Sr. Manager, Manufacturing Engineering (IL) (1381)

Hyundai Translead; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 112,540 - 135,065; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (

Job summary

Hyundai Translead is seeking a Manager of Manufacturing Engineering to lead strategies and execution for safe, cost-effective trailer production. You will design lines, optimize processes, and guide automation and capital projects across assembly, welding, and fabrication.

You will partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and global teams to scale solutions, improve productivity, and support ramp-ups while upholding standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 12 years of progressively responsible manufacturing engineering experience.
• Proven experience leading large engineering teams and capital projects.
• Experience in trailer, commercial vehicle, or similar manufacturing industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute manufacturing engineering strategies supporting plant objectives.
• Design production lines and layouts for dry and reefer trailer manufacturing.
• Lead equipment design, installation, commissioning, and trials.
• Drive automation initiatives, including robotic welding systems.
• Optimize manpower, takt time, capacity planning, and line balancing.
• Establish standard work, work instructions, and time study methodologies.
• Measure and improve man-hour standards; monitor targets.
• Identify cost-reduction and method improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with global teams including Mexico operations.
• Lead, develop, and mentor manufacturing engineering teams.
• Oversee multiple teams and major capital projects.
• Lead plant-wide process design and cost-reduction programs.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Team leadership

Capital projects

Welding automation

Process optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Robotic welding systems

Gantry systems

Positioners

Job description

We believe the future of our organization lies within the hearts and capabilities of our team members. We respect diversity and will continuously strive to be a respected global corporate citizen.

Heavily invested in R&D and engineering, we also recognize that our customers require much more than just our state‑of‑the‑art trailer solutions. Hyundai Translead is committed to delivering innovation beyond the product to positively impact the trailer owning lifecycle.

In addition to delivering consistently excellent products from our world‑class manufacturing facilities, we've developed technologies and services that dramatically improve the customer care experience. Our goal is to be there for you, when and where you need, to provide solutions in a timely, cost‑efficient manner.

This position will be for our new manufacturing facility in Joliet and will initially be employed by Hyundai Translead's corporate office but will be remote from the State of Illinois to support the launch of the Company's new manufacturing facility before transitioning to full time, onsite once the facility is operational.

Pay Range: $112,540 - $135,065

Exciting benefits await at our company:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage with 100% Company Paid Premiums
• 401K plan with 4% Employer Matching
• Flexible Spending Accounts for added financial flexibility
• Grocery Allowance to support your well‑being
• Pet Insurance for your furry companions

Job Summary

The Manager, Manufacturing Engineering role is responsible for leading manufacturing engineering strategy and execution to support safe, efficient, and cost‑effective trailer manufacturing operations. This position designs, implements, and optimizes production lines, manufacturing processes, and equipment systems across assembly, welding, and parts fabrication environments.

The role partners cross‑functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and global manufacturing teams to deliver scalable manufacturing solutions, improve productivity, and support production ramp‑up while ensuring alignment to business objectives and manufacturing standards.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute manufacturing engineering strategies supporting mid- to long‑term plant objectives
• Design production lines and layout concepts for dry and reefer trailer manufacturing
• Lead equipment design concepts, installation, commissioning, and production trials
• Drive automation initiatives, including robotic welding systems and automated manufacturing methods
• Optimize manpower, productivity, takt time, capacity planning, and line balancing
• Establish standard work, work instructions, and time study methodologies
• Measure, validate, and improve man‑hour standards (STD, target, actual)
• Identify and execute cost‑reduction and manufacturing method improvement initiatives
• Collaborate cross‑functionally and globally with manufacturing engineering teams, including Mexico operations
• Lead, develop, and mentor manufacturing engineering teams and technical talent
• Establish engineering strategies aligned to plant objectives
• Oversee multiple teams and major capital projects
• Lead plant‑wide process design and cost‑reduction programs
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent experience
• Minimum 12 years of progressively responsible manufacturing engineering experience
• Proven experience leading large engineering teams and capital projects
• Experience in trailer, commercial vehicle, or similar manufacturing industries

Preferred Education and Experience Requirements

• Project management experience supporting new line or plant ramp‑ups
• Experience with large‑scale welding automation (robot cells, gantries, positioners)
• Experience supporting new plant launches or major facility expansions

Travel Requirements

• Up to 10%

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.

Hyundai Translead is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position they are hired for.