Onsite Automotive Manufacturing Engineer — Lean & Automation

American Axle & Mfg., Inc.; Newton (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Dauch Corporation in Newton, North Carolina is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our onsite team. This role focuses on designing, improving, and sustaining high-volume manufacturing processes to enhance quality, throughput, and cost efficiency.

The ideal candidate excels in problem solving, data analysis, and collaboration across engineering, quality, and operations to support launches and continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 1–3+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience in automotive industry, Tier 1 preferred.
• Experience in high-volume JIT production environments.
• Exposure to assembly, welding, or automated manufacturing processes.
• Experience with APQP, PFMEA, control plans, and PPAP processes.
• Familiarity with automation, robotics, PLCs, or industrial equipment.
• Proficiency in data analysis and problem-solving tools (root cause analysis, SPC).
• CAD experience.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and optimizes manufacturing processes for efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Standardizes work methods, process parameters, and documentation.
• Drives continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Analyzes production data to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Leads manufacturing engineering activities for new product launches and engineering changes.
• Ensures APQP deliverables (PFMEA, control plans, process flow diagrams).
• Collaborates with product engineering, quality, and operations to ensure successful launches.
• Specifies, procures, and implements manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
• Supports installation, validation, and commissioning of new equipment.
• Drives innovation through automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Monitors and improves KPIs (OEE, cycle time, throughput, efficiency).
• Supports cost reduction initiatives, including labor and material optimization.
• Works with maintenance/operations to improve equipment reliability and uptime.

Skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

PLCs

Robotics

Automation equipment

Job description

Dauch Corporation in Newton, North Carolina is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our onsite team. This role focuses on designing, improving, and sustaining high-volume manufacturing processes to enhance quality, throughput, and cost efficiency.

The ideal candidate excels in problem solving, data analysis, and collaboration across engineering, quality, and operations to support launches and continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment.