Workforce Wednesday: Meet a Manufacturing Engineer
“We’re part of a small group of people who are responsible for helping feed the world and that's invigorating,” said Dave Staroscik, a manufacturing engineer with Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc. “You don’t normally think about that, but we really do have an impact on feeding the world.”
Staroscik began working for Reinke in 2005. The company is one of the largest and oldest manufacturers of the center pivot and lateral irrigation systems in the world.
Staroscik began his professional career following high school by earning an Associate Degree in Machine Tool and Design from Southeast Community College in Nebraska.
“There are advantages to earning an associate degree,” he said. “It quickly gives you the opportunity to go into a STEM field and come out of that school with the ability to get a job fairly quickly and still have time to figure out exactly what you want to do in life.”
Staroscik later earned a Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Technology from Peru State College, which is a Nebraska State College.
Prior to joining the Reinke team, he worked in several positions where he grew to love working in hands-on positions and learned skills that would eventually help him move into his role with Reinke.
“When I was with my first company, I had an opportunity to learn things like AutoCAD and get into more of a role that I’m in today with manufacturing engineering,” he said.
Today, Staroscik works as a manufacturing engineer manager, and says much of his job centers around project management.
"I have had an opportunity to introduce some lean manufacturing concepts that help improve efficiencies,” he said. “We don’t do things without a purpose.”
Day-to-day, Staroscik says his job is heavily project based.
“There's always something going on,” he said.
He works with a variety of groups daily from contractors to vendors to other staff. His job requires that he ensures projects remain on track and that all parties involved with a particular project are communicating and working together to achieve their goal.
He sometimes helps troubleshoot equipment with maintenance staff to ensure proper performance or address issues as needed. Staroscik also works with facility layouts when it comes to how products will flow through their facility.
Additionally, he works in research and development to test out potential improvements or new ways of manufacturing products to ensure efficiency for the company and for their customers.
“My role has many hats,” Staroscik said.
Despite having many job duties, Staroscik says he enjoys his career.
“I enjoy the concept of creating, developing, and evolving,” he said “I get to impact not only how we do things but how well. The intent is to have a positive impact on the work you’re doing. So, that’s enjoyable.”
Staroscik also teaches students how to use AutoCAD software and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling at nearby Deshler Public School. He encourages those considering their futures to consider the things they enjoy doing when selecting a career.
“Although there are days you’ll be uncomfortable trying to figure out how to do things, you have to push yourself through those feelings and make something of it,” he said.
What is a lesson that you learned later into your career that you would have liked to have known on day 1?
As I have aged through manufacturing engineering, this is a four-part answer.
1. You need to understand your limits and not overpromise your abilities.
2. Take the education you earned and apply it, but also be willing to expand on it. Always be learning.
3. The opportunities you’ve been given are not something you are entitled to. Embrace every opportunity.
4. Be dependable.
These are the things that will carry you through.
