Manufacturing, Assembly & Integration Engineer – Defense

ARi; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Company holidays

Maternity/paternity leave

Bereavement support

401(k)

Job summary

ARi, an East Peoria, IL headquartered engineering enterprise, seeks an experienced Manufacturing/Powertrain Engineer to develop and optimize assembly processes for defense powertrain systems. You will plan engine, transmission, cooling, and hydraulic assemblies, lead integration activities, and create essential documentation.

The role requires a mechanical/industrial engineering background with extensive experience in lean, Six Sigma, PFMEA, and PLM/ERP systems, ensuring compliance with military

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 38 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, assembly engineering, production engineering, or vehicle/powertrain integration.
• Experience with manufacturing process development, assembly planning, production support, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot production, production launch, manufacturing validation, and production ramp-up activities.
• Experience using Teamcenter, Windchill, SAP, or other PLM/ERP systems is preferred.
• Experience in defense, military, heavy equipment, construction, mining, agricultural, or off-highway vehicle manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting engine, transmission, cooling, hydraulic, or complete powertrain assembly programs is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing and assembly processes for defense powertrain systems, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production.
• Plan and support assembly operations for engines, transmissions, cooling systems, hydraulic systems, and complete powertrain assemblies.
• Lead powertrain assembly and vehicle integration activities, ensuring proper installation, alignment, fitment, and functional performance.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, assembly procedures, process flow diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Support prototype builds, pilot production, first article inspections (FAI), and production ramp-up activities.
• Collaborate with design, systems, validation, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to resolve assembly, integration, and production issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop and improve tooling, fixtures, assembly methods, and manufacturing processes to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and throughput.
• Support product validation, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), vehicle integration testing, and production quality audits.
• Participate in Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), design reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Caterpillar engineering practices, military standards, quality requirements, and customer specifications.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and recommend process improvements to reduce waste, improve reliability, and increase operational efficiency.

Skills

Manufacturing processes

Powertrain assembly

Vehicle integration

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

PFMEA

Control plans

GD&T

Engineering drawings

Root cause analysis

CAPA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related

Job description

ARi, headquartered in East Peoria, IL, USA, is a rapidly expanding global engineering enterprise. The essence of our i symbolizes our distinctiveness from competitors an embodiment of innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight. Boasting a diverse team of over 1,500 engineering experts hailing from various nations and cultures across the globe, we are excellently poised to provide intricate and personalized resolutions to our esteemed clients.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize manufacturing and assembly processes for defense powertrain systems, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality production.
• Plan and support assembly operations for engines, transmissions, cooling systems, hydraulic systems, and complete powertrain assemblies.
• Lead powertrain assembly and vehicle integration activities, ensuring proper installation, alignment, fitment, and functional performance.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, assembly procedures, process flow diagrams, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Support prototype builds, pilot production, first article inspections (FAI), and production ramp-up activities.
• Collaborate with design, systems, validation, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to resolve assembly, integration, and production issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Develop and improve tooling, fixtures, assembly methods, and manufacturing processes to enhance safety, quality, productivity, and throughput.
• Support product validation, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), vehicle integration testing, and production quality audits.
• Participate in Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), design reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with Caterpillar engineering practices, military standards, quality requirements, and customer specifications.
• Monitor manufacturing performance and recommend process improvements to reduce waste, improve reliability, and increase operational efficiency.

Required Skills

• Experience developing and optimizing manufacturing and assembly processes for complex mechanical systems.
• Strong knowledge of powertrain assembly, vehicle integration, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting assembly of engines, transmissions, cooling systems, hydraulic systems, or complete vehicle powertrains.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PFMEA, Control Plans, standard work, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience developing work instructions, assembly procedures, process flow diagrams, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing tooling, fixtures, and assembly methods to improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional engineering and production teams.
• Familiarity with Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 38 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, assembly engineering, production engineering, or vehicle/powertrain integration.
• Experience with manufacturing process development, assembly planning, production support, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot production, production launch, manufacturing validation, and production ramp-up activities.
• Experience using Teamcenter, Windchill, SAP, or other PLM/ERP systems is preferred.
• Experience in defense, military, heavy equipment, construction, mining, agricultural, or off-highway vehicle manufacturing is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting engine, transmission, cooling, hydraulic, or complete powertrain assembly programs is strongly preferred.

The Benefits Of Working At ARi

At ARi, our commitment to our employees goes beyond the workplace, ensuring comprehensive benefits. From day one, full-time employees enjoy group health, dental, and life insurance coverage. Additionally, vision coverage is accessible starting the following month.

Recognizing the significance of rejuvenation, we provide paid time off, sick days, company holidays, and maternity/paternity leave to our full-time staff. In times of loss, we also offer bereavement support. Furthermore, a 401(k) program is maintained for eligible employees.