Production Engineer

Re:Build Manufacturing; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Re:Build Manufacturing in Michigan is seeking a Production Engineer to design, implement, and sustain wire harness manufacturing processes, equipment, and procedures. You\'ll research automation, test new systems, and plan production line layouts to optimize output.

You’ll evaluate current processes, ensure compliance with IPC/WHMA-620, apply Lean/TOC principles, and collaborate with maintenance and cross-functional teams to improve efficiency and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with experience in product development and/or manufacturing or equivalent job experience.
• Wire harness expertise strongly preferred.
• 3–5 years demonstrated ability in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of production equipment for purchase, installation, and repair.
• Leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and information technology skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating existing wire harness manufacturing processes including cutting, stripping, crimping, and assembly operations and identifying areas for improvement.
• Ensuring manufacturing processes, equipment, and wire harness products comply with safety/quality standards and regulations (e.g., IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 workmanship standards).
• Analyze production processes, schedules, methods and other data and then provide management with reports containing the data and statistics to enable management to better understand future requirements needed for the wire harness manufacturing process.
• Able to apply Lean / TOC production principles and practices to the wire harness manufacturing environment.
• Works with all levels of the organization to identify and implement process improvements.
• Works closely with maintenance to ensure the maintainability of new installations, such as automated cut/strip/crimp machines, crimp presses, and testing equipment, by implementing an effective predictive and preventative program.
• Ensures workplace safety with heavy focus on operator ergonomics.
• Improve labor productivity/efficiency through collaborative efforts with cross‑functional teams.
• Improve workstation layout, workflow, and harness assembly methods, including assembly boards and workstations.
• Responsible for in‑house process validations, must be well‑versed in process qualification/validation (including crimp pull‑force testing and crimp cross‑section analysis).
• Supports NPD teams with DFM direction for wire harness and cable assembly designs.
• Support Product/Process validation and verification.
• Perform engineering changes/product improvements to sustain current wire harness production.
• Write, update, and approve production processes and procedures, including work instructions and routing for harness builds.
• Work with quality department in effort to resolve production and supplier nonconformities.
• Liaising with suppliers, customers and research and development staff.
• Research, purchase, and/or implement new equipment, processes, procedures, and systems, such as crimp force monitors, automated wire processing equipment, and continuity/hi‑pot test systems.
• Provide technical expertise and support to production personnel on the wire harness line.

Skills

Wire harness expertise

Manufacturing experience

Leadership

Education

BS in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About Re:Build Manufacturing and Re:Build Tekna:

Tekna was founded in 1988 in the heart of Southwest Michigan where creative vision and hard work laid the foundation for a business that continues to grow in a rapidly evolving industry. The rigor and attention to detail that comes with designing for the medical industry has awarded us success in supporting both major companies and start-ups from early stage development to commercialization. The same principles apply as we’ve expanded to serve customers in a wide variety of other industries including consumer and industrial goods, electronics, and appliances. Tekna’s project portfolio is incredibly diverse covering medical, life science, consumer and industrial product categories. Tekna is largely client focused offering design consulting, contract manufacturing and original equipment manufacturing services. Tekna’s cross functional teams include Design Engineering, Industrial Design, CAD, Procurement, Production and Quality which offers a friendly and supportive team atmosphere.

Re:Build Manufacturing is a family of industrial businesses combining cutting‑edge enabling technologies, operational superiority, and strategic M&A to build America’s next‑generation industrial company. Re:Build leverages deep expertise in operations management and technology to supercharge the performance of its subsidiaries by implementing core technologies across industrial platforms in diversified growth markets. Our goal is to help revitalize the U.S. manufacturing base over the coming decades, creating substantial opportunities for our employees and the communities where we operate.

If you like a fast‑paced environment where individuals can stretch and be challenged with a diverse set of projects, we offer a great deal of variety and empower our staff to take on as much responsibility as they can handle, offering a helping hand and experienced‑based coaching and the support of a highly competent team. Our goal is to enable our employees to achieve their fullest potential, and through our association with Re:Build, provide avenues for personal and professional growth.

Who we are looking for

The Production Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining processes, procedures, and equipment involved in wire harness manufacturing. Responsibilities include researching automation techniques for harness assembly, testing new systems for efficiency, and planning production line layouts to optimize wire harness output.

What you’ll get to do

• Evaluating existing wire harness manufacturing processes including cutting, stripping, crimping, and assembly operations and identifying areas for improvement.
• Ensuring manufacturing processes, equipment, and wire harness products comply with safety/quality standards and regulations (e.g., IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 workmanship standards).
• Analyze production processes, schedules, methods and other data and then provide management with reports containing the data and statistics to enable management to better understand future requirements needed for the wire harness manufacturing process.
• Able to apply Lean / TOC production principles and practices to the wire harness manufacturing environment.
• Works with all levels of the organization to identify and implement process improvements.
  • Works closely with maintenance to ensure the maintainability of new installations, such as automated cut/strip/crimp machines, crimp presses, and testing equipment, by implementing an effective predictive and preventative program.
• Ensures workplace safety with heavy focus on operator ergonomics.
• Improve labor productivity/efficiency through collaborative efforts with cross‑functional teams.
• Improve workstation layout, workflow, and harness assembly methods, including assembly boards and workstations.
• Responsible for in‑house process validations, must be well‑versed in process qualification/validation (including crimp pull‑force testing and crimp cross‑section analysis).
• Supports NPD teams with DFM direction for wire harness and cable assembly designs.
• Support Product/Process validation and verification.
• Perform engineering changes/product improvements to sustain current wire harness production.
• Write, update, and approve production processes and procedures, including work instructions and routing for harness builds.
• Work with quality department in effort to resolve production and supplier nonconformities.
• Liaising with suppliers, customers and research and development staff.
• Research, purchase, and/or implement new equipment, processes, procedures, and systems, such as crimp force monitors, automated wire processing equipment, and continuity/hi‑pot test systems.
• Provide technical expertise and support to production personnel on the wire harness line.

What you bring to the team

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering with experience in product development and/or manufacturing or equivalent job experience.
• Wire harness expertise strongly preferred.
• 3‑5 years demonstrated ability in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of production equipment for purchase, installation, and repair.
• Leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and information technology skills.

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