Paint Engineer – Automotive Manufacturing

About the role

Paint Project Engineers support process integrity, equipment readiness, material performance, and ongoing improvement initiatives within high-volume automotive paint departments. This position is ideal for engineers who excel in fast-paced, hands-on environments and who can manage technical assignments from root-cause investigation through countermeasure implementation.

Responsibilities

• Engineering & Process Development
• Provide daily process support to maintain vehicle and process integrity
• Lead quality, material, cost, productivity, safety, and equipment improvement initiatives
• Lead new material introduction activities to ensure no negative KPI impact
• Investigate process or equipment concerns using structured problem-solving methodologies
• Interpret and review paint system drawings, paint circulation schematics, and equipment specifications
• Project Management
• Lead and support change management, including equipment installation or refurbishment projects
• Develop project proposals, operating plans, strategies, and ringi documents
• Cook up cross-department investigations and communicate root cause, countermeasures, and solutions to management
• Support kaizen activities initiated by production while protecting key KPIs
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving
• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement countermeasures
• Summarize KPIs and support handover to production teams
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies (PDCA, 5-Why, DMAIC)
• Manufacturing Support
• Support production issue resolution, equipment efficiency improvements, and quality countermeasures
• Participate in advanced cleanliness protocols when working in battery or clean-room environments
• Safety & Compliance
• Ensure all engineering work aligns with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Follow all PPE requirements: steel-toe footwear, safety glasses, protective headwear (and additional PPE as required)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (mechanical, industrial, electrical, manufacturing, chemical, or similar)
• Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment, specifically within paint operations
• 2–8+ years of engineering or project management experience in manufacturing
• Experience supporting capital projects, equipment installation, or production preparation
• Ability to read and interpret 2D/3D drawings, facility layouts, and equipment documentation
• Strong problem-solving mindset using structured methods (PDCA, 5-Why, DMAIC, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Project, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Able to work overtime, weekends, and shutdown periods based on project needs
• Able to travel domestically and internationally, if required (vendor trials, supplier visits, training)
• Must follow all PPE requirements of the site including steel-toe footwear, safety glasses, protective headwear and any additional PPE as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering
• CAD experience (AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar) including ability to read, interpret, and modify drawings
• Experience with PLC programming (Ladder Logic) including troubleshooting and making minor programming changes
• Exposure to equipment installation, commissioning, or paint process upgrades
• Familiarity with North American manufacturing safety standards
• Six Sigma, Lean, or related engineering certifications