Our people create our best Plexus.
WHO WE ARE
We're a global team of over 19,000 engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and aftermarket service experts who partner with customers to bring their products to life through inspired innovation and world-class customer service.
We are passionate about innovating, creating and delivering products that change people's lives. From surgical devices and health monitors to warehouse robotics and space products, we partner with our customers to help create the products that build a better world.
Whether you're looking to start, make a change or advance your career, find your path at Plexus Corp. and leave your mark on the world.
WHY WE LOVE IT
Engaging and challenging projects that fulfill and develop you. People that inspire and empower you to realize your full potential. Leadership and development programs to support your career goals. A workplace centered on inclusion and collaboration. At Plexus, we're at our best when opportunities are met with passion, open communication and teamwork.
HOW YOU WILL DO IT
Purpose Statement: A manufacturing systems engineer works as part of the site engineering team to design, support and develop systems affecting the manufacturing cycle of a product from supply through production. A systematic approach continuous improvement methods, materials and technology, across departmental boundaries, is required. The latest computer technology and methods are applied to maintain efficient manufacturing systems to support producing high-quality product at the lowest cost, and in the shortest time.
Key Job Accountabilities:
Lead continuous improvement review existing applications and determining feasibility of new applications prior to development.Development of applications is required. Ability to learn new programming languages and demonstrate proficiency in this area.Serve as subject matter expert and data steward for all systems developed and maintained by the group. Provide direction for other groups looking to leverage other internal systems and data.Support the implementation of manufacturing systems software with follow on support to ensure all existing business requirements have been met with an overall improvement to operational efficiency.Works well in mentoring and utilizing supportive efforts of other department personnel to develop applications, implement changes, etc. and gains acceptance of new or revised processes and implementation procedures.
Additional Accountabilities:
Support the development of a plan and transition of new manufacturing systems at a site to ensure readiness and comprehension of change.Communicates project status and issues to the project manager(s) to ensure timely resolution and achievement of project milestones.This position will be responsible for seeking improvements of manufacturing processes through involvement in department projects. Promotes the identification of new technology to lead in the identification of new methods to reduce cost in manufacturing systems projects.Provides input when purchasing decisions need to be made for manufacturing equipment with regards to support for systems interface and automation.Provide knowledge of the data relationships, business requirements and metadata attributed to all enterprise reporting repositories in assigned areas. Act as the liaison to the user community and the data warehouse team for change requests and issue resolution within their content area.Understanding of electronic hardware, PCB population, SMT process techniques, module assembly and test.Responsible for creating all required supporting documentation and or instructions.Support development and adoption of company best practices for software. Support and champion user groups as required.Minimal travel may be required to meet the needs of the business (estimated 5%).Additional duties as assigned.
Education/Experience Qualifications:
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering is required; a Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required. Two (2) years of related experience is required; Two (2) or more years of related experience is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the key job accountabilities may be considered.
Other Qualifications:
Intermediate Decision making, Problem Solving SkillsIntermediate Verbal and Written Communication SkillsIntermediate Modeling and Manipulation KnowledgeIntermediate ProgrammingIntermediate ManufacturingIntermediate Technical JudgmentIntermediate InnovationIntermediate Operational KnowledgeBasic Industry KnowledgeIntermediate TeamworkBasic ResilienceIntermediate Influence & NegotiationBasic GlobalizationVB, .NET, C-Sharp, HTMLMS OfficeSQL / OracleGeneral office equipment and materials
Work Environment:
The work setting should consist of an office environment with suitable lighting, comfortable temperatures, and a low noise level.
This document does not represent a contract of employment and is not intended to capture every possible assignment the incumbent could be asked to perform.
Some offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a drug screen and upon completion of a confidentiality agreement.Our Values and How We Lead behaviors guide our processes. Plexus does not make employment decisions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and encourage all to apply today!Globally, our policy is to recruit people from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, our company does not typically undertake sponsorship, including for H-1B, TN, and other nonimmigrant visas. Additionally, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.
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How to hire a manufacturing systems engineer
Manufacturing systems engineer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring manufacturing systems engineers in the United States:
- The median cost to hire a manufacturing systems engineer is $1,633.
- It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
- HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
- Small businesses spend $1,105 per manufacturing systems engineer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
- It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
- There are a total of 115,663 manufacturing systems engineers in the US, and there are currently 118,696 job openings in this field.
- Fremont, CA, has the highest demand for manufacturing systems engineers, with 6 job openings.
How to hire a manufacturing systems engineer, step by step
To hire a manufacturing systems engineer, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a manufacturing systems engineer:
Here's a step-by-step manufacturing systems engineer hiring guide:
- Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
- Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
- Step 3: Make a budget
- Step 4: Write a manufacturing systems engineer job description
- Step 5: Post your job
- Step 6: Interview candidates
- Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new manufacturing systems engineer
- Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
What does a manufacturing systems engineer do?
A manufacturing systems engineer works to integrate entire manufacturing processes. The role of a manufacturing system engineer includes integrating a wide range of systems from production to supplies and sales, participating in a project from beginning to end, budgeting and performing resource allocation. They must also integrate the manufacturing process to allow for maximum production volume at lower costs and within a shorter time period.
Post a manufacturing systems engineer job for free, promote it for a fee
Identify your hiring needs
The manufacturing systems engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.
Determine employee vs contractor statusIs the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a manufacturing systems engineer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a manufacturing systems engineer that fits the bill.
Here's a comparison of manufacturing systems engineer salaries for various roles:
Type of Manufacturing Systems Engineer Description Hourly rate Manufacturing Systems Engineer Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service. $30-53 Tool Engineer A tooling engineer is responsible for creating and adjusting tools or parts for cars, heavy equipment, and other products that need customized or personalized components. Your duties and responsibilities will include creating design blueprints, using computer-aided (CAD) software to develop two- and three-dimensional prints, and validating and evaluating products... Show more $36-64 Engineer Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more $31-62 Create an ideal candidate profile
Common skills:- MES
- SQL
- Lean Manufacturing
- Project Management
- Process Control
- Sigma
- HMI
- PLC
- Database
- Shop Floor
- CAD
- Control Systems
- Production Lines
- Execution System
Responsibilities:- Manage new CNC plasma steel plate cutting work center, product assembly methods, quality standards, & BOM.
- Lead department in internal/external ISO quality environmental audits.
- Lead several independent, cross-functional projects and improve manufacturing quality, reduce cost, ensure environment are supported and FDA compliant.
- Plan and implement PLC maintenance.
- Support line team with PLC and SCADA troubleshooting.
- Release BOM for all the engineering jobs using ERP software.
Make a budget
Including a salary range in your manufacturing systems engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A manufacturing systems engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.
For example, the average salary for a manufacturing systems engineer in South Dakota may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level manufacturing systems engineer usually earns less than a senior-level manufacturing systems engineer. Additionally, a manufacturing systems engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.
Average manufacturing systems engineer salary
$84,708yearly
$40.73 hourly rateEntry-level manufacturing systems engineer salary$64,000 yearly salaryUpdated December 16, 2025Average manufacturing systems engineer salary by state
Rank State Avg. salary Hourly rate 1 California $109,255 $53 2 New Jersey $102,656 $49 3 Washington $98,791 $48 4 Massachusetts $95,726 $46 5 Texas $88,858 $43 6 Ohio $88,029 $42 7 Michigan $87,164 $42 8 Arizona $87,044 $42 9 Illinois $85,473 $41 10 Missouri $81,937 $39 11 Minnesota $81,231 $39 12 Oregon $80,559 $39 13 Georgia $75,939 $37 14 Indiana $70,733 $34 15 Wisconsin $69,518 $33 Average manufacturing systems engineer salary by company
Rank Company Average salary Hourly rate Job openings 1 Meta $120,539 $57.95 689 2 Waters $104,231 $50.11 13 3 Watson Pharma Pvt Ltd $102,767 $49.41 4 Carbon $102,608 $49.33 5 KLA $102,054 $49.06 28 6 Amgen $100,308 $48.23 43 7 Bloom Energy $98,768 $47.48 18 8 Pwc $98,226 $47.22 653 9 Pfizer $98,019 $47.12 8 10 Caterpillar $97,678 $46.96 58 11 Oracle $97,338 $46.80 841 12 Intel $97,226 $46.74 17 13 Corning Incorporated $97,170 $46.72 89 14 Entegris $95,999 $46.15 17 15 DXC Technology $94,581 $45.47 6 16 Semtech $94,552 $45.46 1 17 Baker Hughes $93,947 $45.17 18 18 Tesla $93,837 $45.11 88 19 MTS Systems $92,656 $44.55 20 Cypress Semiconductor $91,660 $44.07 Writing a manufacturing systems engineer job description
A manufacturing systems engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a manufacturing systems engineer job description:
Manufacturing systems engineer job description example
Post your job
To find manufacturing systems engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:
- Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
- Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any manufacturing systems engineers they would recommend.
- Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level manufacturing systems engineers with the right educational background.
- Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
- Post your manufacturing systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit manufacturing systems engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
- Use field-specific websites.
- Post a job on free websites.
Interview candidates
To successfully recruit manufacturing systems engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.
It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.
The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.
Send a job offer and onboard your new manufacturing systems engineer
Once you've decided on a perfect manufacturing systems engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.
It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.
To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.
Go through the hiring process checklist
- Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
- Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
- Define job responsibilities and requirements
- Establish budget and timeline
- Determine hiring decision makers for the role
- Write job description
- Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
- Promote the job internally
- Process applications through applicant tracking system
- Review resumes and cover letters
- Shortlist candidates for screening
- Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
- Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
- Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
- Conduct background checks on top candidates
- Check references of top candidates
- Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
- Extend offer to top candidate(s)
- Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
- Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
- Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
- Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a manufacturing systems engineer?
Before you start to hire manufacturing systems engineers, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire manufacturing systems engineers pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.
You can expect to pay around $84,708 per year for a manufacturing systems engineer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for manufacturing systems engineers in the US typically range between $30 and $53 an hour.
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Updated December 16, 2025