Manufacturing Engineer

Piston Automotive; Wentzville (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Paid holidays & vacation

Medical & Rx plans

Dental & Vision plans

Flexible spending accounts

Health savings accounts

Employee assistance program

Life & disability coverage

401K with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Vehicle and product discounts

Job summary

Piston Automotive in Missouri seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to create and implement processes for automotive assembly. You will document procedures from initial sourcing through SOP +90 days and support engineering changes for current production.

The role requires hands-on fabrication and collaboration with suppliers, the program team, and customers to drive cost and efficiency improvements while ensuring safety and quality standards across production lines.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in automotive manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with robotic technologies and automation.
• Experience in PFMEA, process documentation.
• Strong CAD skills and process design.
• Travel up to 1-2 weeks per year.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and implement assigned projects.
• Develop and track capital investment budgets for assigned projects.
• Interface with machining, automation and capital equipment vendors.
• Develop production processes and final approvals including line balancing.
• Create/process documentation through SOP +90 days and PFEP.
• Support engineering change activity and program management.

Skills

Automotive assembly knowledge

Robotics integration

Cross-functional collaboration

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Analytical cost/benefit

Communication skills

Work independently

Travel readiness

Tools

AutoCAD LT

CAD viewers

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for creating, documenting, developing, and implementing the processes and procedures used to assemble the company’s product. Involvement will range from initial project sourcing all the way through SOP +90 days, or as required for corporate employees or launch through EOP plant employees. Both may be required to support implementation of engineering changes for current production products.

Piston Automotive

Why Piston Automotive?

• Competitive Wages, Paid Holidays & Vacation, Medical & Rx Plans, Dental & Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Life & Disability Coverage, 401K with Company Match, Tuition Reimbursement , Vehicle and Product Discounts

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of assigned
• Develop and track capital investment budgets for assigned projects.
• Tracks, manages and communicates the capital equipment timing plan and open issues to the program team.
• Responsible for development of all RFQ’s and Equipment Specifications for Capital and Tooling Requirements, including all contract services, prior to SOP.
• Main interface with machining, automation and capital equipment vendors.
• Responsible for all production processes development / and final approvals including work cell layout, ergonomic workstation design, and line balancing.
• Responsible for development of Prototype and Production Process Documentation through SOP +90 days. This includes Process Flow, Cycle Time Analysis, PFMEA and Work Instructions.
• Responsible for programming torque control systems and joint development. Selection of error & mistake proofing devices.
• Responsible for initial plant floor layout & PFEP, including material flow and storage.
• Responsible for procurement and installation of all line side material presentation and handling devices.
• Responsible to transfer all equipment and process documentation to the Production Plant prior to SOP. This includes all OEM Equipment Documentation (electronic and hard copies of Manuals, BOM, Drawings, recommended spare parts and recommended PM’s).
• Responsible for initial training coordination for new equipment or process changes.
• Responsible for reviewing module assembly drawings & CAD Models for manufacturability (both internally and with the Customer) as required and/or requested.
• Responsible for all site preparation during the launch phase of projects.
• Determining cost and timing impacts for engineering changes that affect the assembly process, square footage requirements, capital investments (equipment, packaging and facilities) and direct labor.
• Gathers the base line program information with Program Management / Business Development to supply statement of work, bill of materials and initial program timing.
• Supports Engineering Cost Estimator to supply quoted assumptions for the assembly process, square footage requirements, capital / tooling investments and direct / indirect labor.
• Supports Purchasing in evaluation of new suppliers, products and technologies to help maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
• Provide guidance in equipment and capital selection to the Purchasing Dept.
• Provide mechanical engineering expertise to lead design and development of the assembly systems, production tooling and packaging.
• Supports all engineering related communication internally and with the Customer; including technical presentation, design reviews, capacity analysis, and feasibility studies.
• Works with the program team (internally and with the customers) to develop and launch products into production.
• Supports program meetings (both internally and with the Customer) as required and/or requested.
• Drive lean concepts (5S, Kanban, Visual Factory, TPM etc.) throughout the organization.
• Implement process improvements to improve overall efficiencies, including automation.
• Benchmarking processes and equipment throughout the industry and incorporating into Piston Standards.
• Responsible for problem solving and resolution of issues at all sites as directed / or required. Supports Team during crisis management.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of assembly requirements for all Automotive Component Systems; Body, Trim, Chassis, Powertrain, Interior. At least 7 years of experience. (Ideally 10 years of experience).
• Supports cross functional implementation of advanced robotic technologies.
• Strong working knowledge of Manual and Automated Assembly Systems and Technologies, including both mechanical and control systems.
• Strong knowledge in JIT, SPD, ILVS and Batch manufacturing systems. Including broadcast analysis from customer trigger through customer installation.
• Strong Knowledge of Industrial Safety Standards and requirements.
• Ability to analyze current business labor efficiencies, capital investments and other historical data to calculate product cost.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Computer literacy and proficiency are required, must have advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Power Point, AutoCAD LT and misc. CAD viewers.
• Self-motivator who works with minimal direction, makes decisions independently, and is able to motivate others to complete the task at hand.
• Corporate employees must be able to travel as required to support new launch, engineering change or production related activities (typically no more than 1-2 wks. at a time / estimated 6-12 wks. annually).

Piston Automotive, part of the Piston Group family of companies, is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the unique contributions of every employee. We encourage all candidates to apply for positions that match their skills and capabilities, ensuring equal consideration without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For any questions regarding job opportunities or the application process, please reach out to us at [e-mail] . We are committed to providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the job search and application process, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity for all job seekers.