Manufacturing Engineer

Be yourself at Protolabs

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.

Why Protolabs?

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It's our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.

Join our team as a CNC Manufacturing Engineer!

The CNC Manufacturing Engineer plays a key role in shaping how products are made-designing and improving efficient, cost‑effective manufacturing processes that bring high‑quality parts from concept to reality.

Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm

What You'll Do

• Lead and collaborate across disciplines to design, optimize, and scale manufacturing processes that drive performance, quality, and innovation.

• Uncover cost‑saving and capability‑expanding opportunities using data analysis, creative problem solving, and structured brainstorming.

• Develop and evaluate multiple process concepts, applying analytical and statistical techniques to support sound, data‑driven decisions.

• Design and implement tooling strategies that enable new and improved manufacturing processes.

• Champion quality at every step, ensuring processes meet or exceed quality standards and proactively resolving compliance or performance issues.

• Lead or support corrective action initiatives, applying root cause analysis and structured problem‑solving methods to deliver lasting solutions.

• Train and mentor operators and technicians on new or improved processes to ensure smooth adoption and sustained results.

• Research, design, and develop manufacturing processes, including production flow, assembly methods, and production equipment.

• Build, test, and refine prototype equipment and tooling, translating concepts into production‑ready solutions.

• Analyze products and processes to drive measurable improvements in cost, quality, and operational efficiency.

• Play an active role in Lean manufacturing initiatives, including Kaizen, 5S, and continuous improvement events.

• Independently evaluate and adapt standard engineering techniques, tailoring solutions to real‑world manufacturing challenges.

• Own a major project or multiple moderate‑scope projects, managing priorities and delivering results with minimal supervision.

• Leverage statistical data confidently and independently to guide decisions and validate improvements.

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in at least one technical area, with working knowledge across multiple disciplines.

• Document and share technical accomplishments, contributing to team knowledge and best practices.

• Take on additional responsibilities as needed, supporting team and organizational goals.

What It Takes

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical field
• 3+ years of relevant professional CNC engineering experience
• Advanced written and oral communication skills: able to communicate complex technical information to all levels of the organization, able to clearly present data in written and verbal form
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills; familiarity of problem solving tools and resources (FMEA, Pareto, Cause & Effect diagrams)
• Strong attention to detail and experience with managing project documents and producing quality content.
• Must be able to take initiative and work independently
• Self-motivated and self-directed with high sense of urgency
• Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
• Strong time management skills with the ability to successfully perform within a project framework including defined deliverables and time frames
• Concurrently solve immediate issues while maintaining a vision of the future

What Makes You Stand Out

• Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing techniques
• Knowledge of CAD software, machining and molding technology
• A background or working knowledge of machining and/or process related operation is preferred
• Experience working within a Continuous Improvement environment

What is in it for you

• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:

• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)

• Dental and Vision

• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• Paid caregiver leave

• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO, Holiday Pay, and Volunteer Hours

• 401k with company match and immediate vest

• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate

• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation

• And More!

$82,000 - $102,500 a year

Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.

Work Environment:

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in a manufacturing area exposed to machinery and noise; with eye protection and safety shoes required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.