Preform Technician (1st Shift)

Magna International; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna Powertrain in Sterling Heights, MI seeks a skilled technician to manage preform tooling inventory and optimize tooling life while supporting daily production. You will train operators, troubleshoot processes, and liaise with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and quality.

Ideal candidates have 2–3 years in automotive tooling, know APQP/FMEA/DOE, and are proficient with SolidWorks and MS Office. Willingness to travel and overtime is required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; college diploma preferred.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma or DFMA is a plus.
• 2–3 years hands-on automotive industry experience.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Experience with APQP, FMEA, VE/VA, DOE and GD&T.
• Willing to travel for supplier interactions when required.
• Proficient with SolidWorks and MS Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage preform consumable tooling inventory and control.
• Ensure correct design revision and tooling supports daily production schedule.
• Maintain digital records of inventories, usage, and cycle counts.
• Train Operators on consumable tooling manufacturing and repair.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment inefficiencies; support preventive maintenance.
• Operate production equipment safely and strive for high throughput.
• Collaborate with suppliers to manage inventory and provide technical guidance.
• Assist setup personnel in machine setup and tool disposition.

Skills

Organizational skills

Verbal and written communication

Training delivery

APQP / FMEA / VE/VA / DOE

Blueprint reading

SolidWorks knowledge

Project management

Microsoft Office suite

Self-directed work style

Willingness to overtime/weekends

Education

High School diploma or GED

College diploma in related field preferred

Six Sigma or DFMA knowledge asset

Tools

AS400

Bar code labeling system

MS Project

SolidWorks

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Job descriptions may display in multiple languagesbased on your language selection.

What we offer:

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary:

Transforming mobility. Making automotive technology that is smarter, cleaner, safer and lighter. That’s what we’re passionate about at Magna Powertrain, and we do it by creating world-class powertrain systems. We are a premier supplier for the global automotive industry with full capabilities in design, development, testing and manufacturing of complex powertrain systems. Our name stands for quality, environmental consciousness, and safety. Innovation is what drives us and we drive innovation. Dream big and create the future of mobility at Magna Powertrain.

Job Responsibilities:

Objective:

To manufacture quality parts as directed within an acceptable time frame to assist the organization in meeting all MAFACT and customer’s requirements and to perform the assigned task in a safe manner.

Scope

• Responsible for overseeing and managing Preform consumable tooling inventory and control; Consumable tools to include New preform rolls, re-machined preform rolls, preform rings, shaft bearings and other bearing assemblies
• Ensure that all preform machines are equipped with correct design revision and physical consumable tooling that supports Production Schedule on a daily basis.
• Maintains accurate digital records of all inventories, including usage, cycle count, design records using database software
• Monitors and adjust preform tooling life; Completes failure analysis on premature failures and adjusts machining process to improve tool life
• Monitors and optimizes machine parameters to improve tooling life Interacts and liaise with Supplier network to manage inventory and provide technical guidance when required, to meet Production Schedule
• Responsible for seeking cost-saving opportunities and drive A3 Projects
• Able to provide technical assistance with Program changeover, make adjustments, clean and inspect tooling on assigned machines to disposition for repair or scrap
• Provide training for Operators on consumable tooling manufacturing and repair plan
• Troubleshoot process and equipment inefficiencies and support activities for improving preventative maintenance activities on tooling & equipment as required.
• Operate all assigned production equipment safely and efficiently.
• Consistently meet or exceed production rate on all jobs they perform.
• Ensure that the workstations are kept safe, neat, and clean as specified in the work instructions by 5S and TPM guidelines.
• Inspect parts produced at various workstations, both visually and with measurement tools, in order to maintain the highest level of quality.
• Escalate issue(s) to Production Team Leader or Production Supervisor, i.e., machine/equipment problem, safety-related issue, process is out of control or out of specification & has the authority to stop the line to correct safety or quality issues.
• Ensure that all parts are always handled properly to preserve their quality. Support cross functional team when troubleshooting any issues.
• Assist set up personnel (as required) in setting up machines.
• Organizes Quality plan for tools made in-house Trains Operators on how to correctly complete first off and last off part inspections as required for in-house manufactured tools
• Creates and optimizes standardized work to reduce preform folds and other preform process defects
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Preform Process Supervisor or designate.
• Report any injuries, accidents, equipment malfunctions, property damage etc. to Supervisor.
• Responsible to manage the cleanliness and orderliness of the work area (5S). Responsible to communicate with team members (Supervisor, Leader, Quality, Co-workers) on any issues with the machines. Have an understanding of what the cause of the issue is and which team member to inform. (Maintenance, Quality)
• Authorized to stop the process if it does not meet quality and/or safety requirements and notify Supervisor/Quality immediately.
• Train new employees as needed on all aspects of job.
• Attend and participate in team and employee meetings including Mafact Meetings.
• Responsible to report to another job or task as directed by the Supervisor/Leader if assigned job is down.

Responsibilities, Duties and Authority: (These duties cover only the more significant responsibilities, they are not meant to be all inclusive. Other duties may be given by the supervisor in addition to, or instead of, those listed here.)

Participates in continuous improvement activities, submits improvement suggestions (CI, Safety). Ensure that company policies and procedures are adhered to including IATF, ISO14001 (EMS), and Employee Handbook. Follows MIOSHA and MPTSH safety regulations and policies, including wearing required P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment). Reports unsafe conditions to Supervisor/Leader.

Education and/or Experience** : **

• High School diploma or G.E.D. College Diploma in related field preferred.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma or DFMA (Design for Manufacturing) an asset.
• Two (2) to three (3) years hands‑on experience in automotive industry.
• Good organizational and communicational skills both verbal and written.
• Ability to perform training sessions and workshops.
• Hands‑on experience and good understanding of APQP, FMEA, VE/VA, DOE, Advanced GD&T and continuous improvement tools.
• Some business travel may be required to interact with Suppliers and market test new Suppliers
• Experience in automotive blueprint reading & working knowledge of SolidWorks
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Business savvy and able to generate consumable tool cost saving ideas
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, MS Project, Microsoft Outlook
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage simultaneous projects.
• Able to work within a self‑directed work environment to achieve results.
• Able to work overtime and weekends as required.

Additional Skills:

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend instructions in English and correspondence such as safety rules and operating instructions. Ability to document forms as required by position.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of AS400 and ability to use bar code labeling system.

Reasoning Skills

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands:

(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, speak, listen and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

Work Environment:

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

The work environment for this job will be on the plant floor. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.

Worker Type:

Regular / Permanent

Group:

Magna Powertrain