Material Flow & Production Line Setup Engineer (51312)

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions. 

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter. 

Why work here 

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design. 

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding. 

Position Summary: 

We are looking for a Material Flow & Line Setup Engineer to own the movement of materials through our production floor and to design and stand up new production lines as products, volumes, and processes evolve. This role sits at the intersection of industrial engineering, logistics, and manufacturing operations — ensuring the right materials are in the right place at the right time, and that new or reconfigured lines are laid out for maximum efficiency, safety, and flexibility. 
Please note: This is an on-site position with up to 75% travel required.

Key Responsibilities 

Material Flow Management 

• Analyze and optimize the flow of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods across the plant floor 

• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks, excess handling, and non-value-added movement 

• Design and maintain material replenishment systems (kanban, min/max, milk runs, point-of-use staging) 

• Coordinate with warehouse, planning, and production teams to ensure line-side material availability 

• Monitor inventory levels at production lines to prevent shortages or overstocking 

• Develop and maintain standard work for material handling and delivery routes 

New Line Setup & Changeovers 

• Design layouts for new production lines based on product specs, takt time, and volume requirements 

• Plan material presentation, staging areas, and flow paths for new or reconfigured lines 

• Lead cross-functional line commissioning: coordinate with engineering, maintenance, quality, and production 

• Develop line balancing, workstation layouts, and material delivery plans for new product introductions 

• Create and validate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new lines before ramp-up 

• Support pilot runs and ramp-up phases, resolving flow and layout issues in real time 

• Build changeover plans to minimize downtime when switching between products/lines 

Continuous Improvement 

• Apply Lean/Six Sigma principles (5S, value stream mapping, spaghetti diagrams) to improve flow 

• Use data (cycle times, downtime logs, inventory turns) to identify improvement opportunities 

• Partner with automation/engineering teams, or material handling equipment projects 

• Track KPIs such as line downtime due to material shortages, material handling costs, and line changeover time 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work closely with Production Planning/Scheduling to align material flow with demand 

• Partner with Procurement and Suppliers on packaging, delivery frequency, and container standards 

• Collaborate with EHS to ensure material handling processes meet safety standards 

• Train production and material handling staff on new processes and layouts 

Qualifications 

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent hands-on experience 

• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, material flow, industrial engineering, or production line setup 

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing tools (value stream mapping, kanban, 5S, standard work) 

• Strong understanding of production line layout, line balancing, and takt time calculations 

• Experience launching new products or lines in a manufacturing environment 

• Proficiency with CAD or layout tools (AutoCAD, Visio, or similar) for line design 

• Strong Excel skills; familiarity with ERP/MES systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.) 

Preferred: 

• Experience in HVAC manufacturing 

• Project management experience (PMP or equivalent a plus) 

Benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Group term life insurance coverage
• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
• 401k matching
• Company paid events
• Annual safety shoe allowance
• Education assistance program

EEO Statement:

Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.

Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.