Manufacturing Engineer

Company Profile:

The founders of Travis® Body & Trailer, Inc. began operations in 1989 after purchasing the facilities of CMC Trailers, Inc. in Houston, Texas. During the first year, Travis manufactured only the classic aluminum end dump trailer. These trailers were little changed from the older CMC designs from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Travis has grown rapidly in size and national market share since those early days. This growth was stimulated by both overall industry demand as well as by the determination of the Travis team to become number 1 in quality through both expert fabrication and innovation.

Job Purpose:

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, improving, and supporting manufacturing processes for aluminum dump trailers, including end dump, bottom dump, and transfer trailer systems. This role focuses on optimizing fabrication, welding, assembly, and production efficiency while maintaining safety, quality, and cost targets.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Process Development & Optimization

• Design and implement efficient manufacturing processes for aluminum trailer components and assemblies.
• Develop and maintain process flow diagrams, work instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Optimize production line layouts for welding, fabrication, and final assembly.
• Identify opportunities for cycle time reduction, waste elimination, and cost savings.

1. Welding & Fabrication Engineering

• Support aluminum welding processes (MIG/TIG), including thin and thick gauge materials.
• Develop weld sequences, fixturing, and distortion control methods.
• Work closely with welding teams to ensure structural integrity and cosmetic quality.
• Ensure compliance with internal quality requirements.
• Develop and optimize CNC plasma cutting processes for aluminum sheets, plates, and structural components.
• Improve material utilization and reduce scrap through optimized nesting strategies.

1. 3. Product Design Support (DFM)

• Collaborate with design engineering to ensure Design for Manufacturability (DFM).
• Provide feedback on:
• Structural frame components

1. 4. Tooling & Fixtures

• Design, specify, and implement welding fixtures and assembly jigs.
• Improve fixture ergonomics and repeatability for high-volume production.
• Work with suppliers to procure tooling and capital equipment.

1. Production Support

• Provide daily support to fabrication, welding, and assembly teams.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to:
• Fit-up problems
• Welding defects
• Plasma cut quality (dross, bevel, warping)
• Nesting inefficiencies
• Fit-up mismatches between cut part
• Assembly alignment
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

1. 6. Continuous Improvement (Lean Manufacturing)

• Lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives:
• 5S implementation
• Value stream mapping
• Kaizen events
• Improve productivity, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Improve:
• Material utilization (key KPI for aluminum cost)
• Cutting cycle time
• Downstream welding efficiency

1. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure products meet internal and external quality standards.
• Support root cause analysis for defects and warranty issues.
• Implement process controls and mistake-proofing (poka-yoke).
• Work with QA to maintain inspection standards and documentation.

1. New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Support new trailer model launches (end dump, bottom dump, transfer systems).
• Develop manufacturing plans, validate processes, and conduct trial builds.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams during pilot production.

1. 9. Safety & Ergonomics

• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with safety standards.
• Identify and mitigate ergonomic risks in welding and assembly operations.
• Support implementation of safe work practices and training.

Essential Skills, Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial discipline.
• Minimum of five (5) years of manufacturing experience.
• Welding processes (MIG/TIG, pulsed MIG preferred)
•  
• Proficiency in:
• CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar)
• ERP/MRP systems
• Microsoft Office tools
• Familiarity with metal cutting plasma systems & CNC table operations
• ProNest (Hypertherm nesting software)
• EnRoute / N-route CNC programming
• Dealing with complexity, leadership, supervision, lean principles, manufacturing methods and procedures, manufacturing quality.
• Soft Skills
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Ability to work on the production floor and handle multiple priorities.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented mindset
• Any other duties assigned by Manager.
• Valid TX DL

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Occasionally lifting and carrying 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Occasionally pulling and pushing 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Repeated reaching over head.
• Occasionally kneeling, stooping, bending and turning at waist.
• Occasionally climbing ladder above 2 ft.
• Able to wear PPE when working in production area: safety glasses, steel to shoes, etc.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Work Hours and Schedules:

• Monday thru Friday 7:30 AM – 05:00 PM
• Additional overtime as needed.

Key Competencies:

Behaviors and skills are essential to the specific position or work environment that are measured through the approach and results achieved for the position.

Consistently Achieves Results - Effectively manages budgets; meets planned financial targets; achieves both top and bottom-line growth objectives; readily produces strategies for reducing or avoiding costs without compromising quality; meets the Customer’s satisfaction level; meets or exceeds the standards set for the position specific responsibilities.

Analytical Abilities - Makes recommendations based on solid assumptions when solving complex problems; analyzes data to obtain meaningful information; identifies conflicting or inaccurate information.

Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at first answers.

Interpersonal Skills - Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the company; builds appropriate rapport; listens; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; truly values people; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.

Customer Focus - Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external Customers; gets Customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; considers Customers in all business practices; establishes and maintains effective relationships with Customers.