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Location: Knoxville, TN | Schedule: Full-time, 100% Onsite | Compensation: Up to $130,485 Base Salary (approximately $130,000)

Overview

An established manufacturer with a long operating history in commercial HVAC and air-movement equipment is expanding its operations with a new campus in the Knoxville, TN area. This direct-hire opportunity places a Manufacturing Engineer at the center of that expansion, serving as the company's subject matter expert for all industrial powder coating and finishing operations as new, high-efficiency manufacturing systems come online.

What you'll do

• Serve as the primary technical leader for industrial powder coating, pre-treatment, and finishing operations, providing daily troubleshooting and training
• Identify, justify, specify, and oversee installation of new coating line equipment, spray booths, curing ovens, and automated material handling systems
• Establish operational KPIs, optimize chemical and coating utilization, improve line speeds, reduce scrap, and support environmental sustainability goals
• Collaborate with Product Design Engineering to evaluate parts for finish quality, powder adhesion, and manufacturability
• Lead 5S, safety, and Lean continuous improvement initiatives, including authoring standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and line workflows
• Travel 30%–50% to existing East Coast manufacturing sites during initial onboarding and ramp-up, with travel decreasing once the Knoxville campus is fully operational

Required qualifications

• 3–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience (Level II) OR 6–9+ years (Senior), with dedicated technical depth in industrial wet paint and powder coating processes
• Hands-on proficiency in CAD, Lean manufacturing tools, and industrial finishing systems
• For Senior-level candidates, deep expertise in powder coat line architecture, advanced plant layout, and SAP/ERP systems
• Proven ability troubleshooting coat thickness, surface pre-treatment chemistries, cure times, conveyor dynamics, and finish quality standards
• Associate Degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline required
• Willingness to travel 30%–50% during initial ramp-up phases and relocate to the Knoxville, TN area within 6 months (relocation assistance provided)
• Must be a US Citizen or Green Card holder

Preferred qualifications

• 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (BSME, BSIE, or similar) strongly preferred
• Prior process engineering background in high-volume commercial HVAC, sheet metal, or structural enclosure manufacturing
• Direct experience configuring and troubleshooting robotic or automated reciprocal powder application systems
• Familiarity with local and federal EPA standards, VOC monitoring, and wastewater treatment protocols associated with finishing lines

Compensation and benefits

• Up to $130,485 starting base salary (approximately $130,000), commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive corporate benefits package
• Relocation assistance provided

Why this role

This position offers a high-impact seat leading powder coating and finishing operations during a multi-million-dollar facility expansion, with the opportunity to shape new manufacturing systems from the ground up.