Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer-Filtration & R&D Support
Location: Hickory, NC
Employment Status: Full Time
Classification: Exempt
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; additional hours, including evenings or weekends, may be required based on operational needs
Reports to: Director of Manufacturing
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Pay Range: $90,000 - $110,000 annually (depending on experience and qualifications)
Position Summary: This position leads the design, modification, and improvement of manufacturing equipment and processes to strengthen quality, productivity, and operational scalability. This role manages process optimization efforts, conducts validation and laboratory testing, and partners with R&D to support product trials and scale ups. The engineer drives continuous improvement initiatives, oversees capital projects, and ensures full compliance with ISO, GMP, and other regulatory requirements. Working closely with production, quality, and external contractors, the position resolves complex process issues, develops documentation and training, and contributes technical expertise to new product development, sales, and marketing. The role also provides clear written project updates and supports overall operational excellence across media line and related manufacturing activities.
Essential Functions
• Process & Equipment Design
o Design, modify, and implement manufacturing equipment and processes to improve quality, productivity, and scalability.
o Collaborate with internal departments to identify opportunities and determine the feasibility of designing new equipment or modifying existing machinery based on current and future business needs, technology, space, time constraints, and economic factors.
• Validation & Trials
o Lead product and equipment validation activities for changes to existing products and new product launches, including protocol development, execution, and approval.
o Conduct laboratory testing (e.g., life and efficiency tests) to support validations, calibrations, change controls, and quality investigations.
o Support R&D trials and scale-up activities ensuring robust process capability and compliance with internal and external standards.
• Continuous Improvement
o Optimize manufacturing processes to meet safety, quality, and cost objectives while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
o Initiate and manage projects to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and enhance process reliability, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
o Lead and coordinate strategic and tactical manufacturing engineering initiatives to enhance process efficiency, drive operational excellence, and support long term business objectives.
o Develop and manage capital plans within approved budgets to support equipment upgrades, process improvements, and manufacturing scalability.
o Perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions to resolve process issues and drive continuous improvement in filtration media and related processes.
o Establish and maintain all media line and related manufacturing processes in accordance with ISO, GMP, and other applicable certification requirements to ensure consistency, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Collaboration & Documentation
o Collaborate with production, R&D, and quality teams to resolve equipment and process issues and implement sustainable solutions.
o Develop installation, maintenance, and validation documentation; provide training to operations and technical staff.
o Manage contractor selection and performance, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
Other Duties
• Provide technical data and insights to support sales and marketing initiatives, including product literature.
• Actively contribute to R&D and new product development teams, offering manufacturing expertise and trial support.
• Prepare concise written reports for project updates and final outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
This is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities. These items may change, or new items may be assigned with or without notice.
Education Requirement
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical, Industrial, Paper Science, or related discipline) required.
Professional certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or quality/validation credentials) preferred.
Experience Requirement
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering experience in a regulated or industrial manufacturing environment (e.g., filtration, materials, chemical processing).
• Hands-on experience designing, modifying, and optimizing manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Direct involvement in validation, new product introduction, process scale-up, and continuous improvement initiatives within ISO, GMP, or comparable quality systems.
• Demonstrated leadership of engineering projects that improve safety, quality, cost, capacity, or operational performance.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) Required
• Strong command of manufacturing engineering principles, including process design, equipment capability, material flow, and scale-up.
• Working knowledge of validation, change control, and regulated manufacturing requirements.
• Ability to analyze process data and apply structured problem-solving or statistical methods to drive sustainable improvements.
• Proven ability to diagnose complex equipment and process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering projects, balancing scope, timelines, and resources.
• Capability to develop technical documentation, validation protocols, operating standards, and training materials.
• Effective collaboration with production, R&D, quality, and external partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated engineering judgment, independence, and prioritization skills.
• Consistent focus on safety, quality, and compliance.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Regular Requirements
• Sitting for extended periods to perform computer-based and documentation tasks.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 10 pounds.
• Repetitive use of hands for writing, keyboarding, grasping, and holding tools or materials.
Occasional Requirements
• Standing and walking on normal surfaces within office, lab, warehouse, and production environments.
• Lifting and carrying objects up to 35 pounds.
• Pushing objects up to 100 pounds, such as equipment or carts.
• Climbing ladders, twisting and turning, reaching outward and overhead, bending, and squatting as needed to access equipment or workstations.
Vision Requirements
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus for reading screens, documents, instruments, and equipment.
Hearing Requirements
• Adequate hearing for phone and in-person communication with internal colleagues and external business contacts.
• Sufficient visual acuity to read computer screens, printed materials, and technical documentation.
Working Conditions
This position primarily operates within a standard business office environment, with occasional work performed in warehouse, laboratory, and production areas. Employees may be exposed to moderate noise levels, fumes, dust, chemicals, temperature variations (heat/cold), and allergens, particularly when working outside the office setting.
Work may require moving between different areas of the facility to support manufacturing, testing, troubleshooting, or project activities. Conditions in these environments can vary based on production schedules, equipment operation, and material handling requirements.
EEO Policy Statement:
Gusmer Enterprises, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Gusmer will also consider requests for reasonable accommodations made by applicants and employees on an individualized basis, including those based on disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, where such accommodations do not impose an undue burden on the business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.