Manufacturing Engineer

ABC Technologies is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of custom, highly engineered, technical plastics, and light-weight innovations to the North American light vehicle industry. Serving more than 25 major original equipment manufacturer customers in 7 countries, the Company is Molding The Future and is strategically placed to offer vertically integrated product and process solutions through a skilled workforce of over 11,000 team members. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.abctechnologies.com.

Job Summary:

Manufacturing engineers play a crucial role in automotive parts manufacturing companies by designing, optimizing, and improving manufacturing processes to ensure efficient production of high-quality automotive components.

Overall, manufacturing engineers play a vital role in the success of automotive parts manufacturing companies by optimizing manufacturing processes, enhancing product quality, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to meet customer requirements and industry standards.

Job Responsibilities:

Your supervisor may from time to time ask you to perform other related duties not specifically included in this job description. This job's key responsibilities include:

• Process Design and Development: Design and develop manufacturing processes to produce automotive parts.
  
  Collaborate with design engineers and product development teams to ensure that manufacturing processes are compatible with product design specifications. Conduct feasibility studies, process simulations, and cost analyses to evaluate the viability of manufacturing processes and identify areas for improvement.

• Production Planning and Optimization: Plan and optimize production workflows, layouts, and schedules to maximize efficiency, minimize lead times, and meet production targets.
  
  Identify and implement process improvements, lean manufacturing techniques, and automation solutions to streamline production processes and reduce waste. Utilize tools such as value stream mapping, process flow analysis, and time studies to identify bottlenecks and optimize production throughput.

• Equipment Selection and Integration: Evaluate and select manufacturing equipment, machinery, and tooling required for automotive parts production.
  
  Oversee the installation, commissioning, and integration of new equipment into existing production lines. Develop equipment specifications, design custom fixtures, and tooling solutions to optimize manufacturing processes and improve productivity.

• Quality Assurance and Control: Develop and implement quality control measures, inspection procedures, and testing protocols to ensure the quality and reliability of automotive parts.
  
  Establish quality standards, specifications, and acceptance criteria for manufacturing processes and products. Work closely with quality assurance teams to monitor process performance, analyze defects, and implement corrective actions to address quality issues.

• Supplier Management and Collaboration: Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to source materials, components, and equipment required for automotive parts manufacturing. Evaluate supplier capabilities, performance, and quality control processes to ensure compliance with manufacturing standards and requirements.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing manufacturing processes, reducing costs, and enhancing product quality.
  
  Conduct root cause analysis, process audits, and performance reviews to identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions. Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in automotive manufacturing to drive innovation and maintain competitiveness.

• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate documentation of manufacturing processes, equipment specifications, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and work instructions. Generate reports, performance metrics, and data analyses to track key performance indicators (KPIs), monitor process efficiency, and communicate findings to stakeholders.

• Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance: Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and standards applicable to automotive parts manufacturing. Implement safety protocols, risk assessments, and preventive measures to mitigate workplace hazards and ensure a safe working environment for employees.

Job Qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in engineering is typically required for entry-level positions. Common engineering disciplines for manufacturing engineers include Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering (for specific roles involving automation or electronics).

• Skills & Experience:

• Work Experience: Relevant work experience in manufacturing or engineering roles with specific focus on areas such as production, quality control, process improvement, or project management can be valuable for manufacturing engineering positions.

• Technical Skills: Employers typically look for candidates with strong technical skills related to manufacturing processes, production systems, CAD/CAM software, quality control methods, and data analysis tools. Familiarity with industry-specific standards and regulations, such as ISO/TS 16949 for automotive quality management, is also beneficial.

• Soft Skills: Strong communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and project management skills. Manufacturing engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams, interact with stakeholders, and lead projects to improve manufacturing processes and product quality.