Senior Manufacturing Engineer: Lead Automation & Process

Ace Controls; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global impact on production

Competitive salary

Professional development

International project exposure

Job summary

Stabilus is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize processes across assembly, machining, painting, and material handling in Gastonia, NC. This role drives continuous improvement, supports APQP product launches, and implements automation to boost productivity, quality, and cost performance.

You will lead cross-functional teams, justify capital equipment, and apply core tools to ensure product quality and process capability while delivering cost savings across the global

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• Proven project leadership skills with ability to manage cross-functional teams, timelines, and deliverables from concept through completion.
• Minimum 6 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a precision manufacturing or automotive/industrial environment.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 quality management systems.
• Demonstrated experience with APQP and full product launch cycle support.
• Working knowledge of Core Tools: PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and PPAP.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing automation— robotics, PLCs, vision systems, or automated assembly equipment.
• Proficiency in PTC Creo for 3D modeling, part design, and engineering drawings.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and machining/fabrication processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present technical findings to cross-functional and leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead large scale cost savings initiatives from inception through implementation.
• Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes for assembly, CNC machining, painting/coating, material handling, and printing operations.
• Lead capital equipment justification, procurement, installation, and qualification.
• Identify and implement automation solutions to improve throughput, reduce waste, and enhance ergonomics on the production floor.
• Lead cross-functional projects from initiation through completion, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence, and stakeholder alignment.
• Apply Core Tools (PFMEA, MSA, SPC, PPAP) to ensure product quality and process capability requirements are consistently met.
• Develop and maintain 3D models, engineering drawings, and tooling designs using PTC Creo.
• Lead and support APQP activities, including PFMEA, Control Plans, and Process Flow Diagrams
• Track and report on cost savings projects to support Stabilus US cost reduction targets.

Skills

Project leadership

IATF 16949

APQP

PFMEA

Control Plans

SPC

MSA

PPAP

Robotics

PLCs

Vision systems

PTC Creo

GD&T

Tolerance analysis

Machining expertise

Communication skills

Root cause analysis

Six Sigma

PMP

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SAP ERP

Job description

Stabilus is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to develop and optimize processes across assembly, machining, painting, and material handling in Gastonia, NC. This role drives continuous improvement, supports APQP product launches, and implements automation to boost productivity, quality, and cost performance.

You will lead cross-functional teams, justify capital equipment, and apply core tools to ensure product quality and process capability while delivering cost savings across the global