Manufacturing Engineer

Job Title

Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

The Manufacturing Engineer plays a key role in improving dimensional quality for body and general assembly parts and subassemblies in both launch and steady-state production. This role focuses on driving continuous improvement in on-target metrics, reducing variation, and ensuring robust body and general assembly integration. The engineer leads dimensional problem-solving activities, supports tooling and process optimization, and collaborates closely with production, quality, design, suppliers, and program teams to enhance final vehicle quality and manufacturing performance.

Responsibilities

• Improve dimensional quality for body and general assembly parts and subassemblies in launch and steady-state production, driving continuous improvement in on-target metrics and reducing variation.
• Ensure and monitor proper integration of body and general assembly processes to support consistent vehicle build quality.
• Use Red X and other structured problem-solving tools to quickly identify root causes and correct dimensional and quality issues.
• Lead dimensional problem-solving activities related to dimensional requirements, manufacturing processes, and final vehicle status quality.
• Manage and collaborate with suppliers to correct and improve dimensional performance of their parts and subassemblies.
• Implement, maintain, and monitor dimensional process control and measurement plans for subassemblies, assemblies, and finished vehicles.
• Provide process and tooling support, recommending tooling changes and adjustments that improve the build process and product quality.
• Conduct tooling 101 and repeatability studies on tooling as required to ensure stability and capability.
• Support laser scanning activities, including verifying nominal dimensions and creating additional measurement points to enhance dimensional analysis.
• Participate in and support program launch and issue resolution teams with dimensional studies, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret dimensional data from the plant to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor plant dimensional data and use statistical process control methods to maintain and improve process capability.
• Create, maintain, and analyze SPC charts to track process performance and drive data-based decision making.
• Take nominal measurements and review product geometry to support problem solving and dimensional validation.
• Work cross-functionally with production, quality, design, and program management to resolve manufacturing issues and improve processes.
• Communicate findings, recommendations, and status updates clearly and effectively to various levels of leadership.

Essential Skills

• 35 years of experience as a manufacturing or process engineer.
• Experience working in an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) environment.
• Strong dimensional and body experience in automotive, including trim and chassis.
• Proficiency in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies such as Red X.
• Thorough knowledge of tooling and manufacturing processes for body and general assembly.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret dimensional data from production systems.
• Experience monitoring plant dimensional data and using it to drive corrective actions.
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and ability to create, maintain, and analyze SPC charts.
• Ability to take nominal measurements and review product geometry for problem-solving purposes.
• Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• High level of oral and written communication skills to convey technical information clearly.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with product engineering, manufacturing engineering, plant personnel, and suppliers.
• High level of analytical ability to solve complex manufacturing and dimensional problems.
• Automotive manufacturing launch experience, including support of new program introductions.
• Knowledge of body and trim assembly processes in an automotive environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or manufacturing process optimization.
• Exposure to machining and assembly operations in a high-volume manufacturing setting.
• Ability to develop and refine work instructions to support consistent production.
• Experience supporting final assembly and vehicle launch activities.