Manufacturing Engineer

**JOB DESCRIPTION** Key Responsibilities -------------------- ### 1\. Stakeholder Collaboration & Product Development * Serve as the primary technical liaison between customers, suppliers, and internal engineering teams. * Support and influence product development for **seat assembly, overhead systems, door assembly, and welding processes** (MIG, TIG, resistance). * Participate in design reviews and recommend design, material, and process alternatives to improve manufacturability, quality, and cost. ### 2\. Process Innovation & Implementation * Design, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes for **metal forming, welding, assembly, and urethane production**, including tooling, equipment, and process controls. * Establish and maintain **standard operating procedures (SOPs)** to control process variability and ensure consistent production of salable parts. * Support development from prototype builds through launch and full production. * Pilot new manufacturing technologies, including automation and robotics, and perform ROI analyses to support plant goals. ### 3\. Manufacturing Studies & Cost Optimization * Conduct manufacturing feasibility studies to assess cost drivers, quality risks, and inventory impact. * Determine the most efficient combination of materials, processes, and equipment to achieve cost and quality targets. * Recommend process, material, tooling, or equipment changes to improve productivity, quality, and profitability. * Prepare economic justifications for new equipment or process improvements and evaluate new technologies. ### 4\. Tooling & Equipment Strategy * Lead or support tooling and equipment selection, approval, validation, and implementation. * Coordinate with vendors regarding timelines, technical requirements, installation, and troubleshooting. * Ensure equipment capability meets production volume, quality, and safety requirements. ### 5\. Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing * Champion **Lean Manufacturing initiatives**, including line balancing, OEE improvement, quick changeover, weld cell utilization, and labor efficiency (jobs/hour). * Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for process deviations while maintaining design and quality standards. * Collaborate closely with Quality and Industrial Engineering teams to continuously improve manufacturing performance. ### 6\. Cross‑Functional Leadership & Communication * Develop and deliver training for new or updated manufacturing processes. * Maintain clear communication with stakeholders through operating instructions, regular updates, and project status reporting. * Act as a subject-matter expert for process troubleshooting, change management, and technology integration. ### 7\. Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) * Support environmental protection, personal safety, pollution prevention, and continuous improvement of the Environmental Management System. * Provide leadership during launches to ensure compliance with **OSHA, EPA, and TCEQ** standards. * Proactively monitor the workplace for environmental, health, and safety hazards and ensure corrective actions are implemented. * Participate in accident, near‑miss, and incident investigations and ensure timely completion of all incident reports. * Exercise stop‑work authority to prevent unsafe acts or conditions when necessary. Qualifications -------------- ### Education * Bachelor’s degree in **Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering**, or a related field required. ### Experience * **1-2 years** of experience in a manufacturing or assembly environment, preferably automotive. * Experience in **line balancing** and fast‑paced manufacturing operations. * Knowledge of **manufacturing processes, machine capabilities, and raw material characteristics**. * Experience coordinating with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Industrial Engineering teams. ### Technical Skills * Familiarity with **GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing)** principles. * Exposure to **PLCs** (Siemens, Mitsubishi, Allen‑Bradley preferred) is a plus. * Lean Manufacturing training or certification preferred. * Familiarity with the **Toyota Production System (TPS)** strongly preferred. * Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. **PRIMARY LOCATION** Avanzar San Antonio Facility