[Hiring] Advanced Manufacturing Engineer @HireIQ Solutions

Role Description

This is a highly specialized advanced manufacturing role focused primarily on powder coating and paint systems, with powder coat expertise being the clear priority. The person in this role will serve as the subject matter expert for automated powder coating processes across multiple manufacturing facilities, helping resolve systemic quality issues, improve consistency, standardize best practices, and support long-term manufacturing readiness. The position is designed for someone who is deeply knowledgeable in automated conveyor-based powder coating systems and can troubleshoot, improve, and stabilize processes rather than simply operate or maintain them. The role sits within an advanced manufacturing team of subject matter experts and will partner closely with plant leadership, maintenance, manufacturing engineering, EHS, purchasing, and production teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to improve powder coating and paint process capability, consistency, and manufacturing readiness across multiple plants.
• Serve as the go-to subject matter expert for automated powder coating systems, including troubleshooting defects, identifying root causes, and driving corrective actions.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, deployment, and standardization of advanced manufacturing technologies and process improvements across production sites.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, EHS, and production teams to optimize scalable, high-efficiency production systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, waste reduction, cost savings, and product quality.
• Assess capabilities at multiple manufacturing sites and develop improvement roadmaps tied to standardization and quality performance.
• Support preventive maintenance practices and process discipline on powder coating equipment without serving as a maintenance technician.
• Improve treatment, wash, pretreatment, post-treatment, and wastewater-related process performance tied to coating quality.
• Guide teams in the use of modern analytics, connected systems, and predictive tools that improve decision-making and process control.
• Track and report on key performance indicators, project milestones, return on investment, and documented cost savings.
• Spend significant time on the production floor with operators and plant teams to observe processes firsthand, build credibility, and drive practical improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Chemical, or a related Engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5–7+ years of experience with automated powder coating systems in a manufacturing environment is strongly preferred, with subject matter expertise being the highest priority.
• Strong experience with automated conveyor-type powder coating systems is required.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize coating defects, troubleshoot root causes, and implement sustainable process improvements.
• Knowledge of wash, pretreatment, treatment, post-treatment, and wastewater processes is required.
• Preventive maintenance knowledge related to powder coating equipment is important.
• Strong knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies, process optimization, Lean, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Kaizen and Lean exposure is important; Six Sigma or Green Belt certification is helpful but not required.
• Conveyor system knowledge is important.
• Experience with e-coating, electrostatic coating, tank car coatings, or similar adjacent coating processes may translate well.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Floor-based, hands-on approach is essential; this is not a desk-only role.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in a combination of remote/office and manufacturing environments with frequent visits to production floors.
• Exposure to seasonal temperature changes, noise, dust, and occasional chemical fumes while in manufacturing areas.
• Required use of appropriate PPE in production environments.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs during facility visits.
• Travel is expected to be approximately 75%, particularly early on, to support implementation and standardization across sites. Candidates based in one of the plant locations may be able to reduce overall travel.

Why Join

This is an opportunity to become the recognized powder coating subject matter expert across multiple manufacturing sites and make a visible impact on quality, consistency, and cost performance. The role offers the chance to solve complex process issues, drive standardization, influence premium product quality, and generate measurable value across a growing manufacturing organization. For the right person, it is a strong opportunity to move from traditional plant-level management into a more specialized, high-impact role centered on technical leadership and operational improvement.