate.

Quality:

• Partner with Quality to investigate scrap, rework, defects, and customer issues.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive action activities.
• Develop process controls to prevent recurring quality problems.
• Assist with process capability studies and implementation of mistake-proofing methods.
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet applicable engineering, quality, and customer requirements.

Tooling, Fixtures & Equipment:

• Design or coordinate the development of fixtures, tooling, gauges, and other manufacturing aids.
• Evaluate tooling and equipment performance and recommend improvements.
• Assist with equipment selection, installation, qualification, and process validation.
• Work with Maintenance to address recurring equipment-related production issues.

Data & Performance Management:

• Develop and maintain production performance metrics.
• Analyze KPIs including:
  • Schedule adherence
  • Throughput
  • Productivity
  • Machine utilization
  • Downtime
  • Scrap and rework
  • First-pass yield
  • Setup time
  • Cycle time
  • On-time delivery
• Use data to identify trends and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to management and production leadership.

Safety:

• Promote safe manufacturing practices and participate in safety improvement initiatives.
• Identify and address process-related safety hazards.
• Ensure new processes and equipment incorporate appropriate safety considerations.
• Support compliance with company safety policies and applicable regulations.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or closely related engineering field.
• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift 30-60lbs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with operators, machinists, supervisors, engineers, and management.

Preferred:

• Experience in a machine shop, CNC machining, fabrication, or precision manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of Theory of Constraints.
• Experience with CNC machining processes, tooling, fixtures, and cutting strategies.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• CAD/CAM experience.
• Experience with statistical analysis or SPC.
• Experience developing standard work and time studies.

Core Competencies:

• Manufacturing process knowledge
• Analytical problem solving
• Root-cause analysis
• Continuous improvement
• Project management
• Data analysis
• Technical communication
• Decision making
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Shop-floor leadership
• Ability to prioritize under pressure

Compensation / Benefits:

• $85,000 to $100,000 per year DOE
• Medical / Dental / Vision
• 401k with company match up to 4%
• Quarterly Bonus Program
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Tuition Assistance or Reimbursement
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off / paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Programs

Applicant must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to employment.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Ascentec Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Ascentec Engineering is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.