Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. Join us.
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager is a site-based leader responsible for manufacturing engineering execution, technical problem solving, and team leadership at the West Union, South Carolina manufacturing facility. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure customer‑centric, safe, and reliable production while driving continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is an authentic, hands-on leader who is accountable for results, agile in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and collaborative across functions.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Manufacturing Engineering team at the West Union site, providing day-to-day direction, coaching, and development while fostering an authentic, collaborative, and inclusive team culture.
- Support and deliver improvements for each of the assigned Focus Factories in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Productivity, Cost and Morale.
- Support and execute the defined Engineering Strategies.
- Partner closely with Site Operations, Production Supervisors, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to support multi-shift manufacturing and resolve production issues with an agile, solutions-oriented approach.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, yield, scrap reduction, cycle time, equipment uptime, and overall process stability, remaining accountable for measurable results.
- Provide hands-on technical leadership on the production floor, including root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, and implementation of sustainable process improvements.
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and product changes at the site, ensuring strong design-for-manufacturability (DFM/DFA), risk mitigation, and smooth transitions into production.
- Develop and maintain standard work, process documentation, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, and test methods to ensure consistent execution across all shifts.
- Identify, justify, and support capital equipment, tooling, and automation investments that improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance.
- Ensure manufacturing processes comply with internal quality systems, regulatory requirements, and industry standards while reinforcing a safety-first mindset.
- Collaborate with suppliers, contractors, and cross-functional partners to implement innovative manufacturing solutions that enhance site performance and customer outcomes.
Required Skills & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 7+ years of manufacturing or process engineering experience in a production environment, including prior experience leading or mentoring engineers or technicians.
- Proven ability to lead teams in a plant-based setting while remaining accountable for safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Strong experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and structured problem-solving tools.
- Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with Operations and Production teams in a fast-paced, regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting electronics, electromechanical, or technology-enabled products, preferably within utilities, energy, or infrastructure markets.
- Effective communicator with the ability to influence at multiple levels and maintain an authentic, people-focused leadership style.
Preferred Skills & Experience
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or Business Administration.
- Hands-on experience with automation, test equipment, or advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Background supporting NPI ramp-ups, line modifications, or process industrialization in an operating plant.
- Demonstrated track record of innovative, site-level improvements delivering measurable gains in safety, quality, throughput, or cost.
Travel: 0-10%
Benefits Info:
This position also includes a competitive benefit package including; financial, social, health and wellbeing programs, paid vacation, 401k matching, employee stock purchase program, and more!
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Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!
The successful candidate's starting wage will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.
Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email Accessibility@itron.com.
Itron is transforming how the world manages energy, water and city services. Our trusted intelligent infrastructure solutions help utilities and cities improve efficiency, build resilience and deliver safe, reliable and affordable service. With edge intelligence, we connect people, data insights and devices so communities can better manage the essential resources they rely on to live. Join us as we create a more resourceful world: www.itron.com
