Manufacturing Engineer
LTC · Custer, SD
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Certification
- Green Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 7 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at LTC (industrial) in Custer, SD. Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes, tooling, and production workflows.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience) · Green Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Green Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in South Dakota: typical posted base $68k–$102k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 7 manufacturing engineer openings in South Dakota, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Dakota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 1614 other live manufacturing postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $95k–$135k, from 481 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 50%
- ✓ Lean 42%
- ✓ Root cause 41%
- ✓ New product launch 40%
- ✓ Automation 31%
- ✓ Six Sigma 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Green Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at LTC
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting mentions a Green Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from LTCAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve product quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. This role supports production operations, troubleshoots manufacturing issues, and leads continuous improvement initiatives to ensure reliable and scalable manufacturing systems.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes, tooling, and production workflows.
- ◆Analyze production data to improve throughput, yield, and equipment efficiency.
- ◆Develop and maintain work instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- ◆Troubleshoot process issues and implement corrective actions using root cause analysis methods.
- ◆Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
- ◆Design and implement fixtures, jigs, and tooling to improve manufacturing productivity.
- ◆Support new product introduction (NPI) by evaluating manufacturability and establishing production processes.
- ◆Conduct time studies, capacity analysis, and line balancing to improve production efficiency.
- ◆Collaborate with quality teams to ensure compliance with product specifications and regulatory standards.
- ◆Evaluate new equipment, automation systems, and manufacturing technologies.
- ◆Support plant layout planning and workflow optimization.
- ◆Ensure manufacturing processes comply with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field required; minimum 5-7 years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
- ✓2–5 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
- ✓Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- ✓Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
Technical
Qualifications
- ✓Experience with CAD/Catia software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar) for tooling, fixture, or process design. (FiberSim experience would be beneficial)
- ✓Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as machining, composite fabrication, assembly, or automation.
- ✓Experience with Lean Manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work).
- ✓Familiarity with Six Sigma methodologies and statistical analysis techniques.
- ✓Knowledge of process control and quality tools such as:
- ✓PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
- ✓Control Plans
- ✓Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone)
- ✓SPC (Statistical Process Control)
- ✓Experience working with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
- ✓Ability to analyze manufacturing data using Excel, Minitab, or similar tools.
- ✓Familiarity with industrial automation systems, PLCs, sensors, and robotics (preferred).
- ✓Knowledge of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and engineering drawings.
- ✓Understanding process validation and capability analysis (Cp/Cpk).
- ✓Experience with equipment qualification, process validation, and production ramp-up is helpful.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
- ✓Experience with automation integration or Industry 4.0 technologies.
- ✓Experience supporting high-volume production environments.
- ✓Project management experience.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Manufacturing Engineer
1st Shift Schedule: Monday-Thursday 6am-3:30pm, Friday 6am-10am
This is an On-Site position working in office full time
Work Environment
- •Combination of office work and hands-on support on the manufacturing floor.
- •May require standing, walking, and occasional lifting while supporting production operations.