Manufacturing Engineering Specialist

Standard Job Description

The Work

Join the Kanata Operations Team! We are looking for a talented and motivated Manufacturing Engineering Specialist.

Job Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer will serve as a key link between design, production, and quality functions. This role is responsible for supporting production, translating product designs into manufacturable, cost‑effective processes while ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. The candidate will lead process design, tooling development, capacity planning, and plant layout project work, using data‑driven analysis, and Lean Six Sigma principles.

Performs in a collaborative environment to develop and implement manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, fabrication, and material handling. Drives adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement. Creates and analyzes 3D based model data environment to optimize manufacturing process and digital work instructions. Leverages understanding of materials and automatic processes to define operations procedures and build sequences to drive operational excellence. Evaluates performance (including IoT devices, etc.) of equipment and tools to verify their efficiency and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure operational excellence. Leverages factory data to develop statistical process control approaches and integrates reporting and data analytics solutions for continuous improvement. Provides input to product design regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.

Basic Qualifications

Core responsibilities:

Process Design & Implementation

• Design production processes
• Determine equipment and tooling requirements
  
  

Process Optimization, Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Apply Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other methodologies
• Identify waste, reduce cycle time, improve throughput
• Lead Define/Measure/Analyze/Improve/Control(DMAIC) projects with measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Utilize Automation Technologies to streamline production processes
• Stay updated on industry trens and new manufacturing technologies
  
  

Tooling & Fixture Design

• Identify and commission tooling and fixtures required to support production
• Ensure supporting equipment calibration based on production needs.
  
  

Production Capacity & Layout Planning

• Conduct capacity analysis
• Recommend plant layout changes
• Support new equipment installation
• Evaluate line balancing and takt time alignment.
  
  

Cost Analysis & Cost Reduction

• Prepare cost/benefit analyses for proposed process changes
• Identify opportunities to reduce material, tooling, and labour costs.
  
  

Root Cause and Corrective Action Implementation

• Perform Structured root cause analysis on production defects and implement corrective action
• Troubleshoot daily production issues to minimize downtime
  
  

Quality & Compliance Support

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance(QA)/Quality Compliance (QC) teams
• Ensure processes meet specifications and regulatory standards
  
  

Training & Knowledge Transfer

• Train production staff on new procedures and equipment
• Develop training materials and conduct workshops
  
  

Required Skills, Qualification And Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
• Master’s degree is considered a plus.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 5+ years in a manufacturing or production engineering role
• Preferably within a related industry
• Prior experience in industrial engineering roles is an asset
  
  

Desired Skills

Desired Skills, qualifications

• SAP, Windchill, MS Excel, Visio, Power Point
• Solidworks and Colab
  
  

Core Competencies (Behavioral & Technical)

Competency

Description

Analytical Thinking

Able to dissect complex problems into actionable solutions.

Process Mindset

Focus on workflow efficiency, waste elimination, and scalability.

Collaboration

Works with Design, Supply Chain, QA, and Operations.

Communication

Translates engineering concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.

Adaptability

Thrives in fast‑paced environments, handles ambiguous problems.

Quality Focus

Passionate about delivering defect‑free, compliant products.