Manufacturing Engineer Job at Drake Plastics Ltd in Cypress

About Us:

Drake is a dynamic manufacturing company based in Cypress, TX. We are proud to serve leading customers such as SpaceX while fostering a collaborative, supportive workplace. Our employees are valued, empowered, and provided with hands-on training on specialized materials and equipment, along with ongoing opportunities for growth. At Drake, we believe in building success together.

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer will support the precision machining department by developing, improving, and optimizing shop floor processes, CNC programming, production/quality workflows, and job cost estimating and control. This role requires strong hands-on experience with machining applications, ERP systems (SAP Business One), and manufacturing documentation including routings and bills of materials (BOMs). The ideal candidate will act as the technical link between engineering, production, and quality, ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality output.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize machining processes for precision plastics parts.
• Create and modify CNC programs; provide direct support to machinists on the shop floor.
• Collaborate with production and quality teams to resolve manufacturing challenges and improve throughput.
• Establish, maintain, and update production routings, BOMs, and work instructions in SAP B1.
• Lead process improvements using lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support new product introductions and provide manufacturability input during quoting and set-up phase.
• Analyze production data and recommend process changes to improve quality, reduce scrap, and increase efficiency.
• Assist with tooling design, procurement, and management for machining processes.
• Train and mentor operators and technicians on new processes, equipment, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with company quality standards, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial / Mfg. Engineering, or related technical field (degree preferred but equivalent experience or certification acceptable).

• 3-5 years of direct experience in a manufacturing engineering or related role within a precision machining organization.
• Strong hands-on shop floor experience with CNC machining, set-up, and programming (Mastercam, CAM Assist, or similar).
• Solid knowledge of SAP Business One (or similar ERP) with demonstrated experience in routings, BOMs, and production order management.
• Experience with ISO 9001 or ISO 13485 quality systems.
• Strong understanding and functional interpretation of GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on process improvement and lean manufacturing.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and quality.

Work Environment

• Shop floor-based with frequent interaction in machining, quality, tooling, and production areas.
• Regular office/desk work for ERP, documentation, and engineering tasks.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with critical delivery schedules.