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Manufacturing Engineer

Pj-Trailers · Sumner, IL

Apply on Pj-Trailers ↗
Level
Engineer
Team
Manufacturing
Degree
Required
Experience asked
5+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level manufacturing role at Pj-Trailers (industrial) in Sumner, IL. Performs research, design, and development of manufacturing processes, including production flow, assembly methods, and production equipment.

They ask for
5+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Lean, 5S, SMED, Kanban, Welding, SolidWorks

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $89k–$145k.

Median of the low and high ends of 19 live postings that list pay, out of 38 manufacturing engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 37 other live manufacturing postings in Illinois.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $89k–$134k, from 17 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Typical (5+ years)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Root cause 53%
  • ✓ Lean 50%
  • Automation 47%
  • ✓ New product launch 29%
  • Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 29%
  • ✓ Cost reduction 24%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for 5S, SMED, Kanban, SolidWorks, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Pj-Trailers

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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 Pj-TrailersAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Performs research, design, and development of manufacturing processes, including production flow, assembly methods, and production equipment.
  • ◆Prepares and maintains detailed layouts of buildings and equipment.
  • ◆Coordinates the manufacturing launch of new/revised products, including establishing goals, training team members, and evaluating results.
  • ◆Designs, develops, tests or sources and cost-justifies various tools, machinery, and equipment for recommended manufacturing methods.
  • ◆Performs product/process analysis for cost reduction, quality improvement, and efficiency improvement.
  • ◆Represents manufacturing on cross-functional teams.
  • ◆Evaluates BOM's and the manufacturing process for accuracy.
  • ◆Performs other related duties as assigned.
  • ◆Action oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
  • ◆Strong attention to detail and solutions oriented when building processes and solving problems.
  • ◆Direct, concise communication stills (verbal and written)
  • ◆Deliver results in a fast-paced environment with competing and changing priorities.
  • ◆Bias for action, stellar work ethics and desire to achieve excellence.
  • ◆Control ECN's and evaluate the manufacturability of said ECN's
  • ◆CAD, SolidWorks control
  • ◆Other duties, as assigned.

Education - Experience Required

  • ✓Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
  • ✓3-5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
  • ✓1-3 years of welding and metal fabrication experience
  • ✓Excellent organization and leadership skills
  • ✓Strong decision-making skills and results-driven approach
  • ✓Lean Principles: Problem Solving, Flow, Standard Work, Kanban, SMED, 5S
Show full description ↓

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Overview

Manufacturing Engineer plays a crucial role in developing and implementing optimal, cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods in accordance with product specifications and quality standards. Recommend and implement improvements to production processes, methods, and controls. Coordinates manufacturing launch for new or revised products. Priorities include improvement process, problem resolution, project management and employee training. Reviews BOM for accuracy on the shop floor. Evaluates and suggests engineering improvements to increase plant efficiency.

Job

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