Entry Level Manufacturing Engineer

Hankook Tire Co.; Clarksville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Hankook Tire in Clarksville, TN seeks an entry-level Engineer I to support manufacturing operations. You will receive hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to plant engineering across process, design, and quality assurance.

This full-time role welcomes recent graduates and early-career engineers; no prior professional experience required, with focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a large-scale production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; mechanical/electrical/industrial or other engineering major.
• 0+ years of proven engineering experience in the manufacturing industry.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Willingness to learn across Manufacturing Process, Process Design, or Quality Assurance.

Responsibilities

• Promote a Safety Always mindset and support safety improvements
• Apply a Quality First mindset to improve processes and prevent defects
• Learn plant manufacturing processes, equipment, quality requirements, and standards
• Investigate production, equipment, process, and product quality concerns
• Collect and analyze production or quality data to identify trends
• Support troubleshooting and root-cause analysis using structured methods
• Assist with process-improvement projects across safety, quality, uptime
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and technical specs
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance, engineers, suppliers and teams
• Participate in cross-functional teams for new equipment/products and expansion

Skills

Safety mindset

Quality focus

Analytical thinking

Mechanical knowledge

Problem solving

English proficiency

Cross-functional

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Title: Engineer I
Direct Report: Unit Manager/Director
Type: Exempt; Full-time

About the position

We are hiring entry-level engineers to support the expansion of our manufacturing operations. This position provides an opportunity to begin an engineering career in a large-scale production environment while receiving hands‑on training, technical mentoring, and exposure to multiple areas of plant engineering.

Depending on business needs, educational background, and technical interests, selected candidates may be assigned to Manufacturing Process Engineering, Process Design Engineering, or Quality Assurance Engineering. All assignments share a common focus on workplace safety, product quality, process improvement, equipment performance, and effective collaboration with manufacturing teams.

This is a full‑time, exempt position intended for recent graduates and early‑career engineers. Previous professional engineering experience is not required.

Responsibilities are:

• Promote a Safety Always mindset by supporting the continuous improvement of workplace safety and health
• Apply a Quality First mindset to improve processes, prevent defects, and maintain product and process integrity
• Learn the plant’s manufacturing processes, production equipment, quality requirements, and operating standards
• Use engineering principles to investigate production, equipment, process, and product-quality concerns
• Collect, organize, and analyze production or quality data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis using structured problem‑solving methods such as Plan-Do-Check-Act
• Assist with process‑improvement projects related to safety, quality, equipment uptime, productivity, waste reduction, and cost
• Develop, update, and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, technical specifications, and engineering documentation
• Work closely with operators, maintenance technicians, engineers, suppliers, and other internal teams
• Support equipment testing, process trials, product evaluations, and validation activities
• Evaluate standardized work processes and recommend practical improvements
• Help ensure assigned work, records, and processes remain accurate and audit-ready
• Prepare routine engineering plans, calculations, reports, presentations, and cost estimates
• Communicate project status, findings, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and management
• Train, advise, or support employees on approved processes and procedures
• Participate in cross-functional teams supporting new equipment, new products, plant expansion, and continuous improvement
• Perform other engineering duties and projects assigned by management

Requirements are:

Education:

• (Required) bachelor’s degree; mechanical/ electrical/ industrial or other engineering major
• (Preferred) advanced degree in a related field

Experience:

• (Required) 0+ years of proven engineering experience in the manufacturing industry

Language:

• (Required) good command of written and spoken English

Skills & Knowledge:

• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources
• Engineering and Technology - Demonstrated know‑how related to practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods
• Mechanical - Functional knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. Applied understanding of predictive, preventive and proactive maintenance methodologies
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; to reach with hands and arms; and to talk and hear
• Must be capable of climbing up and down a ladder/stairs several times per shift
• Must be capable of standing for long periods of time
• Mobility throughout the facility
• Employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, walk, or crouch
• Employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted on occasion
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus

Benefits:

• 401(k), 401(k) matching
• Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Hankook Tire is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.