Manufacturing Engineering Leader (MES) - Plant 5 - Ti-Cast

Howmet Aerospace; Whitehall Township (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Whitehall Plant 5 is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Leader (MES) to drive factory performance through design and optimization of production flow, capacity, and scheduling. You will apply data-driven methods to reduce lead times, improve throughput, and increase schedule reliability across operations.

The ideal candidate combines systems thinking with hands-on leadership, Lean/Six Sigma expertise, and the ability to translate complex tradeoffs into practical floor-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution required.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience with leadership experience.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems and data-driven manufacturing improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing Engineering Team with staffing, coaching and performance reviews.
• Analyze flow, identify bottlenecks, improve throughput and reduce lead times.
• Monitor capacity, variability, and implement buffering and scheduling strategies.
• Partner with planning to improve schedule realism and execution.
• Develop KPIs and conduct data-driven modeling and what-if analyses.
• Drive Lean/Six Sigma and standard work across the plant.

Skills

Systems thinking

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data analysis

Capacity planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

ERP/MES systems

Data modeling tools

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Leader (MES) - Plant 5 - Ti-Cast

Whitehall, MI, United States (On-site)

Job Info

• Job Identification 119227
• Job Category Engineering
• Posting Date 09/01/2026, 04:00 PM
• Locations One Misco Drive, Whitehall, MI, 49461-1799, US (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time
• Export-Controlled Data This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Responsibilities

Position Summary

We are seeking a Manufacturing Systems Engineering Leader to improve factory performance through the design and optimization of production flow, capacity utilization, inventory management, and operational stability. This role applies data-driven operational principles to reduce lead time, improve throughput, lower WIP inventory, and increase schedule reliability across manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate understands that manufacturing performance emerges from system behavior — including variability, bottlenecks, queueing, and resource constraints — and uses analytical methods to improve overall factory performance rather than isolated local metrics.

Job Roles

• Systems thinker--sees the business and its operation holistically; understands actions and reactions; considers multiple pathways of potential effect before decisions; thinks strategically about interventions with an eye toward scale
• Optimizer--constantly challenging the organization to work smarter; supports others to ensure they have what they need to do their work successfully
• Anticipation--looks ahead to minimize potential issues and maximize advantages; prepares others for what comes next
• Operational accelerator--drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions
• Organization and structure--works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize them; provides accurate information; galvanizes others toward common goals
• Influence--leverages knowledge, relationship, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders
• Data informed--focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; evaluates based on quantitative feedback; knows and explains the “why” behind actions
• Prioritized reaction--handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives; reacts where greatest leverage points exist
• Relationship--connects individually and with teams across shifts and practices; builds rapport and commonality; creates a “win together” ethic; serves as liaison between shop floor and engineering; keeps the pulse of the floor; helps people feel heard

Key Responsibilities

Lead Manufacturing Engineering Team

• Plan meetings, assign tasks, manage staffing, conduct performance reviews, and coach employees in manufacturing engineering discipline.
• Introduce new hires to EHS rules, company policies, and business initiatives to foster a safe, productive culture.
• Maintain adherence to all relevant regulations and internal standards

Flow & Throughput Optimization

• Analyze production flow and identify bottlenecks, congestion points, and excessive queueing
• Improve throughput while balancing labor, equipment utilization, inventory, and lead time
• Design production systems that minimize variability and improve flow stability
• Optimize line balancing and workstation design

Capacity & Variability Management

• Monitor utilization levels and identify where excessive loading creates instability
• Develop buffering strategies for inventory, staffing, and machine capacity
• Reduce operational variability caused by downtime, scheduling volatility, changeovers, quality losses, and material shortages
• Support preventive maintenance and reliability initiatives

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Partner with planning teams to improve schedule realism and execution
• Reduce WIP and manufacturing lead times through pull systems, batch reduction, and improved sequencing
• Evaluate tradeoffs between responsiveness, inventory, and capacity

Data Analysis & Modeling

• Use operational data to model cycle times, queue behavior, throughput, and capacity
• Develop KPIs focused on system performance:
  • Throughput
  • On-time delivery
  • WIP inventory
  • Flow time
  • OEE
  • Schedule attainment
• Conduct simulation or what-if analysis for process changes
• Lead Lean / Six Sigma / Kaizen initiatives grounded in system-level thinking
• Facilitate root cause analysis for chronic operational instability
• Implement standard work and visual management systems
• Drive digital manufacturing initiatives

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Engineering
• Minimum of 3 years of people leadership experience
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution
• Understanding of:
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Theory of Constraints
  • Queueing concepts
  • Statistical process variation
  • Capacity analysis
  • Production scheduling
• Experience with ERP/MES systems
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Ability to translate operational data into practical floor-level improvements
• Thinks in terms of systems rather than isolated departments
• Comfortable balancing competing operational priorities
• Uses data but understands human and organizational realities
• Focuses on sustainable flow instead of short-term utilization metrics
• Can communicate complex operational tradeoffs to leadership and frontline teams

About Us

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The Howmet engines business produces world-class aerospace engine components, including investment castings, fasteners, rings and forgings. Our vacuum melted superalloys, machining, performance coatings and hot isostatic pressing for high performance parts enable the next generation of quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient aerospace engines. Able to supply more than 90% of structural and rotating aerospace engine components.