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Manufacturing Engineer, 1st Shift

Rockwell Automation · Richland Center, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 19, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a productivity improvement you led. How did you measure the savings?

What they are checking: Whether they can show real, measured savings, since finding productivity is the first duty listed.

Tell me about a time operators resisted a process change you made. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they involve the people doing the work and earn buy-in instead of forcing changes.

Tell me about a quality problem you traced back to a process root cause.

What they are checking: Whether they use structured problem solving instead of blaming operators.

What would you do

An electrical panel build keeps failing test at the end of the line. How do you troubleshoot it with application engineering?

What they are checking: Whether they can work methodically on panel issues across teams, which the posting specifically names.

You're splitting time between your own projects and urgent issues on first shift. How do you balance them?

What they are checking: Whether they can support daily production without losing progress on longer improvement work.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd set a time standard for a new assembly operation.

What they are checking: Whether they know time study or standard data methods and can defend the number they set.

How do you work with design engineering to make a new product easier to build before it's released?

What they are checking: Whether they push design-for-manufacturing input early instead of fixing problems after launch.

How would you estimate the manufacturing cost of a product line that doesn't exist yet?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a cost estimate from labor, material, tooling and overhead assumptions.

How do you decide whether new tooling is worth the investment?

What they are checking: Whether they justify tooling with payback, quality and safety rather than preference.

What lean tools have you used on the floor, and which one made the biggest difference?

What they are checking: Whether they've applied lean methods in practice rather than just naming them.

How do you write work instructions that operators actually use?

What they are checking: Whether they create clear, visual instructions that fit how people really work at the station.

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The full job description

As published by Rockwell Automation.

Rockwell Automation is a global technology leader focused on helping the world’s manufacturers be more productive, sustainable, and agile. With more than 28,000 employees who make the world better every day, we know we have something special. Behind our customers - amazing companies that help feed the world, provide life-saving medicine on a global scale, and focus on clean water and green mobility - our people are energized problem solvers that take pride in how the work we do changes the world for the better. We welcome all makers, forward thinkers, and problem solvers who are looking for a place to do their best work. And if that’s you we would love to have you join us! Job Description Summary Responsible for identifying and implementing productivity savings. Develops, implements and maintains methods, operation sequence and processes in the manufacture or fabrication of parts, components, sub-assemblies and final assemblies. Interfaces with design engineering in coordinating the release of new products. Collaborates with application engineering on manufacturing electrical panels, assisting with troubleshooting and issue resolution. Works with other central corporate teams to support improving plant operations. Estimates manufacturing cost, determines time standards and makes recommendations for tooling and process requirements of new or existing product lines. Maintains records and reporting systems for coordination of manufacturing operations. As the Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for identifying and implementing productivity savings. You will develop, implement and maintain methods, operation sequence and processes in the manufacture or fabrication of parts, components, sub-assemblies and final assemblies. You will work with design engineering in coordinating the release of new products. Collaborate with application engineering on manufacturing electrical panels, assisting with troubleshooting and issue resolution. You will collaborate with central corporate teams to support improving plant operations. You will estimate manufacturing cost, determine time standards and make recommendations for tooling and process requirements of new and/or existing product lines. You will also maintain records and reporting systems for coordination of manufacturing operations. Responsibilities and ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • You will lead and participate in projects to allow the plant to meet annual productivity goals and reduce/eliminate safety and ergonomic risk in the manufacturing work environment. • Use transformational productivity thought process to drive continuous improvement initiatives. • Provide recommendations, requirements, and justifications to support investigation and evaluation of new manufacturing technologies. • Communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form, to an audience of varying technical and cultural backgrounds. • Use AI knowledge and experience to optimize production workflows and analyze manufacturing data for process improvement and process waste elimination. • Have an active presence and participation in both the central office and the local plant environments. • Use Lean methodology to reduce waste and improve process efficiency. • Develop, standardize, implement, maintain, and govern manufacturing processes across all Rockwell Automation manufacturing plants. • Help implement IT security and business productivity plans in the manufacturing plants. • Provide design input and execution support for the development and deployment of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and information management systems in the plants. • Participate in new product and process design reviews for New Product Introduction (NPI) and Continuation Engineering projects. • Participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA) analyses. • Support justification for capital requests. Identify assembly equipment, tooling, and fixture requirements. • Participate in the procurement, installation, and validation activities. • Collaborate with others from within and outside of the Operations group to achieve common goals. • Conduct tasks following applicable health, safety, quality, and environmental regulations (state/federal laws, ISO9001, ISO14000, etc.) and other Rockwell Automation procedures. • You will report to the Manufacturing Engineering and Facilities Manager The Essentials- What You Will Have: • Bachelor's Degree • Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. • The Preferred- You May Also Have: • Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or equivalent Production/Manufacturing/Technology degree or education. • Engineering experience within a manufacturing/production environment • Experience with Project Management, Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA), • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma tools and methodologies. What We Offer: • Health Insurance including Medical, Dental and Vision • Life Insurance • 401k • Paid Time off • Parental and Caregiver Leave • Flexible Work Schedule where you will work with your manager to enjoy a work schedule that can be flexible with your personal life. • To learn more about our benefits package, please visit at www. raquickfind.com . At Rockwell Automation we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this or other roles. This position is part of a job family. Experience will be the determining factor for position level and compensation. #LI-Hybrid #LI-RM1 We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (844) 404-7247.

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