Plant Engineering Manager

Diversified Recruitment Services, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Diversified Recruitment Services, LLC is seeking an experienced Plant Engineering Manager to lead engineering operations in an automotive manufacturing environment, directing projects to on-time and on-budget delivery and coordinating schedules, resources, and audits.

You will oversee Manufacturing Engineering, Controls Engineering, and Maintenance teams, drive continuous improvements, reduce downtime, and support plant performance through NPI, tooling, maintenance, and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
• 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience and 5+ years of management experience.
• Experience with Six Sigma/Kaizen and automotive manufacturing preferred.
• Strong communicator with ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering operations, manufacturing improvements, and project execution in automotive manufacturing.
• Direct project schedules, resource allocation, and program documentation; coordinate audits.
• Oversee Manufacturing Engineering, Controls Engineering, and Maintenance teams; drive continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime, eliminate waste, and improve safety, quality, productivity, and uptime.

Skills

Electrical knowledge

Controls experience

Leadership

Manufacturing engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley systems

Siemens systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Plant Engineering Manager to lead engineering operations, manufacturing improvements, and project execution within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating engineering projects to ensure objectives are achieved on time and within budget. The Engineering Manager will oversee project schedules, resource allocation, customer communication, program documentation, and internal and external audits while supporting overall plant performance.

The Engineering Manager will provide leadership to Manufacturing Engineering, Controls Engineering, and Maintenance teams, with a focus on improving production efficiency, equipment reliability, quality, and cost performance. Responsibilities include overseeing new product introductions, product launches, production tooling, equipment maintenance, and process improvements. This individual will work closely with manufacturing, quality, and plant leadership to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, reduce downtime, eliminate waste, and implement effective manufacturing solutions.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field is required, along with 5–10 years of manufacturing engineering experience and at least 5 years of management experience.
• Candidates should have strong electrical and controls knowledge, including experience with Allen-Bradley or Siemens systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including Six Sigma and Kaizen, is essential. Previous automotive manufacturing experience, particularly within a Just-in-Time (JIT) sequencing environment, is highly preferred.
• The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and hands-on engineering leader with a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, solve complex manufacturing challenges, and drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.