Industrial Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Vonore, TN

Job Description:

As an Industrial Manufacturing Engineer at our Tier-1 Automotive supplier, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficiency, quality, and reliability of our manufacturing processes. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, optimize production workflows, and implement best practices in automotive manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Process Optimization: Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for improvement in efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. Develop and implement innovative solutions to enhance manufacturing performance while maintaining product quality standards.

2. Production Planning and Scheduling: Collaborate with production planning teams to develop and optimize production schedules, ensuring optimal utilization of resources and adherence to customer demand. Implement strategies to minimize lead times, reduce inventory levels, and improve on-time delivery performance.

3. New Product Introduction (NPI): Lead the manufacturing engineering activities for new product introductions, collaborating with product design teams to ensure manufacturability and scalability. Develop manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures to support the successful launch of new products into production.

4. Lean Manufacturing Initiatives: Drive lean manufacturing initiatives to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and improve overall efficiency in manufacturing operations. Implement lean tools and methodologies such as 5S, value stream mapping, and kaizen events to drive continuous improvement and achieve operational excellence.

5. Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to implement robust quality control measures and ensure compliance with automotive industry standards and customer requirements. Develop and implement process controls, inspection procedures, and error-proofing techniques to prevent defects and non-conformities.

6. Supply Chain Optimization: Work closely with supply chain teams to optimize supplier relationships, improve material flow, and reduce lead times. Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost reduction, and inventory management optimization to enhance supply chain efficiency and resilience.

7. Equipment and Tooling Design: Collaborate with equipment and tooling suppliers to design, develop, and implement manufacturing equipment and tooling solutions. Ensure that equipment and tooling designs meet performance requirements, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.

8. Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams including production, engineering, quality, and supply chain to resolve manufacturing issues, address root causes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Foster a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and open communication across departments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's degree preferred)
• years of experience in industrial manufacturing engineering roles within the automotive industry, preferably in a Tier-1 supplier environment
• Strong knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes, including stamping, welding, assembly, and painting
• Proficiency in lean manufacturing principles and methodologies, with experience implementing lean tools and techniques
• Experience with CAD/CAM software for tooling and fixture design (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
• Knowledge of quality management systems and automotive industry standards (e.g., ISO/TS 16949)
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze complex manufacturing issues and develop effective solutions
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results on time and within budget
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners