Paint & Body Project Engineer 3

About the Role

Lead the planning of productive or non-productive processes and concepts for the industrialization and manufacturing of automobiles according to specified standards in quality, productivity, ergonomics, safety, and economy for a full shop such as Body, Paint, or Assembly Shop. Drive initiatives to optimize processes, ensure compliance with standards, and achieve continuous improvement in all aspects of production. Manage cross-functional projects, define priorities, and implement efficient task management strategies to achieve project goals.

Responsibilities

• Perform advance, primary, and detailed planning for sequences of operations, working cycles, production equipment, and lead times based on new or modified procedures, ergonomic, and operational findings for complete systems (e.g., surface technology, BiW, new component runs).
• Change and acquire new production equipment or perform NISP Programming based on rationalization measures.
• Prepare target/actual comparisons of required capacities, present alternatives, and compile, reconcile, and monitor asset investment/capital expenditure costs, overheads, and production times.
• Check technical documentation and constructional criteria for optimal realizability; amend and adjust as required.
• Coordinate suppliers, specialist departments, and diverse subsystem planning within the area of responsibility.
• Plan the nature and quantity of production equipment with a large number of functions/processing phases; arrange production and procurement, and reconcile constructional design.
• Draw up capacity and utilization plans.
• Develop and reconcile requirements (e.g., technical, IS Tester, and other specifications) for complete systems and services; evaluate contractors and propose for selection.
• Obtain and evaluate offers in terms of technical implementation, value for money, follow-up costs, and supply availability; clarify details regarding technology, construction, and delivery dates.
• Support Procurement on technical issues during negotiations.
• Coordinate and monitor the setup, approval, acceptance, and initial utilization of complete systems; control correct implementation in terms of technical requirements and scheduling.
• Demonstrate process capability, create acceptance reports, define and schedule remediation measures for faults, and track their implementation.
• Perform follow-up approval and acceptance as required; arrange additional changes and improvements and adjust documentation accordingly.
• Optimize and document technical processes for complete systems:
  • Determine production workflows, describe working cycles, sequences of operations, layouts, material flows, production equipment, and tool systems.
  • Calculate and determine standard times (MTM/c-values, IS tester timing for EE) and optimal batch sizes.
  • Document production workflows, including machine setting data, and implement provisions on test procedures.
  • Examine requests for additional time and special credit facilities; submit testing and measurement orders.
• Develop, introduce, and monitor rationalization measures, reductions to production times, and procedural improvements; evaluate results.
• Reconcile, determine, and represent all planning parameters with the specialist departments.
• Understand and apply existing planning standards, guidelines, and auditable documentation; request amendments as required.
• Participate in the development of planning standards/tools (e.g., standard technical specifications, procedural instructions, checklists, process descriptions).
• Manage cross-functional projects:
  • Structure and subdivide project contents; determine individual process steps/packages of measures.
  • Prepare schedules, budgets, and flow charts; reconcile project orders.
  • Manage and monitor project settlement; track and ensure compliance with targets (e.g., quality, cost, scheduling).
  • Propose, reconcile, initiate, and monitor remediation measures as required; report on project status.
• Oversee budget tracking, cost monitoring, and reporting for capex and non-capex investments; ensure cost efficiency and strategic resource allocation.
• Contribute budget recommendations for future projects with direct impact on financial results.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Maintenance Engineering, or a similar field.
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant automotive manufacturing experience, with at least 2 years as a Project Leader or Project Manager in the automotive industry.

Skills

• Proficiency in Project Management, LEAN Manufacturing, and ISO 9001 quality standards.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and control multiple projects for a full plant (e.g., Body Shop, Paint Shop, Assembly Shop, Battery).
• For EE topics: Ability to perform NISP Programming, Dimension 4 training, MoCa, Omnitracker, EE failure analysis, specialized equipment (e.g., Dyno, Wheel alignment, TPMS), IS tester commissioning, and software coding.
• Strong coordination and communication skills to manage project teams and liaise with stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision-making for troubleshooting and new planning.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to report main KPIs related to budget, timeline, and capacity resources for each project.
• Flexibility to act as a deputy to coordinator or area manager.
• PMP certification is a plus.
• Spanish and/or German language skills are a plus.

About the Company

Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (“MBV”) is a plant in Ladson, South Carolina, producing Sprinter vans for the U.S. and Canadian markets under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands. The midsize Mercedes-Benz Metris vans are also reassembled at this location. The company invested $500 million in constructing a new Sprinter production plant and expanding assembly operations. The facility, opened in September 2018, is expected to provide up to 1,300 jobs by the end of the decade and create at least 600 additional jobs through suppliers. Since 2006, over 130,000 Sprinters have been assembled in North Charleston and delivered to destinations in the U.S., making it the second-largest market for Sprinter vans after Germany.

Benefits

• Employee mobile phone options.
• Health initiatives.
• Employee discounts.
• Employee events.
• Parking availability.