Manufacturing Engineer - Fabrication

NOW HIRING: MANUFACTURING ENGINEER — FABRICATION

Department: Manufacturing / Engineering

Reports To: Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: On-site only | 531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518 (No remote work available)

Schedule: Monday–Friday | Full-time

Compensation: Competitive compensation based on experience, technical depth, fabrication and welding knowledge, industry background, and market data

Build Your Career with ACECO

We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer with strong fabrication expertise to develop, optimize, and support the manufacturing processes behind our custom crane and material handling equipment.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering and production. You'll work directly with the welders, fitters, and assemblers who build our products — and with the engineers who design them — to make sure we're fabricating efficiently, safely, and on time.

We are looking for someone who understands what it takes to turn steel into a finished crane. Someone who can read a blueprint and think through the full fabrication sequence — from material prep and fit-up through welding, assembly, rigging, and shipping. Someone who knows that design intent and shop floor reality don't always agree, and who can bridge that gap.

The right person will spend significant time in the shop, not just behind a desk. You'll study our fabrication processes, use CAD software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks to develop practical mechanical designs and fabrication solutions, evaluate our rigging and handling methods, engineer shipping solutions for finished cranes, and drive real improvements in cycle time, throughput, quality, and safety.

You won't get lost here. Your perspective will matter, your judgment will be relied upon, and your impact will be visible across the organization.

What This Role Really Is

This is a hands-on manufacturing engineering role focused on steel fabrication, welding, large equipment assembly, rigging, and shipping within a custom, engineer-to-order manufacturing environment.

ACECO builds electric overhead cranes, hoists, and heavy material handling equipment. Every product is engineered to order. That means standard playbooks only get you so far — you need to understand fabrication fundamentals deeply enough to apply them to custom work, every time.

The Manufacturing Engineer owns the development and optimization of fabrication and assembly processes. You'll optimize routing, work cell layout, and material flow. You'll review rigging and handling methods for large weldments. You'll engineer shipping provisions for finished cranes and components. You'll use AutoCAD and SolidWorks to develop mechanical designs, fabrication layouts, fixtures, and support structures for manufacturing and factory acceptance tests. And you'll lead lean initiatives tailored to an engineer-to-order environment.

You'll also play a key role in supporting capital equipment projects, the transition to a new ERP system, and collaboration with Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to keep manufacturing running at its best.

Success requires someone who can move comfortably between a conversation about weld sequencing on the shop floor and a design review with Engineering — and who can translate what they see in both settings into better processes, better decisions, and better outcomes.

Who Thrives Here — and Who Does Not

You'll do well here if you:

• Think like a fabricator — you see a drawing and immediately consider how it gets cut, fit, welded, assembled, rigged, and shipped
• Are comfortable spending real time on the shop floor, not just reviewing data from your desk
• Understand steel fabrication and welding processes deeply enough to optimize them, not just document them
• Can read blueprints and fabrication drawings, use CAD tools to develop practical mechanical design solutions, and spot both design intent and manufacturing risk
• Have a practical understanding of rigging, handling, and moving large weldments and assemblies safely
• Enjoy collaborating across departments — Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, Safety
• See continuous improvement as a mindset, not just a project
• Are comfortable making make-versus-buy recommendations backed by real analysis
• Take ownership of outcomes rather than simply following instructions

This role is likely not a fit if you:

• Prefer working exclusively at a desk or in a lab environment
• Have engineering experience only in high-volume, repetitive manufacturing — our work is custom, every time
• Want to design products but not concern yourself with how they're fabricated, assembled, rigged, and shipped
• Prefer theoretical process improvement without hands-on shop floor involvement
• Avoid difficult conversations about efficiency, quality, cost, or process change
• Are uncomfortable working full-time on-site in an active heavy fabrication environment
• Prefer maintaining legacy processes rather than driving real improvements

What Success Looks Like in the First Year

First 90 Days

• Build strong working relationships with Manufacturing leadership, fabrication and welding teams, assembly, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing
• Develop a thorough understanding of ACECO's products, manufacturing capabilities, current fabrication and assembly processes, and mechanical design and CAD standards
• Spend meaningful time on the shop floor learning how work flows through material prep, fabrication, welding, assembly, rigging, and shipping
• Begin reviewing in-process rigging and handling methods for large weldments and assemblies — lift points, sling selections, and below-the-hook device selections
• Learn the current ERP system and understand how manufacturing data is structured
• Identify early opportunities for process improvement and quick wins

Second Quarter

• Own the review of rigging and handling methods; coordinate engineered and critical lifts with Production Engineering as required
• Begin engineering shipping provisions for finished cranes and components — shipping fixtures, blocking and bracing, tie-downs, restraints, and preservation and packaging
• Develop CAD-based mechanical designs and detailed drawings for fabrication fixtures, supports, and factory acceptance test (FAT) setups, including test weights as needed
• Provide design-for-manufacturability input during design reviews and contribute manufacturing input to estimating and quoting
• Support the ERP transition by ensuring manufacturing data is accurate, structured, and maintainable
• Collaborate with Engineering and Production to redline drawings for design changes
• Begin developing and improving manufacturing processes for steel fabrication, welding, and large equipment assembly

Third Quarter

• Drive measurable improvements in fabrication processes — routing, work cell layout, material flow, throughput, and rework reduction
• Lead lean initiatives tailored to the engineer-to-order environment — reducing cycle time, improving first-pass yield, and eliminating waste
• Support capital equipment projects with drawing reviews, installation planning, and coordination
• Collaborate on the development of manufacturing KPIs and continuous improvement metrics
• Provide routine feedback to Engineering on design improvements that increase quality and efficiency

Fourth Quarter

• Operate as a trusted manufacturing engineering resource across the organization
• Continue driving process optimization and standardization while maintaining flexibility for custom builds
• Support equipment purchase recommendations with data-driven analysis of capabilities and efficiency gains
• Identify new technology opportunities to support and advance manufacturing
• Contribute to building a stronger continuous improvement culture on the shop floor

Why Join ACECO?

Hands-On Engineering Impact

You'll work directly with the shop floor — the welders, fitters, riggers, and assemblers who build our cranes. Your improvements will be visible in the products that ship.

Custom, Complex Work

Every crane is engineered to order. You'll solve real fabrication challenges on large, custom steel structures — not optimize the same weldment a million times.

Full Lifecycle Involvement

From material prep through fabrication, welding, assembly, rigging, FATs, and shipping — you'll touch every stage of how a crane gets built and delivered.

Cross-Functional Visibility

You'll collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, Safety, and leadership. You'll understand the full picture.

A Business in Growth Mode

ACECO is continuing to invest in people, technology, equipment, capabilities, and operational scale. The work you do will support that growth directly.

Capital Projects and Technology

You'll support equipment purchases, facility improvements, and the identification of new technology to advance manufacturing capabilities.

What You'll Do

Manufacturing Process Development and Optimization

• Develop and improve manufacturing processes for steel fabrication, welding, and large equipment assembly
• Optimize routing, work cell layout, and material flow to improve throughput and reduce rework
• Lead lean initiatives tailored to engineer-to-order environments — reduce cycle time, improve first-pass yield, and eliminate waste while maintaining flexibility for custom builds
• Maintain a deep understanding of manufacturing capabilities and areas where additional oversight is prudent

Rigging, Handling, and Shipping Engineering

• Review in-process rigging and handling methods for large weldments and assemblies, including lift points, sling selections, and below-the-hook device selections
• Coordinate engineered and critical lifts with Production Engineering as required and in advance of lifting activities
• Engineer shipping provisions for finished cranes and components — shipping fixtures, blocking and bracing, tie-downs and restraints, and preservation and packaging requirements
• Design and develop CAD drawings and models for required fixtures, supports, and factory acceptance test (FAT) setups, including test weights; coordinate with Production Engineering as required

Outsourcing, Vendor Coordination, and Make-vs-Buy

• Provide manufacturing input to estimating and quoting, including labor hours and make-versus-buy decisions
• Supply and coordinate manufacturing input for design reviews and estimating

Design for Manufacturability and Engineering Collaboration

• Create and modify mechanical designs, 2D drawings, and 3D models using AutoCAD and SolidWorks to support fabrication, fixturing, tooling, and manufacturing improvements
• Provide design-for-manufacturability input during design reviews
• Collaborate with Engineering and Production to develop and update mechanical designs and CAD drawings for fabrication changes and ensure in-process components and materials are updated
• Provide routine feedback to Production Engineering on design improvements and enhancements to increase quality and efficiency

Capital Projects, Technology, and Equipment

• Support CapEx projects with drawing reviews, installation planning, and coordination with necessary resources
• Collaborate on recommendations for equipment purchases to improve efficiency
• Identify new technology required to support manufacturing

ERP Support, Safety, and Continuous Improvement

• Support the transition of the ERP system by ensuring manufacturing data is accurate, structured, and maintainable
• Collaborate in the development of manufacturing KPIs and implementation of a continuous improvement mindset
• Collaborate with Safety on plant equipment and processes related to EHS

Other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

This role requires full-time, on-site availability Monday–Friday.

Candidates should be located within a reasonable daily commuting distance of:

531 Old Swede Road

Douglassville, PA 19518

If relocation is required, the selected candidate must relocate prior to starting. American Crane & Equipment Corporation does not provide relocation assistance.

Ideal Candidates Should Be Able to Demonstrate the Following:

• Strong fabrication and welding knowledge and hands-on manufacturing process experience
• Ability to interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, and project schedules, and develop or revise mechanical designs using AutoCAD and SolidWorks
• Experience developing and optimizing manufacturing processes in a custom or engineer-to-order environment
• Practical understanding of rigging, handling, and moving large weldments and heavy assemblies
• Practical understanding of lean manufacturing principles applied to low-volume, high-mix production
• Experience with make-versus-buy analysis and outsourcing coordination
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Purchasing
• Comfort working on the shop floor alongside production teams
• Effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Initiative and ownership mindset — identifies problems and drives solutions

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Welding Engineering, or a closely related field strongly preferred
• Associate degree with significant relevant manufacturing engineering experience will be considered
• Equivalent demonstrated experience may be considered when supported by a strong technical manufacturing background

Experience

• Meaningful experience in manufacturing engineering with a focus on steel fabrication and welding processes
• Hands-on fabrication experience — understanding of welding processes (GMAW, FCAW, SAW, SMAW), fit-up, fixturing, weld sequencing, and distortion control
• Experience interpreting blueprints, fabrication drawings, weld symbols, and GD&T
• Experience in mechanical design using CAD software (AutoCAD and SolidWorks), including creating and modifying 2D drawings and 3D models for fabrication, fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing support
• Experience with rigging engineering, heavy lift planning, or handling of large weldments and assemblies
• Experience in custom manufacturing, engineer-to-order, heavy fabrication, structural steel, or low-volume/high-mix environments strongly preferred
• Experience engineering shipping provisions — fixtures, blocking and bracing, tie-downs, preservation, and packaging for heavy or oversized components
• Experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing data management
• Experience supporting capital equipment projects — drawing reviews, installation planning, vendor coordination
• Heavy equipment, crane, material handling, structural steel, bridge, or similar heavy industrial manufacturing experience is a significant advantage

Technical & Manufacturing Skills

• Steel fabrication and welding processes (GMAW, FCAW, SAW, SMAW)
• Blueprint and fabrication drawing interpretation
• Weld symbols and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing)
• Rigging engineering and heavy lift planning
• Shipping engineering — fixtures, blocking, bracing, tie-downs, preservation
• Factory acceptance test (FAT) fixture development
• Process routing and work cell layout
• Material flow and throughput optimization
• Lean manufacturing and waste elimination
• Design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Make-versus-buy analysis
• ERP systems and manufacturing data
• Capital equipment planning and installation support
• Mechanical design and CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) — 2D drawings, 3D modeling, and fabrication/fixture design
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship
• Ability to verify identity and employment authorization through Form I-9
• Eligibility to access information or technology governed by applicable U.S. export-control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810, EAR, and/or ITAR, where applicable
• Willingness to undergo a background check in accordance with applicable laws
• Willingness to undergo a pre-employment drug screen and randomized drug testing during employment
• Ability to work full-time on-site at ACECO Plant 1 in Douglassville, PA
• Ability to meet the posted work schedule and work additional hours when manufacturing or project needs require
• Ability to maintain reliable attendance and punctuality
• Willingness to follow all company safety policies and procedures
• Willingness to wear required PPE in all designated manufacturing areas
• Willingness to complete required safety, compliance, and role-specific training
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

Work Environment

This role involves a combination of office-based engineering work and regular presence on the manufacturing floor, in fabrication and welding areas, and in assembly bays.

The Manufacturing Engineer will interact frequently with production teams, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Safety, and leadership. Significant time will be spent in active manufacturing areas observing processes, reviewing rigging and handling operations, supporting FATs, and working alongside production.

Appropriate PPE and adherence to all safety procedures are required in designated manufacturing areas.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for extended periods performing computer-based engineering work; frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and data entry
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach regularly while working on the manufacturing floor
• Ability to lift and carry materials typically up to 25–30 lbs occasionally
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing
• Comfort working in a heavy fabrication environment with typical shop conditions — noise, temperature variation, welding operations, and proximity to heavy equipment, cranes, and overhead lifting

What's In It for You?

At ACECO, this role offers the opportunity to directly improve how a growing, privately held, custom-engineered manufacturing organization builds its products.

• Competitive compensation based on experience and capability
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and paid company holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Hands-on work with custom, heavy steel structures — not repetitive assembly
• Full lifecycle involvement from fabrication through rigging, FATs, and shipping
• Direct impact on manufacturing efficiency, quality, and throughput
• Broad cross-functional exposure across Engineering, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Safety
• Opportunity to support capital projects, new technology, and ERP transformation
• Visible impact on organizational performance and growth

What to Expect From Our Hiring Process

Every application is reviewed by our internal Talent Acquisition team. We do not rely on automated screening tools.

We encourage applicants to tailor their resume to accurately reflect their manufacturing engineering experience, fabrication and welding knowledge, rigging or heavy lift experience, process improvement results, cross-functional collaboration, and measurable outcomes.

We focus on candidates who demonstrate ownership, judgment, reliability, professionalism, and attention to detail throughout the application process.

Qualified candidates typically hear from us within a few business days depending on applicant volume.

During the interview process, candidates should be prepared to discuss specific examples involving fabrication process optimization, lean initiatives, rigging and handling for large assemblies, shipping engineering, design-for-manufacturability feedback, make-versus-buy analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving on the shop floor. We will ask follow-up questions to better understand your individual role, judgment, decision-making process, and outcomes.

Ready to Apply?

We are looking for a manufacturing engineer who understands steel fabrication, thinks like a problem-solver, and wants to make a real impact on how we build our products.

If you want to improve fabrication and assembly processes inside a growing industrial organization that builds custom, engineered-to-order heavy equipment, we encourage you to apply.

Submit your application online through our Career Center.

Build your career with ACECO.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The company maintains and observes employment policies that do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, age, ancestry and any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. This applies to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, overtime, job classifications, work assignments, promotions, demotions, layoffs, terminations, transfers, and all other conditions of employment.

This position requires:

• Valid proof of identity and authorization to work in the U.S. (Form I-9)
• Eligibility to access information or technology governed by U.S. export control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810. If government authorization is required for access to controlled technology, employment or start date may be delayed or withdrawn in accordance with applicable law
• Certain positions and projects may require the ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities in compliance with NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Parts 26 & 73)

The pay for this position is dependent on circumstances including an applicant's skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, market data, and other relevant factors.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation offers a wide array of comprehensive benefit programs and services including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts to our benefits-eligible employees. Additional benefits include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid time off, paid holidays, and disability coverage. Some benefits offerings are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works.

NOTE: American Crane & Equipment Corporation is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at American Crane & Equipment Corporation without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by American Crane & Equipment Corporation as a result of the referral or through other means.