Manufacturing Engineer

Acara Solutions – Manufacturing Engineer, Richmond, VA

Acara Solutions is looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to work with our client in Richmond, VA.

• Direct Placement
• $95k-$105k + annual bonus (performance based)
• First shift
• Comprehensive benefits package

This is a unique opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineer to design, implement, and improve production operations to support an exciting growth opportunity for our company. This position is hands‑on and requires a significant amount of time on the manufacturing floor working collaboratively with operators, maintenance, supervisors, and managers. The Manufacturing Engineer will also serve as a key link between Sales/Applications Engineering and Production, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement as well as driving root‑cause troubleshooting initiatives to ensure the reliability of existing equipment and processes.

This is a high‑visibility position that is central to supporting a culture of continuous improvement through employee engagement.

• Hands‑on Engineering Improvements: Spend significant hands‑on time on the manufacturing floor, working collaboratively with operators, maintenance technicians, and leadership to observe, understand, document, and improve machine and process reliability, efficiency, and throughput.
• Root Cause Troubleshooting: Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality and/or Safety teams to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical and/or electrical production issues by listening to and incorporating their feedback, as well as using root‑cause analysis and structured problem‑solving techniques to drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Buy‑in: Motivate employee participation and genuinely listen to stakeholder input and feedback to achieve buy‑in for improvement initiatives.
• Project Management: Manage expense and capital projects from concept to completion, including research, justification, proposal development, scheduling, change management, installation, training, business integration, and final handover.
• Milestone Planning and Accountability: Create appropriate milestones and countermeasures to ensure deadlines are met.
• Multi‑Project Ownership and Resilience: Manage multiple projects and shifting priorities, demonstrating ownership and resilience in overcoming obstacles.
• Clear and Effective Communication: Prepare and clearly present project ideas, objectives, and timelines to all levels of the organization, supported by hands‑on observations as well as performance data analysis.
• Design and Fabrication: Apply design and fabrication skills to improve mechanical, electrical, and production systems with custom tooling, fixtures, and layouts.
• Subject Matter Expert: Establish best practices/SOPs/WIs as the SME of equipment and associated processes, then train Production and Maintenance staff to ensure process and equipment safety, capability, reliability, and efficiency.

Required Skills /

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 1+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production engineering role, preferably in a custom or high‑mix environment.
• 1+ years of experience troubleshooting equipment.
• 1+ years of experience onboarding new equipment.

Preferred Skills /

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, automation, and industrial equipment.
• Experience with project planning, justification, execution, and integration.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Self‑managing and correcting, adjusting to feedback from all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, AutoCAD, etc.) for fixture development and equipment floorplan layout generation.
• Familiarity with TPM, predictive maintenance, and reliability‑centered maintenance practices.

After…