Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Lewiston, ID

Level: Manager
Team: Manufacturing
Base pay: $108k–$162k
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A management manufacturing role at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (industrial) in Lewiston, ID. In this role, you'll provide technical leadership for new product introduction (NPI), production readiness, process improvement, and manufacturing technology development.

Tools it names: Lean, Root cause, FMEA, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation
Base pay: $108k–$162k
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in Idaho: typical posted base $136k–$162k. This one lists $108k–$162k.

Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 11 manufacturing engineer openings in Idaho, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

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

How this role compares

Against 10 other live manufacturing postings in Idaho.

Experience asked: Not stated

Skills these teams ask for most

Tooling 64%
Team leadership 55%
✓ Lean 36%
✓ Root cause 36%
✓ Automation 36%
✓ New product launch 36%

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

Stands out: this posting asks for Power BI / Tableau, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageTraining program

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 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Lewiston

10 other open roles at this site.

Manufacturing Engineering Technician I · Manufacturing
Process Engineer- Inspection Systems · Process
Process Engineering Technician I (Swing Shift) · Process
Calibration Technician I · Quality · Technician
Engineering Manager I · Manufacturing · Manager
Engineering Manager - VI Magnetics · Manufacturing · Manager

All 11 roles at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories →

Full description from Schweitzer Engineering LaboratoriesAs posted on their careers site.Show

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is looking for a people-oriented Lead Manufacturing Engineer to join our Manufacturing Division in Lewiston, Idaho.

In this role, you'll provide technical leadership for new product introduction (NPI), production readiness, process improvement, and manufacturing technology development. You'll work across engineering, operations, and product teams to ensure our products can be built safely, reliably, and economically while developing the capabilities of those around you.

A typical day as a Lead Manufacturing Engineer might include

•A mix of technical leadership, strategic problem-solving, and working directly with stakeholders across the organization.
•Leading manufacturing readiness efforts for new products, guiding teams through process planning, risk reduction activities, validation efforts, and successful production launches.
•Driving organizational alignment, establishing best practices, and helping teams execute complex projects on schedule and within budget.
•Analyze product and process designs using Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, and Automation principles, ensuring solutions support long-term manufacturing capability and scalability.
•Leading teams through root cause investigations, continuous improvement initiatives, and production transformation efforts while serving as a technical mentor for developing engineers.
•Helping to shape the future of manufacturing by developing new engineering technologies, analytical approaches, business systems, and operational strategies that improve performance across the organization.

Design quality, technical rigor, and collaboration are critical parts of this role, so expect to participate in reviews, provide technical guidance, and influence decisions that impact manufacturing performance across multiple products and facilities. While leading projects and technical initiatives, you'll focus on delivering measurable results while developing engineering capability throughout the organization.

Show full description ↓

This job might be for you if

•You have an engineering background and strong manufacturing expertise.
•You enjoy solving complex technical and operational challenges.
•You have experience leading projects and cross-functional teams.
•You are skilled in quality, industrial, mechanical, automation, or NPI engineering.
•You use data, Lean principles, and structured problem solving to deliver results.
•You communicate effectively and develop those around you.

It is a plus if you have

+Leadership: We're looking for someone who has successfully led manufacturing readiness efforts for complex products and has experience influencing technical direction across teams and organizations. Experience leading NPI programs, implementing manufacturing technologies, and driving large-scale process improvement initiatives is highly valuable.
+Technical: Experience with PFMEA, process capability analysis, production system design, and Lean manufacturing transformations is a significant advantage.
+Software: Experience with Microsoft Dynamics AX, Power BI, manufacturing software platforms, and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Microsoft Project is also highly desirable. Engineers who enjoy mentoring others, building organizational capability, and establishing best practices will thrive in this role.

About Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

SEL designs, manufactures, and supports products and systems that protect, monitor, control, and automate electric power systems. Our technologies help detect faults, prevent equipment damage, and reduce the impact of power outages.

Our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Employees contribute to practical, high-quality solutions used every day, where attention to detail and quality directly support the reliability of the electric grid.

Location: Lewiston, ID – This position is located in Lewiston, ID where you'll enjoy an unmatched quality of life. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

+We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
+We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
+We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
+We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
+Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range: $107,600 - $161,500 per year

Manufacturing Engineer: $89,400 - $134,100 per year

Lead Manufacturing Engineer: $107,600 - $161,500 per year

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com .