Manufacturing Engineer
Standard Iron · Grand Island, NE
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $70k–$90k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 90+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 19 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Standard Iron (industrial) in Grand Island, NE. Develop, program, and optimize robotic welding applications using industrial robots such as FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa/Motoman, or KUKA.
- They ask for
- 90+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Root cause, FMEA, Control plans
- Base pay
- $70k–$90k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Nebraska: typical posted base $82k–$126k. This one lists $70k–$90k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 9 manufacturing engineer openings in Nebraska, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Nebraska plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 8 other live manufacturing postings in Nebraska.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (90+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 67%
- ✓ Automation 56%
- ✓ Root cause 44%
- ✓ Six Sigma 44%
- ✓ New product launch 44%
- ✓ Tooling 44%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Standard Iron
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- 2
Send a short, curious note
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- 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
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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
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Full description from Standard IronAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
Standard Iron has been a leader in contract manufacturing for over 90 years, delivering quality products and innovative solutions to customers across a variety of industries. We are committed to our Core Values of Commitment To Our People, To Our Customers & To Action.
We are currently seeking a highly skilled Manufacturing Engineer to join our manufacturing team. This role is heavily focused on robotic weld programming, weld process development, and weld quality optimization while supporting continuous improvement initiatives across our sheet metal fabrication operations. The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on experience with industrial robotic welding systems, manufacturing engineering principles, and lean process improvement to drive quality, productivity, and innovation.
Pay Range: $70,000-90,000 annually (Starting rate commensurate with experience)
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Develop, program, and optimize robotic welding applications using industrial robots such as FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa/Motoman, or KUKA.
- ◆Perform teach pendant and offline programming for new and existing robotic welding applications.
- ◆Develop, validate, and optimize weld parameters including voltage, amperage, travel speed, wire feed speed, shielding gas, and torch angles to maximize weld quality and productivity.
- ◆Program and optimize CNC manufacturing equipment including laser cutters, turret punches, press brakes, tube benders, and other fabrication equipment using SolidWorks, AutoCAD, nesting software, and related programming tools.
- ◆Develop, evaluate, and continuously improve manufacturing processes for laser cutting, punching, forming, bending, robotic welding, manual welding, and assembly operations.
- ◆Design, validate, and improve tooling, fixtures, weld fixtures, and jigs that improve quality, repeatability, and productivity.
- ◆Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by reviewing customer designs for manufacturability (DFM), developing weld sequences, tooling concepts, and manufacturing documentation.
- ◆Troubleshoot robotic welding issues including fit-up, distortion, porosity, spatter, burn-through, lack of fusion, and other weld quality concerns.
- ◆Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve quality, productivity, and process stability.
- ◆Analyze production flow, identify bottlenecks, and implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives to reduce waste and improve throughput.
- ◆Collaborate with customers, sales, quality, operations, and production personnel to ensure products meet customer specifications, quality standards, and delivery schedules.
- ◆Support cost reduction initiatives through process improvements, automation, tooling improvements, and cycle time reduction.
- ◆Ensure compliance with company safety policies, environmental regulations, and industry best practices.
- ◆Lead or participate in capital equipment evaluations, justification, installation, startup, and optimization of robotic welding cells and automated manufacturing systems.
- ◆Work with equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and automation suppliers during installation, programming, and commissioning activities.
- ◆Train production personnel on new robotic welding programs, equipment, and standardized work instructions.
- ◆Maintain accurate engineering documentation, work instructions, process sheets, PFMEAs, control plans, and programming backups.
Qualifications
- ✓Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Welding Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- ✓3-7 years of manufacturing engineering experience with an emphasis on welding applications.
- ✓Experience programming industrial robotic welding systems (FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa/Motoman, or KUKA) preferred.
- ✓Strong understanding of MIG welding processes and weld parameter development.
- ✓Experience in sheet metal fabrication including laser cutting, punching, forming, bending, welding, and assembly.
- ✓Proficiency with CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and nesting software.
- ✓Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
- ✓Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PFMEA, Control Plans, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- ✓Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, weld symbols, and AWS welding standards.
- ✓Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, and project management skills.
- ✓Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
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First Shift
- •Monday – Thursday- 7:00Am-4:30PM & Friday- 7:00Am-11:00AM
To get a head start in the hiring process and receive an interview faster, complete our Culture Index Survey: https://go.cultureindex.com/p/HGSMh4nr3npzUFtRoc
Preferred Skills
- +Experience with offline robotic programming software such as RoboGuide, RobotStudio, MotoSim, or DELMIA.
- +Experience programming both FANUC and ABB robotic systems.
- +Knowledge of advanced robotic welding technologies including:
- +Vision-guided welding
- +Laser seam tracking
- +Through-Arc Seam Tracking (TAST)
- +Adaptive welding systems
- +Familiarity with AWS D1.1, ISO welding standards, and related fabrication specifications.
- +Ability to simulate robotic weld paths, reach studies, and cycle times.
- +Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement experience.
- +Previous experience in a contract manufacturing or job shop environment.
- +Knowledge of automation, robotics integration, and manufacturing system optimization.
- +Strong understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
What You Bring
- •Passion for manufacturing technology, robotics, and continuous improvement.
- •Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- •Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
- •High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- •Self-motivated mindset with the ability to lead projects from concept