Senior Automotive Manufacturing Process Engineer

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Growth opportunities

Advanced technologies

Safety-focused culture

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, South Africa, is seeking a Senior Automotive Manufacturing Process Engineer to optimize production lines and introduce automation. The role focuses on improving efficiency, quality and safety across automotive assembly processes.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with robotics, lean methods and IATF 16949, and will lead continuous improvement projects while mentoring plant staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing process engineering.
• Deep knowledge of assembly line operations, automation and robotics.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles (Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• Experience with IATF 16949 quality management system.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design and implement optimized manufacturing processes for automotive assembly.
• Improve assembly line layouts and tooling to reduce cycle times.
• Introduce new manufacturing technologies and automation solutions.
• Develop and implement robust quality control measures for product consistency.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with design, engineering and quality teams for manufacturability.
• Train and mentor staff on new processes, safety protocols and quality standards.
• Champion lean principles and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading automotive manufacturing facility, dedicated to producing high-quality vehicles efficiently and effectively. They are actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Automotive Manufacturing Process Engineer to enhance their production capabilities in East London, Eastern Cape . This role is critical for optimizing manufacturing processes, introducing new technologies, and ensuring the seamless assembly of vehicle components. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of automotive assembly lines, automation, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles. You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, troubleshooting production issues, and ensuring that manufacturing processes meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. This is a key position for an engineer passionate about optimizing automotive production.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, and implement optimized manufacturing processes for automotive assembly.
• Develop and improve assembly line layouts, workflows, and tooling to enhance efficiency and reduce cycle times.
• Introduce and integrate new manufacturing technologies and automation solutions.
• Develop and implement robust quality control measures and procedures to ensure product consistency.
• Troubleshoot and resolve manufacturing process issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Collaborate with design, engineering, and quality assurance teams to ensure manufacturability of new designs.
• Train and mentor manufacturing staff on new processes, safety protocols, and quality standards.
• Champion lean manufacturing principles and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to all health, safety, and environmental regulations in the manufacturing plant.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in automotive manufacturing process engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of assembly line operations, automation, robotics, and tooling.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• Experience with quality management systems in the automotive industry (e.g., IATF 16949).
• Proficiency in CAD software for process simulation and layout design.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Must have valid work authorization for East London, Eastern Cape .

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Exposure to advanced automotive manufacturing technologies.
• A collaborative and safety-focused work environment.
• Potential for career advancement within a leading automotive company.