Durban On-site: Senior Automotive Process Engineer (Lean & Automation)

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Life assurance

Pension fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Manufacturing Process Engineer for our Durban plant. You will drive continuous improvement across manufacturing lines, focusing on efficiency, quality, and cost reduction using Lean and Six Sigma, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The role requires hands-on leadership, process optimization, and collaboration with design, quality, and production teams to ensure manufacturability and operational excellence on-site in Durban.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering with focus on process improvement in automotive.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt preferred).
• Experience with process simulation, data analysis and SPC.

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality and cost.
• Develop, implement, and validate new manufacturing processes and technologies including automation and robotics.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma improvement initiatives (Kaizen, VSM, DMAIC).
• Optimize assembly line balancing, material flow and workstation design for productivity.
• Create and maintain SOPs and work instructions for processes.
• Troubleshoot issues, identify root causes, implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with design, quality and production teams for manufacturability.
• Oversee capital equipment projects from justification to commissioning.
• Train production staff on new processes and equipment.
• Monitor KPIs and report on performance.
• Ensure safety and environmental standards compliance.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Process simulation

Data analysis

SPC (Statistical Process Control)

Automation & robotics

CAD software

APQP/PPAP knowledge

Leadership

Project management

Production floor experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Process simulation software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Manufacturing Process Engineer for our Durban plant. You will drive continuous improvement across manufacturing lines, focusing on efficiency, quality, and cost reduction using Lean and Six Sigma, automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The role requires hands-on leadership, process optimization, and collaboration with design, quality, and production teams to ensure manufacturability and operational excellence on-site in Durban.