Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Methode Electronics Inc.; Rolling Meadows (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Life

Educational assistance

Paid time off

Voluntary benefits: Accident, Hospital

401(k) with company contribution

Job summary

Methode Electronics, Rolling Meadows, IL, is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize manufacturing processes, manage capital equipment projects, and support NPI through tooling, PFMEA, and production readiness activities.

You will drive process validation, equipment qualification, and capability studies, collaborating across design, quality, supply chain, and EHS to ensure readiness and compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Mechatronics Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in power products component design and manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T and SPC.
• Fluent in English; Spanish proficiency preferred for operations.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop manufacturing processes, tooling, and production systems for new product launches.
• Create and maintain process documentation (work instructions, SOPs, process flow).
• Own process definition from quoting through full production qualification.
• Develop PFMEA, control plans, preventive maintenance schedule and tooling specifications.
• Validate new equipment and complete process qualification activities.
• Ensure equipment meets EHS requirements and targets for capability.
• Work with design/system engineering, quality, supply chain, and EHS teams to ensure process readiness.
• Collaborate with suppliers on materials availability, tooling, and supply chain.

Skills

Process optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Communication

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Mechatronics Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Summary

An Advanced Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing manufacturing processes, managing capital equipment projects, ensuring process capability/validation, and supporting new product introduction (NPI) through tooling, PFMEA, and production readiness activities.

Responsibilities

Process & Technology Development

• Develop manufacturing processes, tooling, and production systems For new product launches.


• Create and maintain process documentation (work instructions, SOPs, process flow).


• Stay abreast of leading manufacturing technologies and equipment.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Process Validation

• Own process definition from quoting through full production qualification.


• Develop PFMEA, control plans, preventative maintenance schedule and tooling specifications.


• Validate new equipment and complete process qualification activities.


• Ensure capability of processes before SOP.

Capital Equipment & Project Management

• Develop cost justifications for capital equipment purchases in line with required program TAKT times.


• Lead capital equipment projects including specification, supplier selection, and qualification.

Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure equipment meets EHS requirements.


• Ensure all launched equipment meets planned capability and operational effectiveness targets.


• Ensure compliance with standards such as IATF 16949, APQP, etc (where applicable).

Cross-Functional & Supplier Collaboration

• Work with design/system engineering, quality, supply chain, and EHS teams to ensure process readiness.


• Collaborate with suppliers on materials availability, tooling, and supply chain.


• Communicate effectively with vendors and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Mechatronics Engineering (Master’s preferred).


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in power products component design and manufacturing


• Demonstrated technical depth in multiple core processes (e.g., stamping, bending, extrusion, molding, CNC machining, plating, welding, or automated assembly).


• In-depth understanding of APQP, PPAP, DFMEA/PFMEA, DVP&R, GD&T, control plans and statistical process control (SPC).


• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to present at all organizational levels.


• Fluent in English, Spanish proficiency strongly preferred for interaction with operations.


• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in friction welding (or similar metal joining technologies) and large cable assemblies.


• Successful track record leading large-scale product industrialization or technology transfer initiatives.


• Certification or training in Six Sigma, Shainin, or Lean Manufacturing methodologies.


• Ten years of experience in power products component design and manufacturing.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship. Methode Electronics is not able to provide visa sponsorship—now or in the future—for this role.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Frequent hand motion and repetitive tasks including using a computer for typing. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally do immediate reaching and overhead reaching to perform various duties, frequent standing for varied amounts of time to perform various duties, frequent walking for varied amounts of time to perform various duties. Squat or bend to perform various duties. Occasionally climb stairs.

Benefits and Perks

• Methode offers U.S. employees comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Life and Disability insurance, educational assistance, and paid time off benefits.


• Voluntary benefit plans include Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Pet Insurance coverage.


• Employees also have access to valuable discount programs that can contribute to lowering costs off certain technology, automotive, and home appliance products.


• In addition, Methode provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan, which includes a company contribution.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Methode Electronics is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics per the EEO Poster available here . If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Company Overview

Methode Electronics is a leading developer of custom-engineered and application-specific products and solutions utilizing the latest technologies. From magnetic signature sensing of mechanical and electrical properties to the revolutionary solid-state touch sensitive switches used in today's appliances and automobiles, Methode's extensive toolbox of technical solutions help our customers differentiate their products. Our regional design and customer support centers, coupled with manufacturing campuses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia allow Methode to bring a total business solution to customers worldwide. We leverage the talents of our over 5,000 employees to serve a diversified group of customers in four market areas: User Interfaces, Sensor and Switches, Power and Data. Methode helps customers win in their end markets by providing an unmatched combination of customer focus, differentiated technology, problem solving and world-class manufacturing.