Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Unifrax I LLC; City of Tonawanda (NY); On-site; USD 106,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkegen is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join the Advanced Manufacturing team. You will define and implement technologies enabling industrialization of new battery fire protection, emission control, and sealing products for automotive and energy storage markets.

Collaborate with pursuit and NPD teams to translate customer requirements into standardized manufacturing processes. You will lead capital projects, set up facilities, and drive automated processes with a modular approach, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering or related field.
• 7–10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably automotive or battery.
• Proven track record in process optimization and large-scale operations.
• Automation programming experience (PLC) and knowledge of advanced manufacturing tech.
• Strong project management and data analysis skills; effective communication and collaboration.
• Travel up to 50% as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects, facility setup and automated process implementations.
• Develop and integrate manufacturing technologies across the network for standardization.
• Collaborate with R&D and engineering to embed new technologies into production.
• Own best-practice knowledge and provide cost, throughput, and capex estimates for sales pursuit.
• Lead cross-functional teams; develop detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Work with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of quality materials and components.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaboration

PLC automation

Manufacturing optimization

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Requirements Why work for us? Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.

Summary

The Manufacturing Engineer, as part of the Advanced Manufacturing team will define and implement technologies to enable effective industrialization of new battery fire protection, emission control, and sealing products supplying the automotive industry as a tier 1 supplier, and also energy storage solutions industries. The role involves working cross-functionally to understand customer product requirements, and use this to define and implement most effective and standardized manufacturing techniques. The focus will be on new product programs, which will require close cooperation with pursuit and New Product Development teams.

Critical to the success of this professional will be their ability to be a proactive leader who is collaborative, drives for results, and directly contributes to actions needed to create new revenue platforms by implementing most effective manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

Technology Identification and Integration:

• The role is responsible for capital projects, facility set-up and implementation of automated manufacturing process while retaining a modular and adaptable approach.
• The role will lead the technology development and implementation for efficient and flexible automated processes, involving the right level of robotics, and data gathering.
• Based on a clear understanding of customer requirements. Evaluate and integrate advanced part manufacturing technologies, striving towards standardized solutions across the network.
• Collaborate with R&D and engineering teams to incorporate new technologies into production processes.
• Own and systemize technology best practice knowledge.
• Support sales pursuit teams with standardized production costs, pieces per hour assumptions, overhead and capex estimates.
• Consider how to take a modular approach to allow flexibility in the process and ability to adapt to changing requirements and demand.

Safety and Sustainability

• Ensure that all new manufacturing processes prioritize safety and environmental sustainability.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Ensure that all new manufacturing processes comply with industry standards and regulations, including IATF, ISO 9001 and other automotive-specific requirements.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to develop and maintain quality metrics and address non-conformance issues.

Project Management:

• Lead cross-functional teams to implement capital projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets for manufacturing improvements.
• Work closely with suppliers and vendors to ensure the timely supply of quality materials and components.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead technical teams and resources across the sites to ensure excellent collaboration, best practice sharing, and a focus on results.

Key Competencies

• Is a consistent role model for the Alkegen Core Values.
• Be able to lead, coach, and develop team members.
• Have a strong sense of urgency and proven ability to turn innovation into action.
• Be highly motivated and possess vision and enthusiasm.
• Possess influencing and networking skills to drive results in a matrix organization.
• Understand how to deliver on short time frames and be committed to meeting deadlines.
• Communicate in an open and honest way that quickly builds trust and respect.
• Drives execution with the team and has a bias towards action.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, preferably within the automotive supply or battery industries.
• Proven track record in process optimization, efficiency improvement, and managing large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies and industry standards, particularly in the context of battery components.
• Automation programming experience (PLC)
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with experience in managing and developing high-performance teams.
• Excellent project management skills with proficiency in software such as Microsoft Project or similar tools.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with statistical process control and manufacturing data analysis.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
• Travel: Up to 50% of the time may be required at certain times.

Compensation:

Base salary range 105,829 - 132,286 Annually Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If you are interested in being part of a world class function here at Alkegen then we would love to hear from you. At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people – ALL PEOPLE – breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran’s status, or any other protected class.

Alkegen is a specialty materials leader serving mission-critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including: battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy, and live greener.

We help people breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. Our experience speaks for itself. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer with the global reach and talent to solve your most demanding applications. With 60 manufacturing facilities and 9,000+ highly skilled employees located around the world, we can solve any challenge. Dedicated to sustainability and human health, we are uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.