Job Title: Industrial / Manufacturing Engineer – CNC Tube Bending
Job Description
This position seeks an Industrial / Manufacturing Engineer with strong expertise in CNC tube bending to design, develop, and optimize metal tube forming processes. The role focuses heavily on advanced tube-bending applications while also supporting broader manufacturing initiatives, including CNC machining, process improvement, and Industry 4.0 adoption. You will work in a hands-on engineering capacity to drive efficiency, quality, and scalability across production operations.
Responsibilities
- Design, program, set up, and optimize CNC tube-bending processes, including rotary draw, ram forming, and push bending, to meet production and quality requirements.
- Troubleshoot tube-bending defects such as wrinkling, flattening, and spring-back, implementing corrective actions to improve process capability and product consistency.
- Select, configure, and implement appropriate tooling, including mandrels (plug and ball), wiper dies, and multi-stack tooling, to support a wide range of tube geometries and materials.
- Apply specialized techniques such as mandrel bending to prevent deformation in tight-radius applications and wiper dies to eliminate wrinkling in thin-wall tubing.
- Utilize advanced multi-radius bending and multi-stack CNC equipment to produce complex tube parts efficiently and accurately.
- Support CNC machining programming and integration for mills, lathes, and machining centers as the role evolves, ensuring seamless coordination with tube-bending operations.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve throughput, and enhance overall process efficiency.
- Optimize equipment layouts, material flow, and workstation ergonomics to improve productivity, safety, and operator comfort on the production floor.
- Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards, including OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, and EPA requirements, and promote a culture of safe work practices.
- Provide shop floor support by mentoring operators, developing clear work instructions, and resolving production issues in real time.
- Develop and refine standard operating procedures and process documentation to support repeatable, high-quality manufacturing outcomes.
- Stay current on emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0, additive manufacturing, and simulation tools, and evaluate opportunities to apply them to manufacturing operations.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams in engineering, production, and quality to support new product introductions and ongoing process improvements.
- Analyze production data to identify trends, root causes of issues, and opportunities for optimization in tube bending and related manufacturing processes.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor’s degree or Associate's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of 4+ years of experience in CNC tube bending, including setup, programming, and troubleshooting of tube-bending operations.
- Strong hands-on experience with CNC tube-bending equipment and processes, including rotary draw, ram forming, and push bending.
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Inventor for designing tooling, fixtures, and process layouts.
- Experience with CNC programming using G-code and/or CAM software, or a strong willingness and aptitude to learn CNC programming.
- Practical knowledge of mandrel bending techniques to prevent deformation in tight-radius tube applications.
- Ability to apply wiper dies effectively to eliminate wrinkling in thin-wall tubing.
- Experience working with multi-radius bending and advanced multi-stack CNC equipment for complex tube geometries.
- Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and their application to process improvement and waste reduction.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation related to tube forming and machining.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose process issues and implement effective corrective actions on the shop floor.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Industrial engineering experience in tubing, CNC programs, and manufacturing engineering.
- Familiarity with machine programming and integration across mills, lathes, and machining centers.
- Knowledge of Industry 4.0 concepts and an interest in applying digital tools and data-driven methods to manufacturing operations.
- Exposure to additive manufacturing and simulation tools and the ability to evaluate their potential