Manufacturing Production Process Engineer 3

Inside the Role

Provide manufacturing support for Detroit Axle Carrier Assembly operations, with a focus on achieving daily production, quality, and equipment performance targets. Lead daily troubleshooting and Problem Solving Projects (PPS) to identify root causes and permanently resolve chronic issues within highly automated assembly processes.
Responsibilities include shop-floor management, daily production support, and collaboration with Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Operations to reduce downtime and drive continuous improvement. Maintain effective shift-to-shift handoffs to ensure transparency, clear ownership, and continuity of open issues. Take ownership of assigned problems from initial identification through root-cause analysis, corrective action, validation, and sustainable closure.
Develop and utilize digitalization and AI-based tools for data collection, analysis, troubleshooting, and performance improvement. Work directly with line supervisors and the hourly workforce to ensure adherence to standardized work, production requirements, and established performance metrics.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $108,000 – $139,000 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

• Provide manufacturing engineering expertise for Detroit Axle NFD and advanced classic M2/M4 carrier assembly operations, with a strong focus on hands-on troubleshooting and support of highly automated manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Lead structured problem solving and Continuous Improvement initiatives to meet and exceed Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale (SQDCM) objectives.
• Troubleshoot complex equipment and process issues on the shop floor, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and drive problems through verified, sustainable closure.
• Take ownership of chronic downtime, quality, scrap, cycle-time, and equipment performance issues, using data-driven problem-solving methodologies and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering to improve OEE, equipment reliability, process capability, labor efficiency, throughput, and first-time quality.
• Lead Problem Solving Projects (PPS) and other structured improvement activities using root-cause analysis, cause-and-effect analysis, statistical methods, and Lean/Six Sigma principles.
• Develop and execute projects that support company targets for Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale (SQDCM).
• Develop and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs), Control Plans, process documentation, and standardized work to ensure robust manufacturing processes.
• Lead equipment and tooling installation, qualification, and process validation activities using appropriate methods, including Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility (GR&R), process stability and capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and equipment/process matching.
• Drive cost reduction through scrap elimination, cycle-time improvement, labor and machine efficiency, OEE improvement, and optimization of existing manufacturing processes.
• Develop and utilize digitalization, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools to improve data collection, accelerate troubleshooting, identify performance trends, and support fact-based decision making.
• Audit, teach, and reinforce manufacturing standards and best practices, acting as a catalyst for operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop fellow engineers by building technical understanding of existing manufacturing processes and supporting the design, development, and launch of new or improved manufacturing processes.
• Work directly with line supervisors, technical support teams, and the hourly workforce to strengthen process discipline, standardized work, and achievement of production performance targets.

Knowledge You Should Bring:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or Engineering Technology
• 5-7 Years of relevant experience
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, automated equipment, and shop-floor troubleshooting.
• Experience with troubleshooting PLC's at a minimum (Kuka or FANUC) ideally- programming knowledge
• Working knowledge of Bills of Material (BOM), PFMEA, Control Plans, standardized work, and applicable quality management system requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with structured problem solving, root-cause analysis, and Continuous Improvement.
• Experience in manufacturing process development within a cross-functional or integrated team environment.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and project management methodologies.
• Ability to analyze manufacturing data and translate findings into practical corrective actions and sustainable process improvements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Project, or equivalent project-management tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate across hourly, technical, engineering, and leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to promote a positive, collaborative, accountable, and safety-focused working culture.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Strong working knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), GR&R, PFMEA/FMEA, and process capability analysis (Cp/Cpk).
• Experience supporting CNC machining, robotic machining, cold forming/stamping, automated assembly, or other highly automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience diagnosing and improving OEE, downtime, cycle time, scrap, throughput, and quality performance.
• Robot programming experience and the ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications.
• Experience using digital manufacturing, visualization, Power BI, data analytics, or AI tools to identify trends, troubleshoot problems, and improve operational performance.
• Working knowledge of Maximo and PRISMA is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail with demonstrated documentation, record-keeping, organizational, and project follow-through skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and motivate production and technical teams to achieve high levels of performance.

#LI-DC1

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Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Detroit, MI US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Onsite

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• This position is not open for Visa sponsorship or to existing Visa holders
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.