Principal Manufacturing Engineer

 Client is seeking a principal Manufacturing Engineer with 12+ years of experience to design, develop, and bring into production a new manufacturing line .

Sets the manufacturing strategy across multiple programs or product families. Defines the playbook that junior engineers follow for future NPI. Shapes capex investment and make-vs-buy decisions at the portfolio level.

The principal Engineer should have operated at an organizational level — defining manufacturing strategy, building teams, establishing methodologies and standards that others follow. Influences product architecture and investment decisions. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining the full manufacturing process from concept through series production, working closely with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver a robust, scalable, and quality-driven production process & system. This role requires a candidate with a strong background in high-volume manufacturing within a automotive or equivalent industrial environment, bringing the rigor, discipline, and process-driven mindset that such environments demand.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with demonstrated experience designing manufacturing processes from scratch (NPI / New Product Introduction).

Proven background in high-volume manufacturing within a Tier 1 automotive environment or equivalent industrial setting (aerospace, medical devices, consumer electronics at scale).

Proven track record in bringing a product from prototype to series production.

Strong command of manufacturing fundamentals: process flow diagrams (PFD), time studies, line balancing, cycle-time analysis, DfM, P-FMEA, GD&T, and tolerance analysis.

Experience specifying tooling, fixtures, and equipment for electromechanical or robotic assemblies, including writing URS documents and managing vendor FAT/SAT.

Demonstrated proficiency with industrial KPIs: OEE, MTTR, MTBF, throughput, yield, first-pass yield, and scrap rate.

Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and digital manufacturing principles.

Experience with Lean manufacturing tools and continuous improvement methodologies (Kaizen, value stream mapping, Poka-Yoke, 5S).

Proficiency in structured problem-solving methods: 8D, A3, 5 Whys, Ishikawa.

Familiarity with stage-gate industrialization frameworks (EVT/DVT/PVT or equivalent).

Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent) and process simulation tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

Experience in robotics or electromechanical product manufacturing (motors, actuators, sensors, cable harnesses, end-effectors).

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Experience implementing or configuring MES platforms (SAP ME, Siemens Opcenter, Ignition, or equivalent).

Exposure to digital twin or simulation-driven process design tools.

IATF 16949 or ISO 13485 auditing experience.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer(EEO)