Manufacturing Engineer 1 (Shift 1, Alajuela)

About the role

Smith & Nephew is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer 1 (Level P1) in Alajuela, Costa Rica, for a Monday-to-Friday shift (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) plus Saturday mornings (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). The role provides general, entry-level support to the engineering department on a daily basis or on assigned projects, verifies and tests project metrics and ensures compliance with Quality Systems requirements. It is open only to internal candidates.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare validations of equipment, fixtures or basic processes (IQ/OQ/PQ/PPQ) for the manufacturing line.
• Support production lines with equipment, tools or fixtures, preparing documents such as NCs, investigations and rework instructions, and prioritise reducing process variation.
• Support issues with components and raw materials so they do not affect production, and help reduce scrap and improve first-pass yield.
• Maintain close cooperation with the Quality Department on specifications, raw materials, plans and the final product.
• Create or update documentation (work instructions, routings, BOMs, pFMEAs, ECNs, non-conformity reports, lab notebooks, engineering schedules) and schedule project meetings.
• Carry out engineering studies, improve or redesign fixtures, and take part in 5S, SPC or other productivity programmes.
• Train personnel in process changes if required, and raise technical problems to the managers of Engineering, Production and Quality and the R&D area.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial, Electronics, Electromechanical, Mechatronics, Chemical or Biotechnological).
• Internal applicant: demonstrated experience in production or sustaining tasks at S&N; external applicants: 0-1 year of manufacturing engineering experience; internships and practicum count.
• English at conversational level (60%) and written (70%).
• Ability to work under pressure, in a team and with people at all levels.

Required skills

• Basic SAP functions.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Desirable: GMP, 5S and Lean, SolidWorks or equivalent, Minitab or similar statistical software, validation protocols, sampling plans, GD&T, MSA, value stream mapping.

What we offer

• Stock purchase program, referral bonus, transport and food subsidy, recognition programme.
• Extra days off, birthday off, voluntary hours, company doctor, medical insurance, gym, health campaigns, employee assistance programme, parental leave.
• Training programme and unlimited learning.
• Hybrid work model for more professional roles and flexible schedules.