Manufacturing Process Engineer - Automation & Lean

Voltava; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Voltava is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop assembly processes driven by customer requirements, quality systems, and labor plans. You will manage new process implementations, equipment selection, and timing estimates, and resolve issues in design and manufacturability.

Lead automation and robotics selections in assembly to improve efficiency. The role requires hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, PFMEA, line balancing, and ramping up production, ensuring adherence to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics preferred) or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing plant and/or automotive industry.
• 5+ years in manufacturing/advanced manufacturing engineering, process engineering, tooling, or a similar role.
• Ideal experience in automotive plastic assembly processes, including ultrasonic welding, robotic applications, automated feeding and insertion of clips and screws.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and production methods to meet Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost objectives.
• Provide daily technical support to production, troubleshooting process, equipment, tooling, automation, and quality issues.
• Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective actions for recurring production issues using 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, PDCA, and other problem-solving methodologies.
• Develop, maintain, and improve PFMEAs, process flow diagrams, control plans, standardized work, and manufacturing documentation.
• Identify process risks and implement error-proofing (poka-yoke), detection, and prevention controls to reduce defects and customer escapes.
• Analyze cycle time, downtime, scrap, OEE, throughput, labor utilization, and other manufacturing KPIs to identify and execute improvement opportunities.
• Perform line balancing, capacity analysis, workstation optimization, and ergonomic assessments to improve productivity and operator safety.
• Lead and support continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and waste-reduction activities.
• Specify, develop, validate, and implement new equipment, tooling, fixtures, gauges, and manufacturing processes.
• Support automation and controls systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robots, vision systems, torque systems, MES, and associated production equipment.
• Lead or support equipment/process validation, run-at-rate, capability studies, trials, and production readiness activities.
• Support new product launches, engineering changes, process changes, and equipment installations from concept through production.
• Develop equipment specifications, obtain supplier quotations, prepare capital expenditure justifications, and manage engineering projects to budget and timing.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Controls, IT, Product Engineering, suppliers, and customers to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Participate in APQP, PPAP, PFMEA reviews, control plan development, and launch readiness activities.
• Investigate and reduce scrap, rework, downtime, quality defects, and other manufacturing losses.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive solutions for recurring equipment and process failures.
• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements, safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical training and guidance to production personnel, technicians, and other engineers on manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Maintain accurate equipment, process, layout, tooling, and engineering documentation.
• Manage assigned engineering projects and provide clear updates on timing, risks, actions, and results to leadership.
• Participate in customer and internal audits, supporting corrective actions and ensuring manufacturing controls are effectively implemented.
• Drive manufacturing decisions using data analysis, statistical methods, and process capability information.
• Support production during equipment breakdowns and significant process disruptions, including escalation and recovery activities when required.
• Promote a culture of safety, ownership, teamwork, continuous improvement, and customer focus throughout the manufacturing organization.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Line balancing

Root cause analysis

OEE

Kaizen

5S

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Associate's Degree with equivalent experience

Tools

AutoCAD

PLC Programming

Automation

Job description

Voltava is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to develop assembly processes driven by customer requirements, quality systems, and labor plans. You will manage new process implementations, equipment selection, and timing estimates, and resolve issues in design and manufacturability.

Lead automation and robotics selections in assembly to improve efficiency. The role requires hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, PFMEA, line balancing, and ramping up production, ensuring adherence to