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Piston Automotive

Automotive manufacturing and engineering solutions

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing EngineeringPosted on Nov 5
Full-timeAuburn Hills, MI, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • At least 7 years of experience in automotive component assembly systems, including body, trim, chassis, powertrain, or interior; 10 years is ideal.
  • Support cross-functional implementation of advanced robotic technologies.
  • Strong working knowledge of manual and automated assembly systems and technologies, including mechanical and control systems.
  • Strong knowledge of JIT, SPD, ILVS, and batch manufacturing systems, including broadcast analysis from customer trigger through customer installation.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial safety standards and requirements.
  • Ability to analyze labor efficiencies, capital investments, and historical data to calculate product cost.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, AutoCAD LT, and miscellaneous CAD viewers.
  • Corporate employees must be able to travel as required to support new launches, engineering changes, or production-related activities, typically no more than 1–2 weeks at a time and an estimated 6–12 weeks annually.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, coordinate, and implement assigned work.
  • Develop and track capital investment budgets for assigned projects.
  • Track, manage, and communicate capital equipment timing plans and open issues to the program team.
  • Develop requests for quotation and equipment specifications for capital and tooling requirements, including contract services, before start of production.
  • Serve as the main interface with machining, automation, and capital equipment vendors.
  • Develop production processes and provide final approvals, including work-cell layouts, ergonomic workstation design, and line balancing.
  • Develop prototype and production process documentation through start of production plus 90 days, including process flow, cycle-time analysis, process failure mode and effects analysis, and work instructions.
  • Program torque control systems and develop joints; select error-proofing and mistake-proofing devices.
  • Develop initial plant-floor layouts and production parts approval process, including material flow and storage.
  • Procure and install line-side material presentation and handling devices.
  • Transfer equipment and process documentation to the production plant before start of production, including original equipment manufacturer documentation such as manuals, bills of materials, drawings, recommended spare parts, and recommended preventive maintenance.
  • Coordinate initial training for new equipment or process changes.
  • Review module assembly drawings and computer-aided design models for manufacturability, internally and with customers, as required or requested.
  • Manage site preparation during project launches.
  • Determine cost and timing impacts of engineering changes affecting assembly processes, space requirements, capital investments in equipment, packaging and facilities, and direct labor.
  • Gather baseline program information with Program Management and Business Development to supply statements of work, bills of materials, and initial program timing.
  • Support the Engineering Cost Estimator by supplying quoted assumptions for assembly processes, space requirements, capital and tooling investments, and direct and indirect labor.
  • Support Purchasing in evaluating new suppliers, products, and technologies.
  • Provide equipment and capital selection guidance to the Purchasing Department.
  • Provide mechanical engineering expertise to lead the design and development of assembly systems, production tooling, and packaging.
  • Support engineering communications internally and with customers, including technical presentations, design reviews, capacity analysis, and feasibility studies.
  • Work with internal and customer program teams to develop and launch products into production.
  • Support internal and customer program meetings as required or requested.
  • Drive lean concepts, including 5S, Kanban, visual factory, and total productive maintenance, throughout the organization.
  • Implement process improvements to improve overall efficiencies, including automation.
  • Benchmark processes and equipment across the industry and incorporate findings into company standards.
  • Solve and resolve issues at all sites as directed or required, and support the team during crisis management.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

About the Company

Piston Automotive

Automotive manufacturing and engineering solutions

Piston Group operates as a private investment platform that builds, owns, and grows world-class manufacturing and design companies. Its automotive arm, Piston Automotive, designs and fabricates automotive components at its manufacturing facilities, using engineering and lean, highly skilled production processes to deliver engineered parts and systems. Products move from design and tooling through precision manufacturing and assembly to meet customer specs, with a focus on reliability, quality, and value creation. What sets Piston Group apart is its model: it combines long-term investor backing (since 1996) with hands-on management of multiple manufacturing brands (including Irvin Products and Detroit Thermal Systems) and a culture of employee empowerment to improve operations and drive customer value. The company’s goal is to create lasting value by building and scaling manufacturing and design businesses that solve real customer needs and improve performance for its partners.

Company size
201-500
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
Redford Charter Township, Michigan
Founded
1995

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