Target PR Range: 48-58/hr DOE Summary: The main function of a manufacturing engineer is to apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production. A typical manufacturing engineer has the ability to make engineering drawings and read and interpret blueprints. We are seeking a senior-level engineering contractor to own two high-priority workstreams: validating a highly customized piece of equipment (essentially a large, custom oven) and managing an external vendor through the design and implementation of an entirely new system. This is not a narrowly technical role — it combines hands-on engineering judgment with coordination and delivery leadership. Job Responsibilities: * Study time, motion, methods, and speed involved in maintenance, production, and other operations to establish standard production rate and improve efficiency. * Interpret engineering drawings, schematic diagrams, or formulas and confer with management or engineering staff to determine quality and reliability standards. * Read worker logs, product processing sheets, and specification sheets, to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications. * Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, and anticipated delays. * Prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate workflow, routing, floor layouts, material handling, and machine utilization. * Observe worker using equipment to verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards. * Observe workers operating equipment or performing tasks to determine time involved and fatigue rate using timing devices. * Evaluate data and write reports to validate or indicate deviations from existing standards. Equipment Validation – * Lead formal qualification and validation of a highly customized mechanical/thermal equipment system. * Apply structured validation discipline to non-standard, custom-built machinery with moving parts and heat-related operating conditions. * Independently define validation scope, approach, and success criteria for equipment whose risk profile spans performance consistency, safety, and process reliability. Project & Vendor Management – * Act as the company-side lead coordinating an outside vendor through the design of a new system. * Translate internal expectations into executable vendor deliverables and drive accountability throughout the engagement. * Oversee implementation and deployment of the resulting system, not just design discussions. * Keep workstreams on track across technical and external stakeholders. Skills: * Creativity, verbal and written communication skills, analytical and problem-solving ability. * Team player and detail oriented. * Ability to make sketches, engineering drawings and common computations. * Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawing, schematics and computer-generated reports. * Previous experience with computer applications and software related to engineering field, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD). Required Qualifications: * **Senior-level engineering contractor experience** with a demonstrated ability to step in quickly and operate with minimal ramp-up. * **Hands-on equipment validation experience**, particularly with machinery involving: * Ovens and thermal systems * Motors and rotating equipment * Custom or complex electromechanical machinery * **Strong project management discipline** — ability to plan, coordinate, and drive cross-functional workstreams to completion. * **Vendor management experience** — proven track record of managing third-party vendors, driving accountability, and bridging internal expectations with external deliverables. * Comfort working in **less standardized environments** where equipment is not off-the-shelf and validation approaches must be adapted. — Ideal Candidate Profile: * Can independently structure and drive a validation effort from ambiguity to execution. * Brings practical breadth across mechanical, rotating, and heat-based systems — not limited to purely software, documentation-only, or narrowly regulated validation work. * Operates with enough seniority to manage ambiguity, push external partners, and bridge engineering execution with delivery management. * Reduces the burden on the internal team by absorbing ownership and creating structure. — What Success Looks Like: * The custom equipment is validated and qualified with clear, defensible results. * The vendor-driven system design progresses on schedule with accountable deliverables. * Internal stakeholders have reduced management overhead because the contractor owns coordination end-to-end. * Both workstreams move forward in parallel without one blocking the other. Education/Experience: * Bachelor’s degree in engineering required. * 5-7 years’ experience required.