Engineering Manager (Manufacturing)

Summit Polymers; Portage (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A global supplier of automotive systems is seeking an Engineering Manager (Manufacturing) in Portage, MI. This leadership role involves overseeing manufacturing engineering processes, directing staff, and ensuring product design excellence. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least five years of automotive engineering experience, particularly in injection molding processes. This full-time position offers the opportunity to lead a dynamic team in a challenging environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Five years’ engineering experience in an automotive environment.
• Required: working knowledge of injection mold design and maintenance.
• Independent thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Directs manufacturing engineering team activities for safety and quality.
• Leads root cause problem solving for operational efficiency.
• Collaborates on new product development and process changes.

Skills

Injection mold design

Robotic part removal

Team leadership

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline

Tools

Robotic programming

Paint processing systems

Job description

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Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

Join a team where you’ll be challenged and valued. A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. We’re looking for growth potential in every hire and set people on career paths, focusing on continuous improvement, customer service, and quality.

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Manager, Engineering (Manufacturing) FLSA STATUS: Exempt REPORTS TO: General Manager

This is a technical and managerial position responsible for directing the manufacturing engineering team at a Summit Polymers manufacturing facility. Working collaboratively with plant and corporate resources in program development, the manufacturing engineering manager is responsible for developing and delivering robust product designs, tooling and processes to production, including injection molds, mold processing & automation, paint equipment & tooling, paint automation & processing, and secondary assembly equipment & processes. The role provides tooling and process support for three shift production operations throughout the life of a program and champions effective root cause problem solving and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Directs, prioritizes and schedules activities of subordinates to achieve plant and department performance objectives for safety, quality, productivity, and delivery.
  • Ensures proper training of engineers and mentors key personnel for a competent workforce.
• Owner of capable manufacturing processes throughout plant.
  • Directs the development, validation, documentation, and control of all injection molding processes and molding automation systems, paint processes, robot programs and paint automation systems, assembly processes, and all other processes.
  • Develops standardized work (Operator Instruction Sheets) and trains key manufacturing personnel.
• Leads root cause problem solving and continuous improvement activities, working with manufacturing and maintenance to solve safety, scrap, operational availability (machine up time), and productivity (cycle times) problems.
• Collaborates with the plant lean manufacturing team on eliminating waste and implementing lean tools and practices.
• Collaborates with corporate engineering, advanced manufacturing, and plant staff on new products in development and production engineering changes (ECs).
• Provides necessary plant Manufacturing Engineering resources for KBPD development.
• Participates in program quote development, providing feedback based on customer data to ensure achievable machine sizes, cycle times, and scrap rates.
• Reviews part and system design for manufacturability considering molding, painting, assembly, and packaging perspectives.
• Leads development and maintenance of PFMEAs.
• Participates in mold design reviews, assessing designs for robust tooling conditions, process and part removal optimization, and ease of maintenance.
• Leads paint process planning and reviews paint rack concepts and prototypes for ergonomics, density, part retention, and painting all surfaces.
• Participates in assembly process planning, reviewing machine design for safety, ergonomics, robustness, and productivity.
• Directs customer, internal, and supplier product packaging development.
• Champions introduction of new product tooling and processes into plant, collaborating with plant staff to schedule, train, process, trial run, and document production readiness.
• Communicates ECs with the plant and schedules and manages implementation of changes to injection molds, paint, and assembly machines and processes.
• Directs tooling and equipment preventive maintenance and repairs:
  • Molding – develops preventive maintenance instructions & schedules, directs repairs of injection molds, end-of-arm tooling, and degaters.
  • Paint – develops preventive maintenance instructions & schedules, directs repairs of paint racks, paint fluid equipment, and paint lines.
  • Assembly – develops preventive maintenance instructions & schedules, directs repairs of assembly equipment.
  • Directs outside vendors for maintenance and repair when required.
• Ensures compliance with OSHA and other regulatory and safety standards.
• Supports development of and adherence to IATF 16949 systems and procedures.
• Ensures compliance with environmental procedures and reporting requirements.
• Administers and tracks cost reduction efforts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline.
• Five years’ engineering experience in an automotive environment.
• Required – working knowledge of injection mold design, maintenance and repair, scientific injection mold processing, robotic part removal end-of-arm tooling and programming.
• Desired – working knowledge of paint processing and robotic programming, and secondary assembly processes (including plastic welding techniques, PLC programming).
• Supervisory or managerial experience in an automotive environment.
• Independent thinking with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally verbally and in writing at all levels.
• Outstanding leadership, team building, coaching and decision‑making abilities.
• High energy level and the ability to lead and motivate others.

Skills and Abilities

• Possesses the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of choices.
• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 26 on the cognitive section).

Travel Requirements

This position typically requires less than 5% travel.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post‑hire required training.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

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