Manufacturing Engineer

Detroit Manufacturing Systems; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Manufacturing Systems in Detroit, MI is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop assembly processes based on customer requirements, safety, quality, and cost objectives. You will manage new process implementations, select equipment, and estimate timelines.

You will lead automation considerations, support robotics, and drive continuous improvement through Lean, 5S, and Kaizen, using PFMEA, control plans, and standard work to reduce defects and waste.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronics) or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in manufacturing/automotive environments.
• Experience with automotive plastic assembly, ultrasonic welding, robotics.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
• Proficient with MS Office 365, MS Project, SharePoint and Teams.
• Ability to present complex information to management and customers.
• Experience estimating work elements using workflow, line balancing, OEE, and takt time.
• AutoCAD, PLC programming a plus.
• Budget and timing management for projects.
• Understand and improve documented manufacturing standards.
• Familiar with lifecycle programs from development to production.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production methods.
• Provide daily technical support to production, troubleshooting process, equipment, tooling, automation, and quality issues.
• Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective actions for recurring production issues using 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, PDCA.
• Develop, maintain, and improve PFMEAs, process flow diagrams, control plans, standardized work, and manufacturing documentation.
• Identify process risks and implement poka-yoke, detection and prevention controls to reduce defects.
• Analyze cycle time, downtime, OEE, throughput, and labor KPIs to drive improvements.
• Perform line balancing, capacity analysis, workstation optimization, and ergonomic assessments.
• Lead continuous improvement, Lean, Kaizen and 5S activities.
• Specify, develop, validate, and implement new equipment, tooling, fixtures, gauges and processes.
• Support automation and controls systems (PLCs, robots, vision systems, MES).
• Lead or support validation, run-at-rate, capability studies, trials, and production readiness.
• Support new product launches, engineering changes, process changes, and equipment installations.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, IT, Product Engineering, suppliers and customers.
• Participate in APQP, PPAP, PFMEA reviews and launch readiness activities.
• Investigate and reduce scrap, rework, downtime and quality defects.
• Develop preventive and predictive solutions for recurring failures.
• Ensure compliance with IATF 16949 and safety standards.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Root Cause Analysis

Kaizen

Line Balancing

OEE optimization

Automation/Robotics

Capex justification

PFMEA

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Associates Degree with equivalent experience

Tools

AutoCAD

PLC Programming

MS Project

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER

JOB SUMMARY:

Development of assembly processes based on customer requirements, quality systems , financial investment and labor plans. Manage the implementation of new processes, selection of equipment to be purchased, and timing estimates. Resolve issues with quality plans, product design, manufacturability, or build process steps.Participate in adoption of new technologies and processes to achieve greater efficiency.Consults on and oversees selection and implementation of automation and robotics in assembly processes.Manages activities using the Process Development System according to the developed ME timeline.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production methodsto meet Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives.
• Provide dailytechnical support to production, troubleshooting process, equipment, tooling, automation, and quality issues.
• Lead structuredroot-cause analysis and corrective actionsfor recurring production issues using 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, PDCA, and other problem-solving methodologies.
• Develop, maintain, and improvePFMEAs, process flow diagrams, control plans, standardized work, and manufacturing documentation.
• Identify process risks and implementerror-proofing (poka-yoke), detection, and prevention controlsto reduce defects and customer escapes.
• Analyzecycle time, downtime, scrap, OEE, throughput, labor utilization, and other manufacturing KPIsto identify and execute improvement opportunities.
• Performline balancing, capacity analysis, workstation optimization, and ergonomic assessmentsto improve productivity and operator safety.
• Lead and supportcontinuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and waste-reduction activities.
• Specify, develop, validate, and implementnew equipment, tooling, fixtures, gauges, and manufacturing processes.
• Supportautomation and controls systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robots, vision systems, torque systems, MES, and associated production equipment.
• Lead or supportequipment/process validation, run-at-rate, capability studies, trials, and production readiness activities.
• Supportnew product launches, engineering changes, process changes, and equipment installationsfrom concept through production.
• Develop equipment specifications, obtain supplier quotations, preparecapital expenditure justifications, and manage engineering projects to budget and timing.
• Coordinate withProduction, Quality, Maintenance, Controls, IT, Product Engineering, suppliers, and customersto resolve manufacturing issues.
• Participate inAPQP, PPAP, PFMEA reviews, control plan development, and launch readiness activities.
• Investigate and reducescrap, rework, downtime, quality defects, and other manufacturing losses.
• Develop and implementpreventive and predictive solutionsfor recurring equipment and process failures.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply withIATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical training and guidance toproduction personnel, technicians, and other engineerson manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Maintain accurateequipment, process, layout, tooling, and engineering documentation.
• Manage assigned engineering projects and provide clear updates ontiming, risks, actions, and resultsto leadership.
• Participate incustomer and internal audits, supporting corrective actions and ensuring manufacturing controls are effectively implemented.
• Drive manufacturing decisions usingdata analysis, statistical methods, and process capability information.
• Support production duringequipment breakdowns and significant process disruptions, including escalation and recovery activities when required.
• Promote a culture ofsafety, ownership, teamwork, continuous improvement, and customer focusthroughout the manufacturing organization.

Required Skills/Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (preferably Mechanical, Electrical or Mechatronics) or Associates Degree is acceptable with equivalent experience/training.
• A minimum of (5+) years of experience preferably in a manufacturing plant and/or automotive industry
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, advanced manufacturing engineering, process engineering, tooling, or similar role
• Ideal experience in automotive plastic assembly processes, including ultra-sonic welding, robotic applications, automated feeding and insertion of clips and screws.
• Strong knowledge of Mechanical, Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), MS Project, SharePoint, and Teams
• Ability to present complex information and convey messages in a manner appropriate for different levels of our internal management and our customers.
• Must have experience developing time estimates for all work elements utilizing knowledge of creating workflow, line balancing, OEE, and takt time.
• Experience with AutoCAD, PLC Programming, and Automation a plus
• Candidates must demonstrate technical and program launch management skills, including managing a budget and timing.
• Understands and demonstrates ability to work with and improve documented manufacturing standards.
• Familiar with entire life cycle program including development, launch and production.