Engineer Facilities Manager

Epitec is seeking an Engineer Facility Manager for a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier supporting Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and Stellantis in Chicago, IL. This direct hire leadership opportunity is responsible for managing Engineering, Maintenance, and Facilities functions within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing operation.

About the Role

The successful candidate will lead equipment reliability, launch readiness, facility infrastructure, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts while developing high-performing technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead Engineering, Maintenance, and Facilities departments.
• Oversee manufacturing equipment, tooling, production processes, building infrastructure, grounds, utilities, and janitorial services.
• Develop departmental objectives, KPIs, staffing plans, and budgets.
• Drive operational excellence across all technical functions.
• Champion a Safety-First culture.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and corporate safety standards.
• Lead accident prevention and risk reduction initiatives.
• Support emergency preparedness and evacuation compliance.
• Manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Ensure equipment uptime and operational readiness.
• Oversee CMMS utilization, maintenance planning, and performance metrics.
• Maintain technical capabilities required to support production operations.
• Lead Launch Readiness activities and cross-functional coordination.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Controls Engineering, Quality, Production, Materials, Program Management, and Product Engineering.
• Support new program launches, tooling installation, equipment validation, and production readiness.
• Remove barriers and drive accountability for program success.
• Lead Engineering Change Management (ECM) activities.
• Coordinate quoting, costing, implementation, and validation of engineering changes.
• Ensure successful execution of customer and internal engineering modifications.
• Support product and process development initiatives.
• Improve manufacturing feasibility, ergonomics, safety, timing, cost, and quality performance.
• Incorporate lessons learned into future program launches.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Improve equipment reliability, throughput, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Identify and implement best practices and emerging technologies.
• Conduct performance evaluations and development planning.
• Develop engineering and maintenance talent pipelines.
• Foster collaboration, communication, and accountability.
• Ensure proper documentation of all engineering, maintenance, and facilities activities.
• Support plant audits and reporting requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of management experience within automotive manufacturing.
• Experience leading Engineering, Maintenance, and Facilities teams.
• Direct CMMS management experience.
• Strong understanding of:
  • APQP
  • PPAP
  • FMEA
  • MSA
  • SPC
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with:
  • Robotics
  • Conveyors
  • Automated Manufacturing Systems
  • DC Fastening Systems
• Proficiency with:
  • AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Automotive JIT Assembly and Sequencing experience.
• Launch Readiness leadership experience.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• Expertise in:
  • MOST
  • MODAPTS
  • Timer-Pro
• Capital equipment planning and implementation experience.

Pay

$120,000-$130,000 Base with a 12% annual bonus.

Schedule

Fully onsite with up to 20% travel.