Manufacturing Engineer

Who Are We?

Have you ever gone into a grocery store or convenience store for things like milk, bagged salads, or frozen pizza? The coolers and freezers you find those and other food products in are what we do!! Zero Zone is a manufacturer of reach-in and open refrigerated and frozen food display cases as well as the refrigeration systems that work behind the scenes to cool the cases, keeping the food fresh! We also make powerful industrial refrigeration systems for food warehousing, pharmaceuticals, and even ice rinks!

Our company is structured across 2 divisions – the Display Case Division, located in North Prairie, WI, Waukesha, WI, and Mukwonago, WI and the Refrigeration Systems Division, located in Ramsey, MN and Dyersville, IA.

What Are We Like?

At Zero Zone, you will be a valued member of the Zero Zone team, able to take ownership of your own career path. We believe in hard work, teamwork, collaboration, and respect, and we have grown through dedication to our Purpose: “Preserving customer valuables through refrigeration.” For over 60 years, we have been a leader in refrigeration, and our people are well known for exceptional customer service. We also believe we are the COOLEST coworkers (pun intended)! This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the refrigeration industry with one of the top leading manufacturers in the country! Come grow with us!!

What Can We Offer You?

• Vacation and Personal Hours (after only 30 days!)

• Competitive Wages

• Comprehensive Benefits Package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D, HSA/FSA, EAP)

• 401k and Profit Sharing

• 10 Paid Holidays

• Flexible Schedules

• Casual Dress Code

• Wellness Programs and Incentives

• Steel Toe Reimbursement

• Employee Engagement Programs

• One-time Home Computer Reimbursement

• And more!

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Manufacturing Engineer Manager, the Manufacturing Engineer will analyze existing systems and processes and identify value-added and non-value-added activities to solve design challenges. They will conceive, design, develop, and test innovative solutions based on analysis and organizational objectives. This individual will evaluate new and existing processes, equipment, and materials as an input for scheduling methods, performance metrics, and financial standards. It is imperative this individual upholds Zero Zone’s reputation for innovation while adhering to local and national regulations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for preventing waste and inefficiency during production

• Research and test design ideas to determine feasibility, utilizing lean manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and root-cause analysis to formulate and support innovation, corrective actions, and improvements

• Design and develop robust manufacturing concepts to simplify and improve processes and ensure best practices

• Manage and conduct employee training for productivity improvement projects, and mentor fellow engineers and technicians

• Build prototypes, evaluate performance, identify issues, and make improvements for all current and future designs

• Create and maintain required documentation for manufacturing processes, including flow charts, capacity and utilization studies, time and motion studies, standard work, cycle time analysis, and line balancing

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gain insights and direction

• Other duties as assigned

Requirements for Effective Performance:

• 5-7 years of experience in Manufacturing engineering; equivalent combinations of manufacturing industry experience or technical expertise will also be considered

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or mechanical engineering

• Experience with SolidWorks and AutoCAD

• Proficiency with analytical tools, workflow time studies, and process balancing

• Ability to collaborate with program managers, manufacturing leads, customers, and functional leads, and to provide daily direction and guidance to hourly workforce

• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Skills/Abilities/Specifications:

• Prior knowledge of advanced product quality planning (APQP) and production part approval process (PPAP)

• General refrigeration technical skills and knowledge

• Hands-on experience building small prototypes

• 3D Printing experience

• Practical knowledge of Lean tools implementation

• Lean and/or Six Sigma Certification

• Understanding of Quality Management Systems

Behavioral & Environmental Requirements:

• Maintain a positive work attitude. Zero Zone expects all employees to behave and communicate in a manner which will facilitate good relationships with customers, clients, co-workers, and supervisors.

• Safety toe shoes and safety glasses are required while in production areas.

• Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk throughout the office and production areas; have use of hands and fingers to use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.