Senior Equipment Engineer
Position Summary
The Senior Equipment Engineer is responsible for the design, development, sourcing, validation, and launch support of production tooling and manufacturing equipment used in high-volume automotive manufacturing operations. This position plays a critical role in supporting new product launches, capacity expansions, and continuous improvement initiatives by ensuring tooling and equipment solutions meet requirements for quality, safety, ergonomics, cost, and production efficiency.
The successful candidate will partner closely with manufacturing, quality, automation, maintenance, and supplier teams to deliver robust, production-ready tooling while continuously improving manufacturing processes throughout the equipment lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
Tooling & Equipment Design
- Design, develop, and implement manufacturing tools, jigs, fixtures, and equipment solutions.
- Ensure tooling and equipment meet product specifications, tolerances, quality standards, and production requirements.
- Collaborate with product and process engineering teams to support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) initiatives.
- Support equipment standardization and manufacturing best practices across operations.
Supplier Management & Equipment Procurement
- Manage tooling and equipment sourcing activities, including RFQs and supplier evaluations.
- Select suppliers based on quality, cost, technical capability, and delivery performance.
- Oversee fabrication, procurement, installation, and commissioning activities.
- Ensure equipment and tooling are delivered on schedule to meet program milestones.
Validation & Production Readiness
- Develop and execute equipment validation plans and production trials.
- Verify equipment performance, capability, and compliance with engineering requirements.
- Perform dimensional and functional evaluations of tooling and production systems.
- Approve equipment and tooling for production following successful validation and testing.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
- Develop preventive and predictive maintenance plans for tooling and production equipment.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and tooling issues to minimize downtime.
- Implement corrective and preventive actions to improve reliability and performance.
- Manage tool life, maintenance schedules, and replacement planning.
Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve cycle time, throughput, and equipment utilization.
- Analyze tooling and equipment costs and recommend cost-reduction initiatives.
- Support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma projects focused on operational excellence.
- Drive continuous improvement efforts related to safety, quality, and productivity.
Program Launch Support
- Participate in new program launch planning and execution activities.
- Ensure equipment and tooling readiness for pilot builds and production ramp-up.
- Coordinate engineering changes and required tooling updates.
- Provide technical support during launch activities and production startup.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Minimum of 12 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, or:
- 8 years of experience with a Master's degree, or
- 5 years of experience with a PhD.
- Experience supporting automated manufacturing and production equipment in a high-volume environment.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and ERP systems.
- Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience strongly preferred.
- Experience working within Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing environments.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.
- Extensive knowledge of automotive assembly processes, interior systems, trim operations, and manufacturing equipment.
- Excellent problem-solving, project management, communication, and organizational skills.
- Experience with production planning systems and manufacturing performance metrics.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Working Conditions
- Manufacturing plant environment.
- Regular exposure to moving machinery, industrial equipment, and production noise.
- May require support of off-shift operations, including evenings, weekends, or holidays as business needs dictate.
- Ability to walk manufacturing floors and support equipment activities for extended periods.
Compensation
Base Salary Range:
$114,612 - $171,918 annually
Compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, skills, certifications, geographic location, and overall qualifications.
Why Join Us?
Join a growing manufacturing organization where you'll have the opportunity to influence equipment strategy, support advanced manufacturing technologies, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and play a key role in launching innovative products. This position offers significant visibility, technical ownership, and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative engineering environment.
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