Manufacturing Engineer - Controls & Energy Recovery Systems

Position Summary
NovelAire is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer with a strong controls and automation background to support on-site production of energy recovery wheels and heat pipe technologies at our Baton Rouge, Louisiana facility. This role focuses on manufacturing process control, equipment optimization, and real-time production support for energy recovery products used in HVAC and industrial applications. The Manufacturing Engineer will work closely with Operations, Controls Engineering, Quality, and Design Engineering to deliver stable, safe, and scalable manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities
• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for energy recovery wheels, heat pipes, and related assemblies.
• Provide daily on-site manufacturing floor support, troubleshooting controls, automation, mechanical systems, and production equipment.
• Support programming, configuration, and validation of PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and industrial control systems used in manufacturing equipment.
• Lead setup, commissioning, and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment and automated processes.
• Collaborate with design and controls engineering to ensure products and equipment are designed for manufacturability, reliability, and scalability.
• Develop and maintain work instructions, routings, bills of materials, and standard operating procedures.
• Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions related to process variation, equipment downtime, quality, and throughput.
• Support Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives using data-driven methodologies.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Engineering Technology, or a closely related engineering or engineering technology discipline.

• 3–5 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial engineering role.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment, automation, or industrial controls in a production environment.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, sensors, actuators, and control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability and willingness to work on-site full-time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with energy recovery devices, HVAC systems, thermal transfer, or heat pipe technologies.

• CAD Design (Fusion 360 or Solid Edge)

• Familiarity with rotating equipment, motor drives, and electromechanical systems, 3D Printing, machining, metal fabrication

• Experience supporting automated manufacturing cells or custom-built industrial equipment.

• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification.

Core Competencies
• Strong controls-focused engineering mindset with hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve equipment, automation, and process issues in real time.
• Effective communicator comfortable working directly on the production floor.
• Detail-oriented, safety-focused, and driven by continuous improvement.