Detailed description
AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $4B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.
What We Offer:
- Flexible time off policy
- 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
- Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
- Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
- Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for the development, improvement, and support of manufacturing processes for existing and new products. This position is the primary engineering resource responsible for addressing manufacturing challenges affecting safety, quality, delivery, and cost. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency independently managing projects of varying complexity, developing and maintaining process control documentation, and will have a strong focus on process efficiency improvements and launching new products/processes.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement new manufacturing processes and process improvements
- With R&D Engineering support, develop and launch new products and processes.
- Select, design, and modify tooling, fixtures, and equipment as needed to improve safety, quality, throughput, and productivity objectives
- Develop and continually improve written processes, test work instructions, and
- Support New Item Setups ensuring routing instructions, BOMs, and referenced drawings are correct
- Support Production as needed through material substitutions, process/drawing deviations, and engineering expertise
- Investigate root causes of nonconforming products and implement corrective actions
- Design and implement shop floor layouts and workflows
- Establish and lead training, development, and certification plans for production associates and engineering technicians.
- Identify, justify, plan, and lead continuous improvement and capacity expansion projects
- Monitor process performance metrics to identify opportunities for product and process improvement
- Work with internal and external suppliers of materials, equipment, and services to execute projects, resolve problems, and improve processes
- Improve housekeeping and safety by applying the 5S principles
- Perform other duties as required
Personal Qualities
- Team player with strong leadership skills able to effectively implement changes that challenge status quo
- Strong attention to detail, organization, project management, and analytical skills
- Solid communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable in a cross-functional, multicultural environment
- Proactive self-starter with integrity and confidence who strives to achieve in challenging environments with limited supervision
- Ability to positively influence team atmosphere across departments and make meaningful contributions
- Data driven approach to process improvements and problem solving
- Flexibility to meet challenges as they arise
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Effective time management and organizational skills
- Proficiency with MS Office Applications
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred or Industrial Engineering with strong mechanical aptitude.
- 1 to 3 years’ experience in manufacturing setting as process/manufacturing engineer, Strong Process/Manufacturing Engineering Co Op experience with demonstrated achievements considered
- Demonstrated ability to initiate improvement projects and carry through to successful implementation
- Hands on experience developing tool/fixtures, launching new production areas, processes, or products
- Experience with machining or precision mechanical assembly and test methods
- Experience with lower volume, high mix machining and casting processes preferred
- Practical understanding of workplace 5S, 6-SIGMA and Lean Manufacturing principles
- Demonstrated experience leading project and/or self-directed work teams
- Knowledge of ISO-9000 based quality systems
- Knowledge of MRP/ERP systems
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering with strong mechanical aptitude
- 1 to 3 years of experience in a manufacturing setting as a process or manufacturing engineer
- Strong process or manufacturing engineering co-op experience with demonstrated achievements
- Ability to initiate improvement projects and carry them through successful implementation
- Hands-on experience developing tools and fixtures
- Experience launching new production areas, processes, or products
- Experience with machining or precision mechanical assembly and test methods
- Experience with lower-volume, high-mix machining and casting processes
- Practical understanding of workplace 5S, Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing principles
- Experience leading project teams or self-directed work teams
- Knowledge of ISO 9000-based quality systems
- Knowledge of MRP/ERP systems
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
AFL Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AFL and has not been reviewed or approved by AFL.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical with HSA options, dental, vision, disability, life/AD&D, wellness resources, and EAP. Carrier options and plan tiers are outlined publicly, and on‑site health resources are available in some locations.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is a prominent part of the package, with dollar‑for‑dollar matching and vesting timelines highlighted. The retirement program is repeatedly positioned as a strong component of total compensation.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time are standard, with some teams operating flexible or unlimited PTO models. This breadth supports work–life balance where such policies are offered.
AFL Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1984, AFL is an international manufacturer providing end-to-end solutions to the energy, service provider, enterprise and industrial markets as well as several emerging markets. Our products are in use in over 130 countries and include fiber optic cable and hardware, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectivity, test and inspection equipment, fusion splicers and training. AFL also offers a wide variety of services supporting data center, enterprise, wireless and outside plant applications. Headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura, Ltd. Of Japan.
