FN America, LLC is a U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-quality, reliable firearms for military, law enforcement and commercial customers worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia with manufacturing operations in Columbia, South Carolina, FN America is passionately committed to providing its customers with a portfolio of FN-branded products, training and support services that enhance user performance and safeguard their lives. For more information, visit us at or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Position Summary

The Director, Manufacturing Engineering develops machine tool strategies and standards for replenishment that determine the future of FN’s manufacturing capabilities in a growing and expanding business model for our current and future facilities. The Director, Manufacturing Engineering contributes to new product and process development and continuous improvement strategies while leading and developing a team of manufacturing engineers and maintenance technicians who support lean, high quality, high paced manufacturing operations across multiple shifts while driving standardization to support stable, modern manufacturing processes, the development of new processes and standards to launch new products, and advancement of our manufacturing technologies.  

Job Duties

Manufacturing Engineering

• Partners with Operations leadership team to provide strategic leadership for all manufacturing operations, including production, process engineering, and maintenance. 
• Directs the Manufacturing Engineering group in optimizing production support, cost reduction, presentation of material, lean manufacturing improvements, root cause analysis, process development and corrective action support across a multi-shift operation.
• Leads and manages all factory manufacturing engineering activities to ensure machine capability and process control.
• Develops the capital machinery spending plan to support FN America’s sustaining manufacturing and growth requirements.
• Collaborates with Design Engineering to solve DFM (Design for Manufacturing) issues as identified from quality/manufacturing and to develop processes for new product industrialization. Leads process development for production of documentation within the AS9100 quality system and provide high level technical expertise for prototype, pilot, and production support
• Inspects performance of machinery, equipment, and tools to verify their efficiency, and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies.
• Implements systems to ensure processes are operated and controlled to original specifications.
• Monitors Key Process Indicators (KPIs) and determines corrective measures to be taken as needed.
• Evaluates and implements development strategies for the team to ensure technical and leadership skills are adequate to support current and future manufacturing processes.
• Drives continuous improvement efforts in safety, quality, cycle time, machine availability and cost by enhancing the capability of existing processes and eliminating waste and/or variation. 
• Establishes department budgets, actions, and resource plans.
• Champions problem solving for chronic process issues.
• Leads the maintenance team with a focus on development and execution of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to improve Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE).
• Develops and implements standard procedures to monitor equipment for safety, performance, and effectiveness to shift from reactive to proactive measures. 
• Ensures critical spare parts are identified and all on-hand equipment parts are cataloged. 
• Assists with the deployment of IoT integration efforts with equipment and maintenance activities.
• Manages relationships with contractors and maintenance service providers. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant field is required. A master’s degree is preferred. 

Experience Requirements

15 years of progressively increasing experience in manufacturing engineering, assembly, and maintenance, with progressively increasing responsibility with a minimum of five years of leadership experience in a precision machining environment are required (may be concurrent).

Skills and Competencies

All FN America employees are expected to demonstrate accountability, collaboration, communication, customer focus, and innovation. Additional requirements of this position include:

• Demonstrated Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED), cost reduction and process improvement experience required. 
• Demonstrated lean experience with creating and/or modifying processes utilizing lean tools/methodologies required. 
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of Computer Numerical Control equipment, programming, setup, and operation required. 
• Plant expansion experience preferred.
• Structured, data driven approach to problem solving, and attention to detail required.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment required.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to foster collaboration and team building while developing technical skills within the organization.

Licenses/Certifications

PMP certification and recognized process improvement training (Lean/Six Sigma) preferred.

Working Conditions

Typical office environment. May be exposed to loud noises, toxic chemicals, and dangerous machinery when on the plant floor.   

All FN America employees have a responsibility to participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace and to comply with instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others. 

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

FN America, LLC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please email HR@FNAmerica.com or call: 803-736-0522. 

We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor.