I am a small startup company in Maple Plain MN looking for a talented engineer that is interested in working in a small company environment. No day is the same - along with the business owner and technical expert, you will support manufacturing (equipment & process), implement new equipment/fixture design, develop and execute thermal tests, and help drive a future expansion plan (layout, equipment selection, etc.)
● Own mechanical engineering for the production line: specify, source, install, commission, and troubleshoot equipment including the conveyor oven, compaction press, vacuum systems, and sealing stations.
● Complete hands-on equipment repairs and preventive maintenance (PM); establish and follow PM routines to minimize unplanned downtime.
● Design and implement equipment modifications and reliability improvements.
● Manage spare and replacement parts procurement — identify critical spares, specify parts, and source them from vendors.
● Analyze and improve throughput and capacity — cycle time, oven residence, station balance, and bottleneck identification — to meet the expanded capacity target and support the production ramp.
● Lead new product/process introduction for new panel sizes and configuration change: DFM review, process definition, fixturing requirements, and production qualification against product specification.
● Plan and conduct R&D and product validation testing — thermal-performance (thermal conductivity) testing, longevity and accelerated-aging testing, and materials validation — and use the results to guide product and process decisions.
● Develop and document test methods, protocols, and acceptance criteria, and maintain records that support product qualification and continuous improvement.
● Perform engineering calculations and root-cause analysis (thermal, vacuum, structural, and process) and drive corrective action on equipment and quality issues.
● Define and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, and quality checks; support thermal-performance and dimensional verification of finished panels.
● Coordinate with the Mechanical Designer to convert process requirements into tooling, fixtures, and equipment modifications.
● Interface with equipment vendors and contractors on lead times, specifications, and installation, including basic utility and electrical coordination for new equipment [NEC-compliant sizing with the electrician of record].
● Support the capacity-expansion program: production readiness, capacity planning, cost/margin inputs, and technical response to production and customer requests.
Required Qualifications
● Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field (or equivalent engineering experience).
● 3–5+ years in manufacturing, process, or equipment engineering, ideally in a small- to mid-size operation.
● Demonstrated ownership of equipment installation, commissioning, and process improvement.
● Strong fundamentals in mechanical design, thermal/fluid concepts, and engineering problem-solving; proficient in 3D CAD.
● Practical, hands-on approach — able to work on the floor, run trials, and make decisions with incomplete data.
Preferred Qualifications
● Experience with vacuum systems, hydraulics, and thermal management is highly preferred.
● Experience with drying/curing ovens, sealing/pouching, presses, or insulation/composite manufacturing.
● Hands-on equipment maintenance, repair, and reliability experience.
● Exposure to lean/continuous-improvement methods and capacity modeling.
● Familiarity with R&D or product validation testing — thermal-performance (thermal conductivity / ASTM C518), longevity/aging, or materials validation — and with quality-system practices.
● Comfort supporting a product-launch or capacity-expansion program from technical, cost, and scheduling angles.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
● Manufacturing and office environment; regular time on the production floor.
● Occasional lifting up to [40] lbs; standing, bending, and working with production equipment.
● Exposure to normal manufacturing conditions (fine powders, adhesives, heat from ovens, and vacuum/pressurized equipment) with appropriate PPE and safety practices.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.