Manufacturing Engineer - Associate
Graco · Dayton, MN
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $65k–$113k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Graco (industrial) in Dayton, MN. If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- FMEA, Machining, Assembly lines, Painting / coating, Time studies, Tooling
- Base pay
- $65k–$113k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $120k–$166k. This one lists $65k–$113k.
Median of the low and high ends of 24 live postings that list pay, out of 42 manufacturing engineer openings in Minnesota, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Minnesota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 41 other live manufacturing postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- About 36% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $111k–$166k, from 20 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 43%
- Lean 38%
- New product launch 36%
- Team leadership 33%
- ✓ EHS / safety 31%
- Root cause 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Assembly lines, Time studies, 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 Graco
We found 3 people at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Mark → (free) - 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
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.
This plant: Graco in Dayton
2 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in manufacturing roles at Graco.
- Supplier Quality Engineer · Quality
- Automation Engineer · Controls
Full description from GracoAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You Will Do
at Graco
- ◆Plan, execute and report priorities
- ◆Learn how to perform time studies to determine labor and machine capacity requirements/restrictions.
- ◆Learn to identify quality issue trends to understand chronic issues and determine corrective and preventative actions.
- ◆Practice utilizing pFMEA’s, flow diagrams, capability studies, and similar documentation in accordance with Graco’s established guidelines.
- ◆Strictly adhere to safety standards and improve the overall effectiveness of current safety program by identifying and eliminating potential safety hazards or conditions that exist.
- ◆Assure consistent product and process quality.
- ◆Serve as communication liaison between engineering, production, marketing, purchasing, etc. and Cell Manager
- ◆Improve quality problems on assembly line or machine.
- ◆Determine the proper processes
- ◆Analyze current production efficiency to find variances in standard work, processes, procedures, and waste in manufacturing layout.
- ◆Select and implement the proper machines, tooling, fixturing, etc., to maximize productivity and quality for all manufacturing operations.
- ◆Perform capital equipment justification as needed.
- ◆Research new technological ideas to keep the Cell continuously improving.
- ◆Provide general production support for machining and/or assembly area as needed
- ◆Evaluate improvements for machining or assembly
- ◆Perform other duties as assigned
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.
Assist experienced engineers in planning and executing manufacturing processes in a Cell. While improving manufacturing operations, communicate with a variety of teams, and have the opportunity to perform capital equipment justification.
What You Will Bring to Graco
- •Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent
- •0 – 1 years manufacturing experience or demonstrated qualification in technical field
Accelerators
- •Good oral and written communication skills
- •Good mechanical aptitude
- •Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing processes or products
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship). Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position.
At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.
Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.
$64,600.00 - $113,100.00