Manufacturing Engineer

American Axle & Mfg., Inc.; Newton (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dauch Corporation in Newton, North Carolina is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our onsite team. This role focuses on designing, improving, and sustaining high-volume manufacturing processes to enhance quality, throughput, and cost efficiency.

The ideal candidate excels in problem solving, data analysis, and collaboration across engineering, quality, and operations to support launches and continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 1–3+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in automotive industry, Tier 1 preferred.
• Experience in high-volume JIT production environments.
• Exposure to assembly, welding, or automated manufacturing processes.
• Experience with APQP, PFMEA, control plans, and PPAP processes.
• Familiarity with automation, robotics, PLCs, or industrial equipment.
• Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving tools (root cause analysis, SPC).
• CAD experience.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and optimizes manufacturing processes for efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Standardizes work methods, process parameters, and documentation.
• Drives continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Analyzes production data to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Leads manufacturing engineering activities for new product launches and engineering changes.
• Ensures APQP deliverables (PFMEA, control plans, process flow diagrams).
• Collaborates with product engineering, quality, and operations to ensure successful launches.
• Specifies, procures, and implements manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
• Supports installation, validation, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Drives innovation through automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Monitors and improves KPIs (OEE, cycle time, throughput, efficiency).
• Supports cost reduction initiatives, including labor and material optimization.
• Works with maintenance/operations to improve equipment reliability and uptime.

Skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLCs

Robotics

Automation equipment

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description Summary

Dauch is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join our team in Newton, North Carolina. This fully onsite role is responsible for supporting and improving manufacturing processes in a high-volume Tier 1 automotive production environment. This role focuses on process optimization, cost reduction, quality improvement, and supporting new product launches. The Manufacturing Engineer collaborates cross-functionally to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production that meets customer and business requirements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on experience in automotive manufacturing, with a strong ability to troubleshoot and optimize processes, support production, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. This person should have strong communication and excel skills. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is preferred.

Job Description

• Designs, develops, and optimizes manufacturing processes for efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Standardizes work methods, process parameters, and documentation.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen principles.
• Analyzes production data to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Leads manufacturing engineering activities for new product launches and engineering changes.
• Ensures APQP deliverables are met, including PFMEA, control plans, and process flow diagrams.
• Collaborates with product engineering, quality, and operations to ensure successful launches.
• Specifies, procures, and implements manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
• Supports installation, validation, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Drives innovation through automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Monitors and improves key performance metrics (OEE, cycle time, throughput, and efficiency).
• Supports cost reduction initiatives, including labor and material optimization.
• Works closely with maintenance and operations to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Works closely with Quality, Scheduling, and Supply Chain.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related Engineering field.
• 1-3+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in the automotive industry, Tier 1 preferred.
• Experience in high-volume, just-in-time (JIT) production environments.
• Exposure to assembly, welding, or automated manufacturing processes.
• Experience with APQP, PFMEA, control plans, and PPAP processes.
• Familiarity with automation, robotics, PLCs, or industrial equipment.
• Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving tools (e.g., root cause analysis, SPC).
• CAD experience.

About Dauch

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law.

Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law.

For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment.

To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [e-mail].

Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.