The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is building the future of sustainable lumber with next-generation sawmill technology. We design and operate state-of-the-art modular sawmills that produce high-grade dimensional wood products with greater efficiency and less waste. Backed by leading investors including Cantos, Slow Ventures, Susa Ventures, Banter Capital, Humba Ventures, and Ravelin Capital.
The Lumber Manufactory (TLM) is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead hands-on development and continuous improvement of next-generation sawmills. In this role, you will be responsible for shaping how production systems are developed, measured, and scaled translating engineering intent into safe, repeatable, and high-performing operations.
You will be a core member of the operations team, working directly on the factory floor to stabilize processes, improve quality and reliability, and reduce cost through advanced process design and implementation of new technologies. This role offers significant autonomy and ownership, with the opportunity to influence core manufacturing systems at a fast-growing industrial tech startup.
This role is based in the Great Tupelo Area and requires regular presence on the factory floor.
Key Responsibilities
Lead hands-on process improvement efforts to improve safety, quality, throughput, delivery, and cost across manufacturing operations.
Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical and process failures on the production floor using first principles, not just data.
Develop and refine manufacturing processes that deliver consistent, compliant product with high yield and low variability.
Drive day-to-day process stability through production troubleshooting, root cause analysis of downtime and defects, line balancing, takt time optimization, and bottleneck elimination.
Define and lead structured continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen events, waste reduction, cycle time reduction, and labor productivity improvements.
Design and implement equipment, tooling, and automation solutions that enable productivity gains, reduce labor time, and improve process repeatability.
Lead new product introduction and scaling: develop production processes, implement DFM improvements, drive pilot builds and ramp-ups, and own capacity planning for growth.
Optimize factory layouts and material flow to improve work center performance across log yard, kilns, production lines, and finished goods packaging, loading, and shipping.
Build and maintain production performance metrics to prioritize improvement work and enable data-driven operational decision making.
Serve as a technical resource and thought partner for the broader operations and engineering team.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or closely related engineering discipline from an accredited university.
5+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment, with direct ownership of engineering or process improvement projects from problem identification through implementation and results.
Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex mechanical or process problems on the production floor using first principles.
Experience in heavy industrial, automotive, or similarly demanding manufacturing environments. Background in aerospace, medical devices, or consumer electronics requires demonstrated transferability to heavy industrial operations.
Proven track record of delivering measurable results: specific, quantified improvements to safety, quality, throughput, cost, or reliability.
Strong problem-solving instincts and comfort working directly on heavy equipment and industrial machinery.
Preferred Skills
Experience in wood products, forestry, or heavy industrial manufacturing (strongest differentiator).
Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement, and standard work.
Experience with statistical process control, process capability, or data-driven manufacturing approaches.
Experience standing up or launching a new production line or process from scratch.
Capital project ownership end-to-end: justification, design, implementation, and performance validation.
Comfort spending the majority of your time on the factory floor and collaborating across engineering, operations, and maintenance.
Ability to independently own and drive complex projects in a fast-paced, lean startup environment where priorities shift and resources are limited.
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including:
100% employer-paid health coverage for employees and dependents (medical, dental, and vision)
100% employer-paid life insurance and disability coverage
Paid time off and company holidays
The opportunity to help build something from the ground up in an essential, evolving industry
Join our team as we modernize timber from forest to finished product.
The Lumber Manufactory is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or closely related engineering discipline from an accredited university.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex mechanical or process problems.
- Experience in heavy industrial, automotive, or similarly demanding manufacturing environments.
- Proven track record of delivering measurable results.
The Lumber Manufactory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Lumber Manufactory and has not been reviewed or approved by The Lumber Manufactory.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, with postings stating 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, plus employer‑paid life and disability. This points to robust core medical and risk protection in the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off and company holidays are highlighted, with mentions of 15 PTO days in some contexts. This indicates a defined time‑off program beyond basic minimums.
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Affordable Benefits — Employer‑paid health insurance is emphasized, implying low out‑of‑pocket premiums for employees and, where stated, for dependents. Such cost coverage can materially enhance total compensation even when base pay varies by role and location.
The Lumber Manufactory Insights
What We Do
The Lumber Manufactory is a venture-backed sustainable lumber startup focused on domestic wood processing and supply chain infrastructure. We're building modern manufacturing infrastructure to serve the housing and construction industries while supporting responsible forest management. Our first mill is running successfully and we're actively expanding into the Southeast region. We're backed by Cantos, Slow Ventures, Susa Ventures, Banter, Humba Ventures, and Ravelin Capital. We're solving a real supply chain problem: the US imports roughly one-third of its lumber. We're building mills to change that and become part of national infrastructure around wood processing and domestic supply. It's tied to housing, economic development, and responsible forestry management.
Why Work With Us
You'll work on infrastructure that matters. You see the impact of your work directly. We move fast, we care about excellence, and we're mission-driven. No corporate BS—just smart people solving real problems.
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