Senior Production Engineering Manager - J0050627

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Production Engineers supporting machining, plastic molding, assembly, and test operations.
• Build a strong engineering culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Oversee manufacturing processes, including precision aluminum and steel machining, plastic injection molding, mechanical assembly, ECU programming, and functional testing.
• Ensure robust process design, line balancing, error-proofing (poka-yoke), and automation to support high-volume, high-quality production.
• Support manufacturability for aluminum housings, gear mechanisms, pump mechanisms, and electronic control integration.
• Lead production readiness for new product launches including process validation, PFMEA, control plans, run-at-rate, and capacity confirmation.
• Partner with Product Design Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Program Management to transition products from development to mass production.
• Review and approve engineering changes related to process, tooling, and equipment.
• Develop and manage capital budgets for new equipment, automation, and line expansions.
• Lead capital projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and handover to operations.
• Collaborate with equipment suppliers and integrators for assembly, testing, and traceability systems.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and problem-solving initiatives to improve productivity, quality, and throughput.
• Lead root-cause analysis for production losses, quality escapes, and customer concerns related to steering systems.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities without compromising safety or quality.
• Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Safety teams to achieve plant KPIs.
• Support customer audits, internal audits, and technical reviews related to power steering manufacturing.
• Act as the primary engineering escalation point for complex production issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing or production engineering within the automotive or Tier-1 supplier industry.
• 5+ years of people-management experience leading engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of high-volume manufacturing processes for electromechanical and mechanical products.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, PFMEA, Control Plans, and IATF 16949 requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration.
• Experience with Hydraulic Pumps, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), steer-by-wire, or advanced steering systems for automobiles.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with automated assembly, end-of-line functional testing, and traceability systems.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making ability.
• Data-driven problem solving.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on technical mindset with strategic perspective.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manage Production Engineering Associates, including hiring, training, counseling and discipline, performance appraisal, and assigning/prioritizing all work for subordinates.