Manufacturing Engineer (Assembly)

Summit Polymers; Sturgis (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Polymers is seeking an Engineer, Manufacturing (Assembly) to lead hands-on assembly machine activities for automotive interior trim components, including full center consoles and related parts. The role emphasizes manufacturability, quality, and operational excellence with cross-functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s in engineering (or 5 years in automotive manufacturing), proficiency in Omron PLC programming, and experience with SolidWorks or VisMockup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent; or 5 years in automotive manufacturing/assembly allowed in lieu of degree.
• Proficiency in Omron PLC programming.
• Knowledge of plastic welding processes (sonic, vibration, hot plate, IR).
• Knowledge of secondary decoration (hot stamping, pad printing, laser etching/marking).
• Experience with sensor/vision systems to create robust assembly machines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong verbal/written communication; independent thinking and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all assembly machine activities for new product launches; ensure manufacturability and quality.
• Develop standardized work, machine quotes, capacity analyses, and assembly layout from concept to program end.
• Participate in machine design reviews and progress tracking of construction and validation runs.
• Collaborate with packaging engineers to ensure safe, defect-free transport of components.
• Lead engineering changes to assembly machines (electrical, pneumatic, servo, PLC, machining).
• Support maintenance with preventive maintenance scheduling and troubleshooting to minimize downtime.
• Create standardized work instructions for safe, high-quality, timely operations.
• Conduct process audits to ensure adherence to quality systems and standardized work.

Skills

Omron PLC programming

Sensors and vision systems

Electrical and pneumatic basics

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar technical discipline

5 years automotive manufacturing/assembly experience (in lieu of degree)

Tools

SolidWorks

VisMockup

Fanuc/UR cobot programming

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Engineer, Manufacturing (Assembly) FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Manager, Engineering (Manufacturing)

SUMMARY

This is hands-on technical work involving the assembly of injection molded plastic parts for automotive interior trim, full center consoles, and kinetic parts including air conditioning outlets, cup holders, glove boxes and bins. Provide technical support and leadership to manufacturing production teams with a focus on operational excellence each and every day.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Under general supervision is responsible for the following major tasks:

• Responsible for all assembly machine activities associated with new product launches including:
  • Participating with the product development team and corporate manufacturing technical leaders to:
    • Ensure products are designed for manufacturability and quality.
    • Specify robust assembly machines that include effective error proofing, good ergonomics, and facilitate efficient standardized work.
    • Provide feedback to the corporate manufacturing technical leaders to improve assembly machine standards.
  • Working with the corporate manufacturing technical leaders to develop standardized work, machine quote specification sheets, capacity analysis, work balance tables, and assembly cell layouts from NBA thru end of program.
• Participate in all machine design review meetings.
• Monitor progress of assembly machine construction to ensure program and plant required timing is met.
• Participate in machine review and validation runs of assembly equipment prior to shipment to manufacturing plant.
• Working with corporate packaging engineers and packaging suppliers to develop exeternal packaging and internal work in process packaging that ensures safe, defect-free transportation to subsequent operations and the customer.
• Work with the SLMS engineer (lean manufacturing) to develop flow racks for the assembly cell.
• Write standardized work instructions so operators can perform work safely, with the proper quality, and in the proper time.
• Lead and perform engineering changes to assembly machines from an electrical, pneumatic, servo motor controls, PLC, machining, and sensor & vision system perspective.
• Assist maintenance with developing effective preventative maintenance schedule.
• Responsible for supporting manufacturing for assembly machines and cells in production.
• Support the production team in increasing efficiency, quality, and safety through use of standardardized work tools (element cycle time studies, standardized work charts and combination tables, work balance tables), practical problem solving methods and kaizen improvement opportunities.
• Troubleshoot process or equipment-related problems and provide solutions in a timely manner.
• Develop justifications for various process improvement projects.
• Conduct process audits to ensure standardized work and quality system compliance in assembly.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or similar technical discipline OR 5 years of experience in an automotive manufacturing or assembly machine supplier environment may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Proficiency in Omron PLC programming.
• Basic machine shop skills and ability to fabricate simple components.
• Ability to read electrical and pneumatic prints.
• Ability to view assembly machines in software such as SolidWorks eDrawing, to cut sections & measure dimensions.
• Knowledge of plastic welding processes for injection molded parts including – sonic welding, vibration welding, hot plate welding, IR welding.
• Knowledge of secondary decoration process including – hot stamping, pad printing, laser etching, laser marking, etc.
• Knowledge of and ability to use a variety of sensors and vision systems to create a robust assembly machine and process.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software suite – Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Independent thinking with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Flexible and able to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Preferred experienced in:
  • SolidWorks
  • VisMockup
  • Six axis robot and cobot programming – Fanuc and UR

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Possesses the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of choices.

• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 26 on the cognitive portion).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position typically does not require any travel.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post-hire required training.