Senior Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS); Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS) in Auburn Hills, MI, seeks a Senior Advanced Manufacturing Engineer to lead the development, benchmarking, and optimization of complex automotive assembly processes. This role focuses on launch performance, automation strategy, and manufacturing excellence across multiple domains.

The candidate combines hands-on manufacturing know-how with a forward-thinking mindset on digital tools and AI-enabled engineering, collaborating with operations, engineering,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Significant experience in automotive general assembly manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of automation, ergonomics, PFMEA, line balancing, and lean manufacturing.
• Experience with launch support and manufacturing optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of advanced manufacturing strategies for new and existing assembly processes.
• Develop scalable and efficient manufacturing concepts focused on safety, quality, throughput, ergonomics, and cost.
• Support manufacturing process optimization from early concept through launch stabilization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, labor optimization, equipment utilization, and operational stability.
• Lead internal and external benchmarking activities across automotive and other relevant industries.
• Research emerging manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, AI-enabled tools, and best practices.
• Support successful launches of new manufacturing lines and processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, suppliers, and integrators.

Skills

Automation

Ergonomics

PFMEA

Lean manufacturing

Line balancing

Launch support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Senior Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Launch & Process Optimization

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Advanced Manufacturing Engineer to lead the development, benchmarking, and optimization of manufacturing processes for complex automotive assembly systems. This role will serve as a key technical leader and individual contributor focused on improving launch performance, operational efficiency, automation strategy, and manufacturing excellence across multiple assembly domains.

The ideal candidate combines deep hands‑on manufacturing knowledge with a forward‑thinking mindset around automation, digital tools, and AI‑enabled engineering. This individual will collaborate across operations, engineering, suppliers, integrators, and leadership teams to help shape the next generation of efficient, scalable manufacturing systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of advanced manufacturing strategies for new and existing assembly processes.
• Develop scalable and efficient manufacturing concepts focused on safety, quality, throughput, ergonomics, and cost.
• Support manufacturing process optimization from early concept through launch stabilization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, labor optimization, equipment utilization, and operational stability.
• Lead internal and external benchmarking activities across automotive and other relevant industries.
• Research emerging manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, AI‑enabled tools, and best practices.
• Support successful launches of new manufacturing lines and processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, suppliers, and integrators.

Core Process Expertise

• Tire & wheel assembly
• Cockpit assembly
• Console assembly
• Engine dress operations
• Suspension assembly systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Significant experience in automotive general assembly manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of automation, ergonomics, PFMEA, line balancing, and lean manufacturing.
• Experience with launch support and manufacturing optimization.

Desired Attributes

• Open-minded and curious with a passion for continuous learning.
• Embraces AI and emerging technologies to accelerate engineering capability.
• Strong team player who values collaboration and people.
• Principal-level technical leadership capability as an individual contributor.