Assembly Engineer III

SL Tennessee; Clinton (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SL Tennessee is seeking an Assembly Engineer Level 3 to oversee automotive assembly processes at the manufacturing facility. You will lead continuous improvement, optimize layouts, and ensure quality for exterior lighting or chassis systems through SOP readiness.

You will apply APQP, PFMEA, and OEE to minimize downtime, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with Quality, Production, and Maintenance to resolve chronic issues and launch new programs from development through start of production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, Manufacturing or closely related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years in progressive engineering roles in manufacturing, preferably automotive.
• Experience launching automotive programs, equipment commissioning, and assembly cell integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize assembly line layouts, cycles, and flows to maximize OEE and minimize waste.
• Lead APQP and production launch readiness to ensure lines are validated and commissioned on schedule.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting for plant automation, PLCs, vision systems, sensors, and robotics.
• Create and maintain PFMEA, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and SWIs per IATF 16949.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate with Quality, Production, and Maintenance to resolve manufacturing and scrap issues.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

5S

Value Stream Mapping

APQP

PPAP

FMEA

SPC

PLC programming

Robot/Automation troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Vision inspection systems

Robotics

Pneumatic systems

Job description

About this position

aSSEMBLY eNGINEER – LEVEL 3

General Description:
The Assembly Engineer Level 3 is a senior-level technical role responsible for overseeing, optimizing, and advancing the automotive assembly processes at the SL Tennessee manufacturing facility. This position focuses on maximizing production efficiency, minimizing downtime, and ensuring the highest quality standards for automotive components (such as exterior lighting or chassis systems). As a Level 3 engineer, the individual acts as a subject matter expert, leading continuous improvement initiatives, managing complex equipment troubleshooting, and spearheading the technical readiness for new product launches from development through start of production (SOP).

Responsibilities:

Process Design & Optimization: Design, implement, and continuously improve assembly line layouts, cycle times, and process flows to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and eliminate waste.

New Product Launch Support: Lead the manufacturing engineering efforts for Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and production launch readiness, ensuring assembly lines are fully validated, capable, and safely commissioned on schedule.

Automation & Troubleshooting: Provide advanced technical support for plant automation, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), vision inspection systems, sensors, robotics, and complex assembly jigs.

Documentation & Compliance: Author and maintain comprehensive engineering documentation, including Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and Standard Work Instructions (SWI) in compliance with IATF 16949 standards.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Mentor junior engineers and technicians, and collaborate closely with Quality, Production, and Maintenance teams to systematically resolve chronic manufacturing and scrap issues.

Job Requirements

Work Experience:

Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, with a strict preference for a Tier-1 automotive manufacturing facility.

Proven track record of successfully launching new automotive programs, equipment commissioning, and assembly cell integration.

Extensive hands‑on experience troubleshooting automated production lines, pneumatic systems, and vision verification equipment.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles (Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping) and core automotive quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC).

Automation Skills: Strong ability to diagnose and debug PLC logic (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and integrate automated inspection or robotic systems into manual or semi-automated lines.

Problem-Solving: Expert command of root-cause analysis methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, and Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams to resolve complex technical assembly challenges.

Communication & Collaboration: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively translate complex technical data to shop floor operators, plant leadership, and external automotive clients.