Highland Engineering, Inc. (HEI) was founded in 1986 – and has become one of the leading small business suppliers of Military Troop Support Equipment to the Department of Defense. Our emphasis has always been on solving the needs of our customers. Highland is an employee owned company and HEI takes pride in the average tenure of our employees is more than 10 years. HEI is proud to maintain a drug-free workplace supporting our troops and the DoD.
Job Title: General Assembly – Carpentry Focus
Location: On-Site - Howell, MI
Eligibility: Must be eligible to work for a U.S. DoD Contractor
Terms: Full-Time; Non-Exempt
Job Summary: The General Assembly – Carpentry Focus role supports manufacturing operations by performing assembly and light to moderate carpentry work related to product builds, crating, packaging and structural metal and wood components. This position works from work instructions and drawings to ensure products are assembled accurately, safely and in compliance with company and program requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assembly components and subassemblies according to work instructions and drawings.
- Perform carpentry-related assembly tasks including measuring, cutting, fastening, framing and building metal and wood structures or creates.
- Construct custom shipping crates and packaging solutions to protect finished products.
- Use hand tools, power tools, and basic shop equipment safely and effectively.
- Verify parts and materials prior to assembly.
- Maintain quality standards to ensure finished assemblies meet specifications.
- Follow established production schedules and meet output expectations.
- Identify and report defects, material shortages, or process concerns.
- Maintain a clean, organized and safe work environment.
- Comply with all company safety and defense-related requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support production operations.
What We Value:
- Operate with ownership: We value individuals who take ownership of their role, proactively solve problems and bring forward ideas for continuous improvement.
- Process-minded: Comfortable following established processes and accurately documenting actions in a structured, disciplined manner.
- Effective communicator: Able to communicate proactively and professionally with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering and executive leadership.
- Dependable and discreet: Understands the sensitivity of the company and customer information and handles it responsibly and confidentially.
- Mission-driven: Appreciates the responsibility and impact of working in a DoD manufacturing environment and acts with integrity and accountability.
Qualifications:
- High School diploma or GED preferred.
- Experience with basic carpentry tools and techniques.
- Ability to read a tape measure accurately and perform basic math.
- Mechanical aptitude and comfort using hand and power tools.
- Ability to follow work instructions and basic drawings.
- Ability to lift materials and perform physical tasks throughout the shift.
- Reliable attendance and punctuality.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Prior manufacturing or shop experience.
- Experience building crates, frames or structural wood components.
- Basic blueprint reading ability.
