Engineering Specialist

Ford Motor; Windsor; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive manufacturer in Windsor, Canada is seeking an Engineering Specialist to enhance manufacturing processes. The role involves applying Lean methodologies, leading continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborating with various departments to ensure production efficiency. Candidates should possess a diploma in industrial engineering and have strong problem-solving skills. This is a full-time position offering a dynamic work environment focused on quality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events.
• Knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

Responsibilities

• Lead deployment of the Ford Production System and Lean methodologies.
• Design and standardize manufacturing processes.
• Develop and track process metrics such as Jobs Per Hour and yield.

Skills

Lean principles

Problem-solving methods

Root Cause Analysis

Statistical Process Control

Effective communication

Coaching and development

Analytical thinking

Education

Diploma in industrial engineering

Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Minitab

AutoCAD

Visio

Job description

The Engineering Specialist would collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Product Development for standardized, stable manufacturing processes. You will utilize Industrial Engineering methods and Lean tools—including Value Stream Mapping, 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Kaizen (continuous improvement), Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED), Poka-Yoke (Mistake-Proofing), standard work, Daily Time and Management, and Gemba (the actual place where work happens)—to eliminate waste, improve Jobs Per Hour (JPH) and first pass yield, and embed continuous improvement. This role requires hands-on problem-solving, strong facilitation for cross-functional Kaizen events, and technical skill to translate process requirements into robust manufacturing controls and work instructions. You will also train and coach operators, process coaches, and engineers to sustain improvements and meet production targets

Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Diploma in industrial engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical discipline.

Experience:

• 2+ Years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment, applying Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies such as Kaizen (continuous improvement), 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), Value Stream Mapping, and Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED).
• 1+ Years experience facilitating Kaizen events and utilizing problem-solving methods like Root Cause Analysis and Eight Disciplines Problem Solving (8D).
• 1+ Years experience of process documentation practices, including standard work, control plans, and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
• Availability to work in shifts (morning/afternoon/evening) as required.

Preferred requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.

Experience:

• 3+ years’ experience in automotive or other high-volume production environments.
• Certified in Lean or Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher), or an equivalent continuous improvement credential.
• Experience with Ford Production System (FPS) or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) production systems, including Jobs Per Hour (JPH) methodologies and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) implementation.
• Familiarity with unionized environments, labor/contract constraints, and contractor coordination.
• Knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), basic automation principles, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) layout tools (AutoCAD, Visio).
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), and advanced data-driven problem-solving.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, along with data/statistical tools (e.g., Minitab) for capability analysis.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, enabling presentations to multi-disciplinary teams and leadership of cross-functional workshops.
• Results-oriented, driving and sustaining measurable improvements.
• Collaborative, building effective cross-functional relationships and influencing across all levels.
• Aptitude for coaching and development, fostering Lean thinking and standard work in others.
• Analytical thinker, using data for decision-making and validating improvements.
• Safety-minded, prioritizing workplace safety and compliance in all activities.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ford of Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a culturally diverse workforce. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment, selection and / or assessment processes, where needed, are available upon request. Please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require.

Candidates for this position must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited does not sponsor work permit applications.

#LI-SHERMAN

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:

• Lead deployment of the Ford Production System and Lean methodologies by planning and facilitating Kaizen (continuous improvement) events, rapid improvement workshops, and Value Stream Mapping sessions.
• Design and standardize manufacturing processes, work instructions, standard work, and visual controls to ensure repeatable, safe, and high-quality production.
• Support manufacturing operations and launch readiness through time studies, line balancing, process capability analysis, and layout optimization to improve Jobs Per Hour and throughput.
• Lead root cause analysis using methodologies such as 5-Why, Fishbone diagrams, and Eight Disciplines Problem Solving, implementing corrective and preventive actions to reduce defects, scrap, and downtime.
• Develop and track process metrics including Jobs Per Hour, yield, scrap, downtime, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness, reporting performance to stakeholders and driving countermeasures to meet targets.
• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, and Product Development for PFMEA reviews, control plan updates, and change control for process and equipment modifications.
• Support a continuous improvement culture by training and coaching operators, process coaches, and engineers in Lean tools, standard work, and problem-solving methods.
• Coordinate with maintenance and external vendors for equipment modifications, SMED initiatives, and preventive maintenance.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation, including process documentation, job aids, workstation layouts, and risk assessments, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental procedures.
• Provide technical support during production incidents and emergency recoveries, actively participating in shift meetings and Gemba walks.
• Contribute to project management activities, including defining scope, timelines, and resource needs for improvement projects.