Manufacturing Engineering Manager

KLA Industries; Saint Joseph (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus potential

401K

Healthcare plans

Relocation package

Job summary

KLA Industries in Saint Joseph, MI is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead a team of manufacturing engineers and drive continuous improvement, new product launches, and data-driven decisions on the factory floor.

You will mentor a team with long tenure, supervise capital equipment projects, and collaborate across functions, with strong bonus potential and comprehensive benefits in a stable automotive environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field and strong manufacturing/process background.
• Experience leading direct reports and manufacturing engineering teams.
• Proven track record in metals environments (stamping, machining, fabrication).
• Experience with product launches and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and prioritize work for the engineering team.
• Lead continuous improvement and KPI tracking across the plant.
• Manage all engineering activities for new product launches.
• Resolve on-floor engineering issues and drive cross‑functional collaboration.
• Standardize processes and optimize resources to meet schedules.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Project management

Data-driven decision making

Lean / Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

ERP systems

MS Office

CapEx management

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

St. Joseph, MI area

Competitive Salary, Bonus, 401K, and More!

Take engineering ownership of a profitable, tech‑driven automotive plant with secured future launches, alongside a 20‑year tenured GM while enjoying a beautiful new office, annual bonus potential, and rapid career impact!

• Future‑Secured Stability: Join a highly profitable, 50+ year automotive leader with a diverse business mix and major new product launches scheduled for years to come.
• Loyal, Permanent Workforce: Lead an engineering team boasting an 8‑year average tenure, working alongside a GM who has grown with the company for nearly 20 years.
• High‑Tech Environment: Enjoy a beautiful, newly remodeled personal office space situated close to the manufacturing floor utilizing cutting‑edge technology.
• True Autonomy & Growth: Make an immediate impact by implementing improvements and actively mentoring a team in an organization passionate about growing internal talent.
• Excellent Compensation & Benefits: Maximize your total rewards with annual bonus potential and a robust selection of comprehensive healthcare plans.

Profitable, stable manufacturer is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead a team of manufacturing engineering professionals focused on optimizing plant efficiencies and successfully launching new products. Daily you will report to the General Manager. Responsibilities will include:

• Supervise & Mentor the Team: Oversee, communicate with, and organize daily priorities for all engineering personnel, including Manufacturing Engineers and Engineering Technicians.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Lead and support ongoing process efficiency development, cross‑training initiatives, and continual improvement projects, while establishing and improving key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manage New Product Launches: Take full ownership of organizing and executing all engineering activities related to new product launches.
• Floor‑Level Problem Solving: Serve as the first point of contact for resolving engineering concerns directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Communicate and collaborate closely with other department managers, suppliers, and external contractors.
• Standardize Processes: Create detailed engineering plans, standardized processes, and operating procedures for the engineering staff.
• Optimize Resources: Actively monitor and manage department labor utilization percentages to keep projects on track.
• Ensure Data‑Driven Decisions: Apply Lean methods and data‑driven problem‑solving techniques to keep high‑volume automotive engineering projects on schedule.
• Capital Equipment Management: Direct capital equipment projects from conception to execution, including vetting and approving vendors, determining project costs and ROI, and managing advancements in CNC machining, fixtures, and cutting tools.
• Design & Fixture Conceptualization: Collaborate closely with the design engineering team to conceptualize project designs and develop specialized production fixtures and cutting tools.

The qualified candidate will enjoy spending up to 50% of their day on the manufacturing floor, able to work in a fast‑paced, ever changing automotive environment, thrive on driving continuous improvement, able to build a team and drive engagement, and successfully execute plans and projects. You will coach, mentor and lead a team of approximately 15 engineering professionals with an average tenure of over eight years of service with the company.

The company offers EXCELLENT medical benefits (including dental and vision) available after 90 days, short‑term and long‑term disability, 401K, paid holidays and vacation, tuition reimbursement, life, and BONUS potential.

REQUIREMENTS for the Manufacturing Engineering Manager

1. Ideally a Bachelor's degree; an Associate's degree will be considered with strong experience
2. At least five years in a similar manufacturing engineering management role, with a strong background in manufacturing/process engineering
3. Experience working in metals environments, such as stamping, machining, fabrication, etc.
4. Strong continuous improvement background with proven examples of scrap reductions, efficiency improvements, etc.
5. Experience overseeing direct reports
6. Project management experience, including overseeing timelines and budgets
7. Experience with product launches
8. Strong mechanical aptitude, including the ability to read blueprints
9. Microsoft Office

Skills preferred but NOT required

1. Automated work environments
2. Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
3. SolidWorks
4. ERP experience
5. CapEx management
6. Automotive supplier experience

Reasons to work for this organization

• Multiple plans for medical, dental and vision
• Stable organization in the automotive industry and adding new business
• Annual bonus potential
• Beautiful new office space with a window
• Cutting edge technology
• Lead a team with an average tenure of 8 years and work for a general manager who has grown with the company and been there almost 20 years
• This company grows their internal talent

Candidates are preferred to be local to the St. Joseph, MI area. There is a conservative relocation package for regional candidates meeting the requirements.