Manufacturing Engineer

About the role

As a Manufacturing Engineer at Tenneco, you will design, improve, and maintain automated systems to optimize production processes and equipment, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality product output. You will troubleshoot operational issues, apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, and manage production workflows from design to implementation. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will identify automation opportunities and enhance overall operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Generate, provide, and participate in department-specific training needs.
• Comply with legal and safety requirements to prevent injury and promote a healthy work environment; report incidents to supervisors.
• Adhere to the facility’s quality, environmental, health, and safety policies as outlined by the Management Systems.
• Design, develop, and install automated machinery control systems and software to reduce manual intervention.
• Program PLCs, robots, and automation software; enhance existing workflows for maximum efficiency.
• Debug, test, and re-program automated equipment as needed.
• Plan and implement projects, including resource delegation, time management, and budget oversight.
• Analyze workforce utilization, space requirements, and workflow; design layouts for maximum efficiency.
• Collaborate with planning and design teams on product design and tooling to ensure efficient production methods.
• Consult with vendors to determine product specifications, evaluate products, and arrange purchases of equipment, materials, or parts.
• Estimate production times, staffing requirements, and related costs to inform management decisions.
• Coordinate with management, engineering, and other staff on manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, and related considerations.
• Apply statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential.
• Analyze test results on defective parts to determine failure causes and assist production with troubleshooting and corrective actions.
• Support production control, material control, and material planning departments in improvement projects related to scheduling, inventory management, and raw material flow.
• Apply knowledge of department functions and equipment capacities to resolve process issues.
• Monitor department equipment (OEE) and interface with the Maintenance department to identify maintenance, repair, and TPM needs.
• Consult with production supervisors to coordinate work orders, prioritizing safety-related items.
• Perform other duties as assigned; regular attendance is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing facility.
• Solid mastery of programmable automatons and control systems.
• Experience identifying areas for improvement in manufacturing processes.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Process Improvement methodologies.
• Green Belt certification or better in Lean/Six Sigma.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to solve complex technical issues.
• Strong understanding of contemporary problem-solving tools and techniques.
• Creative and proactive in proposing solutions with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database management software.
• Knowledge of data analysis and familiarity with AutoCAD or similar software.
• Experience with automation control systems like PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and drive change management across teams.
• Strong relationship-building skills across the organization.
• Ability to work independently under tight deadlines.
• High-energy, self-starter with a resilient, can-do attitude.
• Experience in a powder metal manufacturing setting is preferred.

Skills

• Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, procedure manuals, and blueprints in English.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Effective communication skills for presenting information to groups of customers or employees.
• Proficiency in mathematical concepts, including probability, statistical inference, geometry, trigonometry, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule formats.
• Proficiency in PLC programming, robotic integration, scripting languages, and CAD software.
• Understanding of computer operations and relevant software.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within the Engineering Department and with production teams.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• Frequently required to stand.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Frequently exposed to extreme heat.
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• Responsible for working safely and adhering to the facility’s environmental, health, and safety policies and procedures.
• Continually monitors the work environment to identify and communicate potential safety concerns to supervisors.