Engineering Technician I

Protolabs · Brooklyn Park, MN

Level: Engineer
Team: Manufacturing
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 2+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Yesterday

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level manufacturing role at Protolabs (industrial) in Brooklyn Park, MN. As anEngineering Technician I,you'll support continuous improvement initiatives, process enhancements, and engineering projects that drive efficiency, quality, and innovation.

They ask for: 2+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, Kanban

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

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

Manufacturing Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $101k–$155k.

Median of the low and high ends of 22 live postings that list pay, out of 38 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 37 other live manufacturing postings in Minnesota.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Tooling 47%
✓ Lean 42%
Team leadership 37%
✓ New product launch 32%
EHS / safety 26%
Root cause 24%

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

Stands out: this posting asks for Kanban, CNC, Injection molding, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 2+ 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
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Protolabs
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?
- 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: Protolabs in Brooklyn Park

1 other open role at this site.

Maintenance Technician II · Reliability · Technician

Full description from ProtolabsAs posted on their careers site.Show

What You Will Do

◆Provide technical assistance on designated continuous improvement and engineering projects
◆Assist and facilitate continuous improvement changes (including 5S activities) by supporting engineering teams in the implementation of projects to improve results
◆Participate in various project teams and activities at the discretion of the Manufacturing Engineer or Sr. Engineering Technician.
◆Create set-ups and execute special operations for specific customer orders at the discretion of the Manufacturing Engineer or Sr. Engineering Technician.
◆Supports projects related to new production equipment, process improvement, cost reductions, and new product introductions
◆Perform testing and conduct data entry and analysis for various manufacturing projects and efforts as needed.

Show full description ↓

Be yourself at Protolabs

Why Protolabs?

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.

Join our team as an

Engineering Technician I

As anEngineering Technician I,you'll support continuous improvement initiatives, process enhancements, and engineering projects that drive efficiency, quality, and innovation. This hands-on role offers the opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams, analyze manufacturing data, implement Lean practices, and contribute to projects involving new equipment, cost reduction, and product launches. If you're a detail-oriented problem solver with manufacturing experience and a passion for continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

What You Will Bring

•HS Diploma or trade school certification
•Previous experience utilizing Lean, and Continuous Improvement methodologies
•Minimum of 2 years of applicable MFG experience
•Ability to work within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment
•Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate with cross-functional teams
•Results-oriented
•Capable of handling assignments in a timely manner to meet assigned deadlines
•Strong organizational skills, attention to detail
•Knowledge of new and emerging technologies in manufacturing.
•Familiarity with general Lean Manufacturing concepts and techniques, such as Value Stream Mapping, Kanban System, 5S, and Kaizen philosoph

What Sets You Apart

•AA Degree in Mechanical, Engineering Technology or Lean or Six Sigma Certification
•Experience with CAD/CAM software, CNC machining, and injection molding technology
•Familiarity with machining and tooling principles and precision measurement equipment
•A background or working knowledge of machining and/or injection molding preferred

What's In It For You

•We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
•We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
•Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
•Flexible Spending Accounts
•Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
•Dental and Vision
•Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
•Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
•Paid caregiver leave
•You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
•401k with company match and immediate vest
•Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
•Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
•And More!