Job Description
Job Overview:
NOW HIRING: MANUFACTURING ENGINEER — MACHINING
Department: Manufacturing / Engineering
Reports To: Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Location: On-site only | 531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518 (No remote work available)
Schedule: Monday–Friday | Full-time
Compensation: Competitive compensation based on experience, technical depth, machining knowledge, industry background, and market data
Build Your Career with ACECO
We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer with strong machining expertise to develop, optimize, and support the manufacturing processes behind our custom crane and material handling equipment.
This role sits at the intersection of engineering and production. You'll work directly with the people who build our products — and with the engineers who design them — to make sure we're manufacturing efficiently, accurately, and on time.
We are looking for someone who understands what happens on the shop floor, can read a blueprint and see both the design intent and the manufacturing reality, and knows how to close the gap between the two.
The right person will spend time in the machine shop and on the production floor, not just behind a desk. You'll study our processes, identify what's working and what isn't, and drive real improvements — in cycle time, throughput, quality, and cost.
You won't get lost here. Your perspective will matter, your judgment will be relied upon, and your impact will be visible across the organization.
What This Role Really Is
This is a hands-on manufacturing engineering role focused on machining processes within a custom, engineer-to-order manufacturing environment.
ACECO builds electric overhead cranes, hoists, and heavy material handling equipment. Every product is engineered to order. That means standard playbooks only get you so far — you need to understand the fundamentals deeply enough to apply them to custom work, every time.
The Manufacturing Engineer owns the development and optimization of machining and material preparation processes. You'll optimize routing, work cell layout, and material flow. You'll perform time studies, support make-versus-buy decisions, provide design-for-manufacturability input, and lead lean initiatives tailored to an engineer-to-order environment.
You'll also play a key role in supporting capital equipment projects, the transition to a new ERP system, and collaboration with Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to keep manufacturing running at its best.
Success requires someone who can move comfortably between a conversation about machining tolerances on the shop floor and a design review with Engineering — and who can translate what they see in both settings into better processes, better decisions, and better outcomes.
Who Thrives Here — and Who Does Not
You'll do well here if you:
- Think like a manufacturer — you see a drawing and immediately consider how it gets made, not just what it looks like
- Are comfortable spending real time on the shop floor, not just reviewing data from your desk
- Understand machining processes deeply enough to optimize them, not just document them
- Can read blueprints and fabrication drawings and spot both design intent and manufacturing risk
- Enjoy collaborating across departments — Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, Safety
- See continuous improvement as a mindset, not just a project
- Are comfortable making make-versus-buy recommendations backed by real analysis
- Can perform time studies and translate the results into actionable process improvements
- Take ownership of outcomes rather than simply following instructions
This role is likely not a fit if you:
- Prefer working exclusively at a desk or in a lab environment
- Have engineering experience only in high-volume, repetitive manufacturing — our work is custom, every time
- Want to design products but not concern yourself with how they're manufactured
- Prefer theoretical process improvement without hands-on shop floor involvement
- Avoid difficult conversations about efficiency, quality, cost, or process change
- Are uncomfortable working full-time on-site in an active manufacturing environment
- Prefer maintaining legacy processes rather than driving real improvements
What Success Looks Like in the First Year
First 90 Days
- Build strong working relationships with Manufacturing leadership, machine shop and fabrication teams, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing
- Develop a thorough understanding of ACECO's products, manufacturing capabilities, and current machining processes
- Spend meaningful time on the shop floor learning how work flows through material prep, machining, fabrication, and assembly
- Begin reviewing released drawing packages with production to identify outsourcing scope for machining, heat treating, and specialty work
- Learn the current ERP system and understand how manufacturing data is structured
- Identify early opportunities for process improvement and quick wins
Second Quarter
- Own the review and scoping of outsourced services — machining, heat treating, and specialty work — including vendor vetting and pricing
- Begin performing time studies for part families in the machine shop and crane components in fabrication
- Provide design-for-manufacturability input during design reviews and contribute manufacturing input to estimating and quoting
- Support the ERP transition by ensuring manufacturing data is accurate, structured, and maintainable
- Collaborate with Engineering and Production to redline drawings for design changes
- Begin developing and improving manufacturing processes for material prep and machining
Third Quarter
- Drive measurable improvements in machining processes — routing, work cell layout, material flow, throughput, and rework reduction
- Lead lean initiatives tailored to the engineer-to-order environment — reducing cycle time, improving first-pass yield, and eliminating waste
- Support capital equipment projects with drawing reviews, installation planning, and coordination
- Collaborate on the development of manufacturing KPIs and continuous improvement metrics
- Provide routine feedback to Engineering on design improvements that increase quality and efficiency
Fourth Quarter
- Operate as a trusted manufacturing engineering resource across the organization
- Continue driving process optimization and standardization while maintaining flexibility for custom builds
- Support equipment purchase recommendations with data-driven analysis of capabilities and efficiency gains
- Identify new technology opportunities to support and advance manufacturing
- Contribute to building a stronger continuous improvement culture on the shop floor
Why Join ACECO?
Hands-On Engineering Impact
You'll work directly with the shop floor, not just review reports about it. Your improvements will be visible in the parts that come off the machines.
Custom, Complex Work
Every crane is engineered to order. You'll solve real manufacturing challenges on custom products — not optimize the same widget a million times.
Cross-Functional Visibility
You'll collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, Safety, and leadership. You'll understand the full picture.
A Business in Growth Mode
ACECO is continuing to invest in people, technology, equipment, capabilities, and operational scale. The work you do will support that growth directly.
ERP Transformation
You'll play a key role in ensuring manufacturing data and processes are ready for the next generation of systems.
Capital Projects and Technology
You'll support equipment purchases, facility improvements, and the identification of new technology to advance manufacturing capabilities.
What You'll Do
Manufacturing Process Development and Optimization
- Develop and improve manufacturing processes for material prep and machining
- Optimize routing, work cell layout, and material flow to improve throughput and reduce rework
- Perform time studies to obtain setup and run times for part families in the machine shop and crane components in fabrication
- Lead lean initiatives tailored to engineer-to-order environments — reduce cycle time, improve first-pass yield, and eliminate waste while maintaining flexibility for custom builds
- Maintain a deep understanding of manufacturing capabilities and areas where additional oversight is prudent
Outsourcing, Vendor Coordination, and Make-vs-Buy
- Review released drawing packages with production to identify scope for outsourced services — machining, heat treating, and specialty work
- Define and scope outsourcing requirements; obtain pricing and vet vendors for implementation
- For QAM work, drive collaboration with QA/QC for subcontracted work
- Provide manufacturing input to estimating and quoting, including labor hours and make-versus-buy decisions
Design for Manufacturability and Engineering Collaboration
- Provide design-for-manufacturability input during design reviews
- Supply and coordinate manufacturing input to estimating and quoting
- Collaborate with Engineering and Production to redline drawings for design changes and ensure in-process components and materials are updated
- Provide routine feedback to Production Engineering on design improvements and enhancements to increase quality and efficiency
Capital Projects, Technology, and Equipment
- Support CapEx projects with drawing reviews, installation planning, and coordination with necessary resources
- Collaborate on recommendations for equipment purchases to improve efficiency
- Identify new technology required to support manufacturing
ERP Support and Continuous Improvement
- Support the transition of the ERP system by ensuring manufacturing data is accurate, structured, and maintainable
- Collaborate in the development of manufacturing KPIs and implementation of a continuous improvement mindset
- Collaborate with Safety on plant equipment and processes related to EHS
Other duties as assigned.
What We're Looking For
This role requires full-time, on-site availability Monday–Friday.
Candidates should be located within a reasonable daily commuting distance of:
531 Old Swede Road
Douglassville, PA 19518
If relocation is required, the selected candidate must relocate prior to starting. American Crane & Equipment Corporation does not provide relocation assistance.
Ideal Candidates Should Be Able to Demonstrate the Following:
- Strong machining knowledge and hands-on manufacturing process experience
- Ability to interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, and project schedules
- Experience developing and optimizing manufacturing processes in a custom or engineer-to-order environment
- Practical understanding of lean manufacturing principles applied to low-volume, high-mix production
- Ability to perform time studies and translate results into actionable improvements
- Experience with make-versus-buy analysis and outsourcing coordination
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Purchasing
- Comfort working on the shop floor alongside production teams
- Effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Initiative and ownership mindset — identifies problems and drives solutions
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field strongly preferred
- Associate degree with significant relevant manufacturing engineering experience will be considered
- Equivalent demonstrated experience may be considered when supported by a strong technical manufacturing background
Experience
- Meaningful experience in manufacturing engineering with a focus on machining processes
- Hands-on machining experience — understanding of CNC machining, manual machining, tolerances, fixturing, and tooling
- Experience interpreting blueprints, fabrication drawings, and GD&T
- Experience in custom manufacturing, engineer-to-order, job shop, or low-volume/high-mix environments strongly preferred
- Experience performing time studies and developing standard work
- Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies
- Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing data management
- Experience supporting capital equipment projects — drawing reviews, installation planning, vendor coordination
- Experience with outsourcing coordination, vendor management, and make-versus-buy decisions
- Heavy equipment, crane, material handling, structural steel, or similar industrial manufacturing experience is a significant advantage
Technical & Manufacturing Skills
- CNC and manual machining processes
- Blueprint and fabrication drawing interpretation
- GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
- Time and motion studies
- Process routing and work cell layout
- Material flow and throughput optimization
- Lean manufacturing and waste elimination
- Design for manufacturability (DFM)
- Make-versus-buy analysis
- ERP systems and manufacturing data
- Capital equipment planning and installation support
- CAD software (ability to read and review)
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
Requirements
- Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship
- Ability to verify identity and employment authorization through Form I-9
- Eligibility to access information or technology governed by applicable U.S. export-control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810, EAR, and/or ITAR, where applicable
- Willingness to undergo a background check in accordance with applicable laws
- Willingness to undergo a pre-employment drug screen and randomized drug testing during employment
- Ability to work full-time on-site at ACECO Plant 1 in Douglassville, PA
- Ability to meet the posted work schedule and work additional hours when manufacturing or project needs require
- Ability to maintain reliable attendance and punctuality
- Willingness to follow all company safety policies and procedures
- Willingness to wear required PPE in all designated manufacturing areas
- Willingness to complete required safety, compliance, and role-specific training
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
Work Environment
This role involves a combination of office-based engineering work and regular presence on the manufacturing floor, in the machine shop, and in fabrication areas.
The Manufacturing Engineer will interact frequently with production teams, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Safety, and leadership. Significant time will be spent in active manufacturing areas observing processes, conducting time studies, and supporting production.
Appropriate PPE and adherence to all safety procedures are required in designated manufacturing areas.
Physical Demands
- Ability to sit for extended periods performing computer-based engineering work; frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and data entry
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach regularly while working on the manufacturing floor
- Ability to lift and carry materials typically up to 25–30 lbs occasionally
- Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing
- Comfort working in a manufacturing environment with typical shop conditions — noise, temperature variation, and proximity to heavy equipment and machinery
What's In It for You?
At ACECO, this role offers the opportunity to directly improve how a growing, privately held, custom-engineered manufacturing organization builds its products.
- Competitive compensation based on experience and capability
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off and paid company holidays
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
- Hands-on work with custom, complex products
- Direct impact on manufacturing efficiency, quality, and throughput
- Broad cross-functional exposure across Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Safety
- Opportunity to support capital projects, new technology, and ERP transformation
- Visible impact on organizational performance and growth
What to Expect From Our Hiring Process
Every application is reviewed by our internal Talent Acquisition team. We do not rely on automated screening tools.
We encourage applicants to tailor their resume to accurately reflect their manufacturing engineering experience, machining knowledge, process improvement results, cross-functional collaboration, and measurable outcomes.
We focus on candidates who demonstrate ownership, judgment, reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail throughout the application process.
Qualified candidates typically hear from us within a few business days depending on applicant volume.
During the interview process, candidates should be prepared to discuss specific examples involving machining process optimization, lean initiatives, time studies, design-for-manufacturability feedback, make-versus-buy analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving on the shop floor. We will ask follow-up questions to better understand your individual role, judgment, decision-making process, and outcomes.
Ready to Apply?
We are looking for a manufacturing engineer who understands machining, thinks like a problem-solver, and wants to make a real impact on how we build our products.
If you want to improve manufacturing processes inside a growing industrial organization that builds custom, engineered-to-order equipment, we encourage you to apply.
Submit your application online through our Career Center.
Build your career with ACECO.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
American Crane & Equipment Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The company maintains and observes employment policies that do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, age, ancestry and any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. This applies to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, overtime, job classifications, work assignments, promotions, demotions, layoffs, terminations, transfers, and all other conditions of employment.
This position requires:
- Valid proof of identity and authorization to work in the U.S. (Form I-9)
- Eligibility to access information or technology governed by U.S. export control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810. If government authorization is required for access to controlled technology, employment or start date may be delayed or withdrawn in accordance with applicable law
- Certain positions and projects may require the ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities in compliance with NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Parts 26 & 73)
The pay for this position is dependent on circumstances including an applicant's skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, market data, and other relevant factors.
American Crane & Equipment Corporation offers a wide array of comprehensive benefit programs and services including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts to our benefits-eligible employees. Additional benefits include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid time off, paid holidays, and disability coverage. Some benefits offerings are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works.
NOTE: American Crane & Equipment Corporation is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at American Crane & Equipment Corporation without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by American Crane & Equipment Corporation as a result of the referral or through other means.
Full-time | On-site
M-F 8:00AM-4:30PM
531 Old Swede Road Douglassville PA 19518
