Manufacturing Engineer
BS-level Process Engineering roles on Crosslinked list a median of $112k (610 that show pay).
Support injection molding and stamping production, troubleshoot defects, and launch new parts
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Hands-on floor time with both molding and stamping, direct customer contact, and a stated path to senior engineer.
Might not be for you. Production-support flavored — daily troubleshooting and PPAP documentation rather than open-ended materials R&D.
Adjacent materials roleSupport daily production on molding and stamping presses; troubleshoot short shots, flash, burrs; injection molding, insert molding
- Seniority
- Entry level
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- BS
- Experience
- 1–5 yrs
- Industry
- Automotive
- Role
- Process Engineering
Role details
Position Title: Manufacturing Engineer Level I, II
Company
Dial Tool Industries, LLC (“DIAL”)
Location
Addison, IL
Department
Engineering
Reports To
Engineering Manager
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Type
Full-time, on-site
Travel Requirement
As needed, up to 10%
Compensation
$70,000 - $95,000/year based on level and experience, plus company annual bonus eligibility
ABOUT DIAL
DIAL is a precision manufacturer of injection molded, insert molded, and metal stamped components for customers in the automotive, electrical/electronics, industrial/appliance, and medical markets. DIAL is part of a growing family of manufacturing companies, which gives our team access to shared resources and a broad range of capabilities.
ROLE SUMMARY
This role is built for an early-career engineer, 1–5 years out of school. You'll get hands-on experience with both molding and stamping, direct customer contact, and a clear path to becoming a senior engineer. Your job is to keep production running well, help launch new parts, and make our processes sharper.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
· Support daily production on molding and stamping presses. Troubleshoot part and process problems such as short shots, flash, burrs, and dimensional drift, then drive root cause and corrective action (8D, 5-Why).
· Review customer prints and CAD models for new RFQs. Give feedback on manufacturability, and help estimate press size, cycle time, and routings for quotes.
· Work with our outside mold and die builders on tool trials, first samples, corrections, and ongoing tool maintenance.
· Prepare and maintain PPAP/APQP documents, including process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, and work instructions.
· Implement engineering changes (ECNs) and keep process documentation and setup sheets current.
· Lead improvement projects that reduce scrap, cycle time, and changeover time. Design simple fixtures, gauges, and error-proofing.
· Partner with Quality on capability studies (Cpk), gauge R&R, and customer concerns.
· Serve as technical contact to customers for your assigned part families.
YOUR FIRST YEAR
· 0–3 months: Learn our presses, tooling, quality system, and production flow by spending most of your time on the floor with operators, setup techs, and toolmakers. Get to know the key part families and their common defects, and start handling day-to-day floor questions and quick fixes.
· 3–6 months: Become a go-to resource for production on setups, changeovers, and process problems. Track scrap, downtime, and cycle time on assigned presses, and lead your first improvement project in one of those areas. Support the engineering team on tool trials, sampling, and PPAP documentation.
· 6–12 months: Take responsibility for the day-to-day production performance of a group of presses or part families: keeping setups standardized, work instructions current, and recurring issues closed out. Deliver measurable results on scrap, uptime, or changeover time.
QUALIFICATIONS
· A bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Plastics Engineering, or Engineering Technology.
· 1–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience. Relevant co-ops and internships count toward Level I.
· The ability to read prints and apply GD&T, plus working CAD skills (SolidWorks or similar) and strong Excel.
· Comfort being on the floor, hands-on with equipment and tooling.
· Clear communication with operators, toolmakers, customers, and management.
NICE TO HAVE
· Exposure to injection molding (scientific molding coursework is a plus), progressive-die stamping, or insert molding.
· Familiarity with IATF 16949, PPAP, or FMEA.
· ERP experience.
LEVELING
· Level I (0–2 years): Works under close guidance from the Engineering Manager.
· Level II (2–5 years): Independently owns part families, launches, and quote inputs.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary
$70,000–$95,000, based on level and experience
Bonus
Annual bonus eligibility
Time Off
Paid time off and paid holidays
Benefits
DIAL offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision plans, pre-tax spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care FSA), voluntary life and AD&D, disability, and accident insurance. Benefits are available to employees working 30 or more hours per week, beginning the first of the month following 30 days of service. DIAL also offers voluntary 401k and Roth 401k.
SAFETY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role is based on-site at our Addison, IL manufacturing facility, with occasional traveling of up to 10%. The Manufacturing Engineer will regularly work in production and warehouse environments, and will periodically visit similar facilities. All company safety policies must be followed at all times, including PPE requirements, machine safety protocols, and EHS training. Safety is a core value at DIAL, and following OSHA and company safety standards is a condition of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS
While performing the duties of this role, proper PPE standards are expected to be met as the employee may need to spend time on the production floor, at supplier facilities, or other similar activities in addition to operating standard office / lab equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
This role will have access to proprietary information, customer data, pricing, processes, and manufacturing capabilities. All work products, designs, content, and materials created during employment are the property of DIAL. This role must comply with all company confidentiality, data protection, and information security policies.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
DIAL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including the Illinois Human Rights Act.
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