Manufacturing Engineer I (Entry Level)
SmartCover Systems
Badger Meter - Where Every Drop Counts and So Do You
At Badger Meter, we're more than a leading global water technology company - we're innovators with a mission: to preserve and protect the world's most precious resource. For over 120 years, our trusted solutions have enabled our customers to optimize the delivery and use of water, maximize revenue and reduce waste.
Every employee at Badger Meter is an important part of our success. Here, your work doesn't just move a business forward - it shapes a more sustainable future. We are committed to building a workplace where we celebrate differences, empower voices, and encourage fresh ideas that drive innovation.
When you join us, you'll find:
Purpose-driven work that makes a real difference in communities around the globe.
Career growth and development opportunities designed to help you achieve your potential.
A supportive, inclusive culture where collaboration and creativity thrive.
Be part of something bigger. At Badger Meter, your contributions will ripple far beyond the workplace - creating lasting change for people and the planet.
What You Will Contribute:
Are you an early‑career engineer ready to turn ideas into real‑world impact?
At Badger Meter, we’re looking for a motivated Sustaining Manufacturing Engineer I who’s eager to learn, solve meaningful technical challenges, and play a hands‑on role in advancing the reliability, quality, and performance of our products. In this position, you won’t just sit behind a desk—you’ll be at the heart of our manufacturing operations, working directly with cross‑functional teams to troubleshoot issues, improve processes, and support new product launches.
If you’re passionate about engineering, excited by problem‑solving, and ready to contribute to projects that help deliver smart water solutions worldwide, this is your opportunity to join a company where your work truly matters. You’ll grow your skills, gain experience across multiple sites, and make a measurable impact from day one.
The Sustaining Manufacturing Engineer I is responsible for assisting with product support issues, customer troubleshooting, and validation testing in support of Badger's Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost goals and objectives. The Engineer I will assist with process and equipment improvement and apply engineering fundamentals to test scenarios, troubleshoot, and analyze tolerances on design. The incumbent must have the willingness and ability to learn, work effectively in a multi-discipline team, and demonstrate effective problem-solving initiative, and motivation.
The Engineer I will play a key role in Badger Meter’s continuous improvement initiatives by acting as the manufacturing engineer for our registration product lines, registration-related new product developments, and various continuous improvement projects. Regular visits to our various manufacturing sites are required with domestic and international travel necessary one to two times per year. This will be an onsite role at our Milwaukee facility.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
Support manufacturing operations by troubleshooting production issues and making necessary repairs in a timely manner. Assist with current product support issues, troubleshooting customer and production issues, and validation.
Support the New Product Development process when the transfer of released products is turned over to production for full release.
Initiate and implement engineering change requests
Design and perform product and design verification tests.
Create Level III (specific work task) procedures and supporting process documents and work instructions for the production floor that support high-quality processes and capable equipment.
Contribute to all ISO audits conducted on the production floor to assure all certifications are obtained as required.
Research safe, reliable, and cost-effective equipment and processes that assure products are produced at established safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives; offer suggestions for process improvements.
Learn and apply project management basics to manufacturing-based projects to ensure projects meet cost and timing objectives.
Learn and apply established Lean Six Sigma tools that are used across the organization.
Become familiar with and apply Badger Meter safety policies to all projects and equipment
Must be willing to work 50% of the time on the Manufacturing Floor, and 50% of the time at the desk.
Support production floor on weekends in areas of expertise if needed
Willingness to travel up to 5% of the year. (typically, 1-2 trips to Badger Meter’s Mexico Manufacturing site)
Ability to effectively use appropriate quality techniques to assure the highest possible product quality
Research, evaluate, and implement new manufacturing, assembly, test, and pack technologies that place Badger Meter Inc. in a position of technological leadership to enhance the quality, reliability, and value of products and services to the customer while improving the cost position of the company
Create written procedures that support high-quality processes and capable equipment
Maintain current testing and assembly processes and implement new testing and assembly processes to meet standards
Basic computer skills and upgrades.
QUALIFICATIONS:
No previous experience required
Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field
Experience with statistical tools to aid in data-driven decision-making is highly preferred.
Familiarity with PFMEA, DFMA preferred
Basic understanding of SQL or related database language preferred
Understanding of Lean Six Sigma principles (green belt level) preferred. (certification not required)
Ability to operate on a manufacturing floor as applicable
Basic to intermediate computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project. (Preferred)
Strong problem-solving skills (Preferred)
Ability to analyze a design from an assembly and manufacturability perspective (Preferred)
Working Conditions:
Depending on the assigned department, must complete an audiogram test
#LI-Onsite
Competitive Total Rewards at Badger Meter:
Competitive Pay
Annual Bonus
Eligible for Annual Pay Increases
Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Coverage
15 days Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
Two Ways to Save for Retirement: Badger Meter contributes 25 cents for every dollar you contribute to the plan, up to 7% of your eligible compensation. In addition to the match, the company will also contribute 5% of your eligible compensation to your Defined Contribution account on an annual basis. Additional access to a certified financial planner to help ensure your money is working for you, at no cost!
Employer Paid benefits including: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Basic Group Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and more
Educational Assistance – Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250
Voluntary benefits including: Additional Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness coverage
Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Applicants can learn more about their rights regarding equal opportunity in employment by viewing the federal "EEO is the Law" poster and the “EEO is the Law” poster supplement at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm
Badger Meter complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local disability laws. This means that we will reasonably accommodate qualified employees with a disability if accommodation would allow them to perform the essential functions of their job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.
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