Sr. Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Aurora

Description

Become a key technical leader at RK Mission Critical as our Senior Manufacturing Engineer. In this role you will drive the development, improvement, and sustainment of robust manufacturing processes for our modular power and data center product lines. You'll lead assembly and integration process design, tooling and workstation development, and production sequencing to deliver efficient, high-quality, repeatable manufacturing execution. Partnering closely with Design Engineering, you will mitigate DFM/DFMA risks, align engineering documentation with production needs, and champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, and throughput.

This role offers the opportunity to shape world-class manufacturing processes and make a measurable impact on mission-critical infrastructure.

Self, Made, at RK

At RK, Self. Made. isn't a tagline, it's how work gets done. People here build more than projects; they build capability, confidence, and careers they can be proud of. With so much work designed and fabricated in-house, ideas move quickly from concept to shop floor to job site. Teams collaborate across disciplines, solve real-world challenges, and grow through hands-on work that truly matters.

RK Company Overview

As a second-generation, family-owned enterprise, RK Industries, LLC (RK) offers a diverse range of construction, manufacturing, advanced fabrication and building services. Led by Rick and Jon Kinning, RK represents seven distinct lines of business that work together to provide seamless project collaboration. Our exclusive building methodologies, accredited safety standards and professional execution allow us to turn our customers' greatest concepts into reality.

Position Summary

The Senior Manufacturing Engineer is a senior-level technical contributor responsible for developing, improving, and sustaining robust manufacturing processes that support RK Mission Critical's modular power and data center product lines. This position leads the design and continuous improvement of assembly and integration processes, production tooling, and build sequencing to ensure efficient, high-quality, and repeatable operations. The Senior Manufacturing Engineer partners closely with Design Engineering to identify and mitigate Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFMA) risks, ensuring alignment between engineering documentation and production execution.

Role Responsibilities

• Partner with Design Engineering to identify and mitigate Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFMA) risks during product development, supporting a smooth transition into production.
• Design, improve, and document assembly, integration, and testing processes for modular electrical and power infrastructure products.
• Review and provide detailed feedback on shop drawing structure and content, ensuring alignment with defined workstation layouts, build sequencing, and production requirements.
• Develop and implement tooling, fixtures, jigs, and material-handling solutions to improve safety, reduce waste, and enhance process repeatability.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of manufacturing BOMs, routings, and workstation sequencing within the ERP system, ensuring accuracy and alignment with defined processes.
• Lead and support lean manufacturing initiatives, including value stream mapping, standard work development, and flow optimization within assigned product lines or processes.
• Develop and maintain clear, structured manufacturing process documentation, including work instructions, control plans, and validation records.
• Collaborate with Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to improve First Pass Yield (FPY), reduce defects, improve cycle time, and support cost-reduction initiatives.
• Conduct and support structured root cause analysis (DMAIC, 8D, 5-Why, etc.) and assist in implementing and validating corrective actions.
• Support pilot builds, engineering builds, and process validation efforts to ensure scalable and repeatable production readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline required.
• 5-10 years of experience in…