Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer
Job Description
The Manufacturing Engineer provides onsite support to resolve sheet metal and exterior ornamentation dimensional and fit issues during vehicle launch. This role leads manufacturing engineering activities throughout new model development, from early prototype phases through post-launch stabilization, ensuring robust tooling, processes, and dimensional quality for exterior components and assemblies.
Responsibilities
Provide onsite support to drive resolution of sheet metal and exterior ornamentation dimensional and fit issues during vehicle launch.
Lead manufacturing engineering activities throughout the new model development program from UPV2 through J1 plus 45 days, ensuring readiness at each build phase.
Implement new and modified tooling and facilities based on product and process changes, coordinating installation and integration into existing manufacturing systems.
Lead manufacturing assembly builds (VP, TT, PP, MP1, and MP2) at the assigned assembly plant, ensuring processes, tooling, and quality checks are in place and effective.
Interface with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Supplier Technical Assistance, Material Planning & Logistics, and New Model Programs, to align manufacturing requirements with program objectives.
Write, modify, and maintain process sheets as required to reflect current manufacturing methods, tooling changes, and ergonomic standards.
Lead assembly tooling installation, start-up, and commissioning at the assembly site, ensuring tools meet dimensional, safety, and ergonomic requirements.
Support tooling design reviews and buy-offs at vendor facilities, verifying that tooling meets specifications and is ready for plant deployment.
Prepare and lead management presentations from post-Program Approval through J1 plus 45 days, summarizing launch status, dimensional performance, and issue resolution progress.
Lead issue resolution and reporting for exterior ornamentation dimensional issues, ensuring timely corrective actions and sustainable solutions.
Utilize dimensional measurement data, including CMM and scanning technologies, to identify concerns, drive root cause investigations, and support corrective actions throughout vehicle development and launch.
Drive continuous improvements in quality, cost, and labor efficiency through optimized processes, tooling, and assembly methods.
Participate in design reviews, virtual builds, and manufacturing feasibility assessments to ensure dimensional requirements are considered and achievable in production.
Contribute to measurement planning activities and issue resolution efforts related to vehicle dimensional quality across product development and manufacturing phases.
Work closely with Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Launch, Quality, Body Construction, and plant-based teams to ensure dimensional requirements are met throughout program execution.
Provide intensive onsite launch support at the Kentucky Truck Plant during critical phases, working directly with manufacturing, launch, quality, and product development teams to achieve dimensional quality and production readiness.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, preferably in final assembly or body construction environments.
Hands-on experience with final assembly or body construction tooling, including installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
Manufacturing engineering and process engineering expertise, with a strong understanding of manufacturing process development and tooling integration.
Experience with automotive dimensional systems, including dimensional scanning technologies and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) data analysis and interpretation.
Strong application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles to vehicle components and assemblies.
Solid understanding of vehicle geometry, tolerance management, and manufacturing variation analysis.
Experience with sheet metal, exterior ornamentation, sub-assembly, and body engineering processes.
Proficiency in CAD software such as NX or CATIA and in Teamcenter for data management and collaboration.
Strong understanding of ergonomic standards and their application to manufacturing processes and tooling.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver clear management presentations and cross-functional updates.
Proven project management skills, including coordinating cross-functional activities and managing timelines across multiple build phases.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Ability to utilize measurement data to identify dimensional concerns and translate findings into actionable process or design changes.
Experience leading root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions related to dimensional quality issues.
Comfort working in a highly collaborative environment with Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Launch, Quality, Body Construction, and plant-based teams.
Ability to participate effectively in design reviews, virtual builds, and manufacturing feasibility assessments.
Experience in measurement planning and issue resolution activities for vehicle dimensional quality.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail in dimensional data and process performance.
Adaptability to shifting priorities and program demands during critical launch phases.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly and spend extended periods onsite at manufacturing facilities during launch.
Work Environment
This role is based at a World Headquarters location in Dearborn, Michigan within a collaborative product development and manufacturing environment. The Manufacturing Engineer initially focuses on dimensional engineering activities, working closely with Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Launch, Quality, Body Construction, and plant-based teams. Daily work involves participation in design reviews, virtual builds, manufacturing feasibility assessments, measurement planning, and issue resolution efforts related to vehicle dimensional quality. The position uses CAD tools such as NX or CATIA, Teamcenter, and automotive dimensional measurement technologies including scanning systems and CMM equipment.
In October 2027, the role transitions into a significant launch support position at a large truck assembly plant in Louisville, Kentucky. During critical launch phases, the engineer spends extended periods onsite, working directly with manufacturing, launch, quality, and product development teams to support dimensional quality objectives and production readiness. The travel rotation typically involves traveling to Kentucky on a Monday, working onsite through the week and weekend, continuing support into the following week, and returning home on Thursday evening, followed by a long weekend before the next rotation as program demands require. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with frequent interaction on the plant floor and in cross-functional meetings, focused on achieving robust dimensional quality and successful vehicle launches.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Dearborn, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $47.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligi
