Manufacturing Engineer

HTI; Piedmont (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JTEKT North America in Piedmont, SC is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to support production and drive equipment and process improvements across the plant.

You will troubleshoot technical challenges, develop new tooling and layouts, and work with cross-functional teams to meet quality, productivity and safety goals. This role requires reading engineering drawings, implementing PFMEA/APQP, and leading continuous improvement activities on the floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent manufacturing experience.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong mechanical and technical problem-solving skills.
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and production equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Experience with PFMEA, APQP, process capability, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams including Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day engineering support to manufacturing operations.
• Develop and improve manufacturing processes, methods, equipment, and process flow.
• Identify and implement improvements related to quality, productivity, cycle time, scrap, and cost.
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis for manufacturing and equipment-related issues.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and other engineering teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Support the design and development of tooling, fixtures, gauges, and other manufacturing solutions.
• Evaluate process capability and recommend improvements to achieve production and quality requirements.
• Support new product introductions and engineering changes.
• Participate in PFMEA, APQP, capability studies, and other automotive manufacturing requirements.
• Develop equipment specifications and support equipment layouts and capital projects.
• Assist with the purchase, installation, startup, and production readiness of new manufacturing equipment.
• Support equipment troubleshooting involving mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, automation, or controls-related systems.
• Maintain and update engineering documentation as processes and equipment change.
• Prepare technical reports related to process development, troubleshooting, and improvement projects.
• Support continuous improvement, 5S, safety, and ergonomic initiatives throughout the facility.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Mechanical problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Reading drawings and specs

Process improvement

Root cause analysis

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks or AutoCAD

Vision systems

PLC-controlled equipment

CNC machining

Automation equipment

Job description

JTEKT North America is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join its growing manufacturing operation in Piedmont, SC. As part of the Toyota Group, JTEKT is a global leader in automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools.

The Piedmont facility has undergone a significant expansion, including the addition of more than 120 new machines and automation systems. This is an opportunity for a hands‑on engineer to support production, improve manufacturing processes, troubleshoot technical challenges, and help drive equipment and process improvements across the plant.

What You'll Do

• Provide day-to-day engineering support to manufacturing operations.
• Develop and improve manufacturing processes, methods, equipment, and process flow.
• Identify and implement improvements related to quality, productivity, cycle time, scrap, and cost.
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis for manufacturing and equipment-related issues.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and other engineering teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Support the design and development of tooling, fixtures, gauges, and other manufacturing solutions.
• Evaluate process capability and recommend improvements to achieve production and quality requirements.
• Support new product introductions and engineering changes.
• Participate in PFMEA, APQP, capability studies, and other automotive manufacturing requirements.
• Develop equipment specifications and support equipment layouts and capital projects.
• Assist with the purchase, installation, startup, and production readiness of new manufacturing equipment.
• Support equipment troubleshooting involving mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, automation, or controls-related systems.
• Maintain and update engineering documentation as processes and equipment change.
• Prepare technical reports related to process development, troubleshooting, and improvement projects.
• Support continuous improvement, 5S, safety, and ergonomic initiatives throughout the facility.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent relevant manufacturing engineering experience.
• Hands‑on experience supporting a manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong mechanical and technical problem‑solving skills.
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and production equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Experience with process improvement, root cause analysis, and manufacturing problem solving.
• Understanding of manufacturing quality tools such as PFMEA, APQP, process capability, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams including Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage projects and work independently in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Experience That Will Help You Stand Out

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly valued:

• Automotive or other high‑volume manufacturing
• Capital equipment procurement and installation
• New equipment startup, commissioning, or production readiness
• CNC machining or machining processes
• Automated manufacturing equipment
• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• PLC‑controlled manufacturing equipment
• Vision systems, testing equipment, or other specialized manufacturing technologies
• SolidWorks or AutoCAD
• IATF manufacturing requirements

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on Manufacturing Engineer who enjoys being on the production floor and working through real manufacturing challenges. You should be comfortable moving between process improvement projects, equipment issues, quality concerns, new equipment installations, and daily production support.

You do not need to be a specialist in every manufacturing technology used throughout the plant. More important is a strong engineering foundation, manufacturing experience, technical curiosity, and the ability to systematically troubleshoot problems and drive improvements.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work overtime or weekends as production and project needs require.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and access production equipment as needed.
• Ability to perform physical activities associated with supporting manufacturing equipment, including standing, bending, reaching, and occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Commitment to safe work practices and compliance with required personal protective equipment.

Join a growing manufacturing operation and play a key role in improving the processes, equipment, and technologies that support JTEKT's continued growth in Piedmont.