Manufacturing Engineering Manager

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager will lead manufacturing engineering, advanced automation, manufacturing cell development, equipment optimization, capital projects, and facility infrastructure improvements at Configure Clearwater. This role will drive the development of efficient, scalable, and technologically advanced manufacturing systems that support operational excellence and long-term growth.

Serving as a key technical leader, this individual will coordinate engineering, tooling, equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, contractors, and operations to design and implement integrated manufacturing solutions. A primary focus will be advancing automation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent process controls, and autonomous manufacturing technologies to improve productivity, reduce labor dependency, enhance equipment reliability, and optimize production performance.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise and hands-on manufacturing experience with effective project management and leadership skills to translate innovative concepts into safe, reliable, production-ready solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Engineering & Systems Integration

• Lead the design, development, integration, and implementation of efficient, scalable manufacturing cells incorporating injection molding equipment, tooling, robotics, material handling, inspection, assembly, and packaging systems.
• Coordinate engineering, tooling, machine manufacturers, automation integrators, and operations to ensure equipment compatibility, effective system integration, and production readiness.
• Develop manufacturing layouts and standardized cell concepts that optimize equipment utilization, floor space, material flow, productivity, and future scalability.
• Evaluate equipment capabilities, tooling requirements, process limitations, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for manufacturing improvement.

Advanced Automation, AI & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the implementation of advanced industrial automation, robotics, machine vision, intelligent controls, and AI-enabled manufacturing technologies.
• Develop integrated and autonomous manufacturing cells that minimize manual intervention while maintaining safety, quality, reliability, and production performance.
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive operations, reduce direct labor requirements, improve cycle times, increase throughput, and enhance process consistency.
• Evaluate and implement technologies supporting predictive maintenance, automated quality inspection, anomaly detection, and intelligent process monitoring.
• Optimize existing equipment through automation retrofits, upgrades, and process improvements in collaboration with operations and maintenance teams.
• Establish appropriate machine safety systems, interlocks, safeguards, and fault recovery procedures for automated operations.
• Prioritize improvement and automation initiatives based on operational impact, cost savings, equipment reliability, and return on investment (ROI).

Capital Projects, Equipment Installation & Facility Development

• Lead manufacturing equipment installations, relocations, commissioning, and production readiness activities, coordinating equipment delivery, rigging, electrical connections, utilities, and startup requirements.
• Manage facility infrastructure improvements and expansion projects involving electrical capacity, compressed air, process cooling, water systems, and other manufacturing utilities.
• Evaluate infrastructure and equipment capacity to support current operations, additional automation, and future manufacturing growth.
• Coordinate equipment acceptance testing, system validation, and performance verification to ensure installations meet established safety, quality, and operational requirements.
• Identify project constraints and implementation risks and develop solutions to maintain schedules, budgets, and production requirements.

Contractor, Vendor & Project Management

• Manage third-party contractors, equipment manufacturers, automation integrators, and technical service providers supporting engineering, automation, installation, and facility projects.
• Develop project scopes, obtain and evaluate quotations, coordinate resources, and monitor contractor performance, safety, quality, schedules, and budgets.
• Lead projects from initial concept and feasibility assessment through technical design, financial justification, installation, commissioning, and operational handoff.
• Maintain project schedules, trackers, milestones, budgets, technical documentation, and completion records.
• Provide regular progress updates to operations leadership, communicate project risks and resource constraints, and drive accountability for deliverables and deadlines.
• Support capital planning and investment prioritization based on manufacturing needs, expected returns, and long-term operational objectives.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following pathways:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Equivalent Professional Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressive, hands-on technical experience involving industrial automation design, manufacturing facility development or startups, and injection molding operations.

Regardless of pathway, candidates must demonstrate the technical expertise and project leadership capabilities necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Technical Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience designing, integrating, commissioning, and troubleshooting complex industrial automation and robotic manufacturing systems.
• Strong understanding of industrial robotics, robotic programming, end-of-arm tooling, automated material handling, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, industrial communication networks, and integrated controls.
• Experience developing automated manufacturing cells that coordinate multiple production processes.
• Working knowledge of AI-enabled manufacturing technologies, machine vision, automated inspection, predictive maintenance, intelligent process monitoring, and practical machine learning applications.
• Understanding of machine safety standards, risk assessments, interlocks, and safeguards for automated manufacturing systems.
• Strong knowledge of injection molding equipment, tooling integration, auxiliary systems, and plastics manufacturing processes.
• Experience with manufacturing equipment installations, relocations, commissioning, facility infrastructure, production startups, and equipment optimization.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, compressed air, process cooling, and manufacturing utility requirements.
• Proven ability to evaluate technical solutions, coordinate external technical partners, and justify investments based on operational benefits and ROI.

Leadership & Professional Competencies

• Strong project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, milestone tracking, risk management, and leadership reporting.
• Ability to independently manage multiple technical projects and competing priorities.
• Hands-on leadership approach with strong analytical, troubleshooting, and practical problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration across operations, engineering, maintenance, tooling, vendors, and contractors.
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects from concept through implementation while maintaining accountability for safety, quality, cost, and timelines.
• Innovative, forward-thinking approach to manufacturing automation, continuous improvement, and emerging technologies.
• Ability to balance immediate operational needs with long-term manufacturing development and facility growth.

Company Details:

• Location: Clearwater, FL
• This position will report to Configure Leadership
  
  
  

Configure is an equal opportunity employer. The Statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

Configure is a family-owned plastic injection molding company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, with operations across five states. We create consumer goods sold by major retailers—products that improve everyday experiences for the people who use them.

What makes Configure different is how we think. We’re on a mission to reimagine familiar product categories and turn “same old” into “new and improved.” That mindset drives everything we do—from product development and manufacturing to how we invest in our people and run our operations.

Innovation at Configure isn’t limited to engineering or design teams. It shows up on the plant floor, in continuous improvement efforts, in how we adopt new technologies, and in how we support our teams. We’re always evolving—our processes, our tools, and our capabilities—because we believe the best ideas can come from anywhere.

As a family-owned company, we take a long-term approach to growth. We value accountability, collaboration, and people who take pride in their work. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to make an impact, learn new skills, and help shape how we build products and run our business.

If you’re looking for a place where innovation is expected, initiative is encouraged, and your work truly matters, we’d love to Configure the future together.