Group Lead Machining Manufacturing Engineer
FN America · Columbia, SC
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at FN America (industrial) in Columbia, SC.
- They ask for
- degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Black Belt, Green Belt, SPC, Machining, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in South Carolina: typical posted base $90k–$123k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 43 manufacturing engineer openings in South Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 42 other live manufacturing postings in South Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $90k–$123k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 44%
- ✓ Lean 44%
- New product launch 30%
- Root cause 30%
- Welding 26%
- Team leadership 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Black Belt, Green Belt, SPC, 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 FN America
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 Black 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 FN AmericaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Lead Machining Manufacturing Engineer coordinates the activities of a team of manufacturing engineers to ensure proper alignment with business goals and requirements.
Job Duties
- ◆Leads manufacturing engineering team activities to support deliverables.
- ◆Sets objectives and drives team performance.
- ◆Conducts Design for Manufacturing Analysis.
- ◆Able to conduct 90% of all ME I, II, and III tasks.
- ◆Reviews the work of the team and approaches methodologies to identify waste reduction and/or process improvement opportunities.
- ◆Interfaces with product engineering and product management to ensure team deliverables and work scope are aligned with design and customer expectations as well as manufacturing processing requirements.
- ◆Serve as a Subject Matter Expert Manufacturing Engineer in a highly cross-functional environment with engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, product management and suppliers to optimize cost competitiveness and manufacturability.
- ◆Supports new product development and continuous improvement projects by providing guidance on manufacturing processes to determine appropriate use of technology as well as capability.
- ◆Documents technical data generated by the assigned projects consistent with engineering policies and procedures.
- ◆Leads interaction with our development partners to establish appropriate tooling and process equipment strategies.
- ◆Organizes and coordinates meetings with cross functional teams to ensure operational readiness.
- ◆Leads and coaches team through problem solving efforts.
- ◆Supports development of existing team members and trains new team members.
- ◆Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering is required. A master’s degree in engineering or a business discipline is preferred.
Requirements
Five years of experience in an engineering position and experience in precision machining are required. Leadership and project management experience, as well as experience with Design for Manufacturing, cost reduction, and process improvement, are preferred.
Skills and Competencies
All FN America employees are expected to demonstrate accountability, collaboration, communication, customer focus, and innovation. Additional
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Description
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 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.
of this position include
- •Ability to plan work and use meaningful metrics to evaluate project status and provide performance visibility
- •Ability to foster collaboration and team building
- •Ability to read and understand blue prints
- •Knowledge of geometric tolerancing
- •Ability to conduct basic tolerance analysis
- •Able to communicate effectively and work within a team environment
- •Knowledge of capital appropriation evaluation and analysis
- •Knowledge of mechanical principles, machining practices, the properties of metals, and the application of mathematics and dimensions to create part processes.
- •Working knowledge of computer systems and data processing.
- •Familiarity with computer-controlled machine tools as well as conventional machine tools with exposure to high volume automated production equipment
- •Knowledge of statistical process control
- •Ability to evaluate processes to incorporate Lean tools and methodologies with reinforcement within the team
Tools
Mastercam, Espirit, Microsoft Office
Licenses/Certifications
Lean Green Belt or Black Belt preferred
Working Conditions
Typical office environment with some travel between buildings and to other locations required. May be exposed to loud noises, toxic chemicals, and dangerous machinery when on the plant floor. Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
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.