Cold Forming Manufacturing Engineer - metal forming

Job Description

Cold Forming Manufacturing Engineer
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Location: Waco, TX

Salary: $150,000 - $170,000/year

Drive Advanced Manufacturing Excellence Across Multiple Production Sites
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Join a leading aerospace and manufacturing organization where you'll play a critical role in developing, optimizing, and launching high-volume metal manufacturing processes. This position offers the opportunity to work with advanced machining and cold forming technologies, support manufacturing operations across multiple facilities, and influence production performance on a global scale.

If you enjoy solving complex manufacturing challenges, leading process improvements, and working hands-on with production teams, this role offers significant impact and career growth.

What You'll Do
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* Develop, optimize, and validate machining and cold forming processes for high-volume production.
* Establish process capability and performance standards using DOE, SPC, and capability studies.
* Analyze material flow, tooling performance, forming loads, and machining processes to improve quality and throughput.
* Troubleshoot production issues across domestic and international manufacturing locations.
* Design, specify, and qualify tooling, dies, punches, fixtures, rolls, and machining equipment.
* Lead machine acceptance testing, tooling validation, and production ramp-ups.
* Support new product introductions, pilot builds, PPAPs, FAIs, and production launches.
* Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to reduce scrap, downtime, and process variation.
* Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing defects.
* Partner with suppliers on materials, heat treatment, coatings, and process improvements.
* Perform supplier audits and capability assessments.
* Train engineers, operators, and manufacturing teams during launches and process changes.
* Serve as a technical liaison between manufacturing plants, suppliers, and engineering teams.

What You'll Bring
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* Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
* 10+ years of experience in machining and/or cold forming manufacturing environments.
* Strong knowledge of metal forming processes, machining fundamentals, and tooling systems.
* Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.
* Proven success working across multiple manufacturing sites or supplier-facing environments.
* Ability and willingness to travel up to 75%.
* Strong problem-solving, process improvement, and project leadership skills.

### Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with cold heading, progressive forming, or precision machining.
* Knowledge of steels, alloys, heat treatment, and surface coatings.
* Experience working with international manufacturing operations or global suppliers.
* Six Sigma Green Belt or similar certification.