Are you looking to work for a company that provides an innovative work environment, and your voice is heard?
We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Manufacturing Engineering Manager to join our client in Auburn Hills. This role plays a critical part in supporting manufacturing success by ensuring reliable, efficient, and compliant production processes aligned with operational and customer requirements.
This position leads manufacturing engineering, maintenance, facility operations, and process optimization to drive operational excellence, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities include (but not limited to):
Manufacturing Execution & Process Ownership
- Own and optimize end-to-end manufacturing processes across automated, electronics, and manual assembly operations
- Drive improvements in yield, throughput, labor efficiency, and cost
- Ensure robust process controls through PFMEA, control plans, routings, and standard work
- Lead line balancing, capacity planning, and layout optimization to support business demand
Equipment Reliability & System Performance
- Own the performance and reliability of production equipment, automation, and test systems
- Lead preventive and predictive maintenance programs to ensure uptime and stability
- Drive root cause analysis and permanent corrective actions for:
- Equipment downtime
- Test system failures and false rejects
- Process variability impacting quality or throughput
- Partner with internal teams and external resources to upgrade, standardize, and integrate test platforms and manufacturing systems
Capital Equipment, Automation & Integration
- Lead capital equipment strategy including selection, justification, installation, and validation
- Drive system integration efforts across automation, test systems, MES/ERP interfaces, and production equipment
- Ensure proper execution of IQ/OQ/PQ and process validation activities
- Manage vendor relationships, service contracts, and spare parts strategy
- Support facility and equipment planning aligned with operational growth
Facility Management & Operational Readiness
- Own facility infrastructure including HVAC systems, electrical distribution, compressed air, lighting, and building systems
- Ensure facility readiness to support production, environmental, and regulatory requirements
- Lead facility upgrades, expansions, and layout changes in support of operational needs
- Manage external contractors and service providers for facility-related work
- Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
- Drive 5S, workplace organization, and facility-level improvements across the site
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Lead manufacturing readiness and industrialization of new and transferred products
- Partner with Product Engineering to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM)
- Ensure smooth transition from development to stable, scalable production
Quality & Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Partner with Quality to ensure compliance with UL, ETL, ISO 9001, and internal QMS requirements
- Support audits, nonconformance management, CAPA, MRB, and customer issue resolution
- Implement and sustain SPC, MSA, and structured change management processes
- Ensure all processes and documentation meet regulatory and internal standards
Continuous Improvement
- Lead structured problem solving using 8D, DMAIC, A3, and 5-Why methodologies
- Drive plant-wide continuous improvement initiatives tied to SPQDC metrics
- Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Regulatory teams
- Communicate performance, risks, and improvement plans to senior leadership
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop manufacturing engineering, maintenance, and facility support teams
- Build a culture of accountability, urgency, safety, and continuous improvement
- Establish clear expectations, development plans, and performance management routines
- Drive tiered daily management and ensure visibility to key operational metrics
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field
- 8+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including progressive leadership responsibility
- Demonstrated leadership of engineering, maintenance, and cross-functional teams
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and data-driven decision-making capability
Preferred
- 5+ years of experience managing manufacturing engineering teams
- Experience in regulated or life-safety manufacturing environments
- Strong background in:
- Electronics manufacturing / PCB assembly
- Test systems and automation
- System integration across equipment, test platforms, and manufacturing systems
- Electro-mechanical assembly processes
- Facility management in a manufacturing environment
Core Competencies
- Strong leadership and team development capability
- Ownership mindset with a focus on execution and results
- Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills
- Effective cross-functional communication and influence
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and execute multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
- Technical leadership in system integration and manufacturing systems architecture
- Hands-on, floor-driven leadership approach with the ability to engage directly in problem solving and execution
- Ability to manage facility, equipment, and process infrastructure holistically
- High sense of urgency, accountability, and operational discipline
Success Metrics
- Improvement in First Pass Yield (FPY) and overall product quality
- Reduction in equipment downtime and test system failures
- Increased OEE and manufacturing throughput
- Reduction in Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
- Successful execution of NPI, system integration, facility upgrades, and process validation activities
- Sustained compliance with UL, ETL, ISO, and internal quality standards
