Job Title: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering ManagerJob DescriptionThis role provides day-to-day administrative and technical leadership for a team of professional manufacturing engineers and technicians within the manufacturing engineering and program launch organization. The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager oversees key engineering projects, ensures effective integration with other departments, and drives process excellence, capacity planning, capital expenditure management, and continuous improvement across the plant. This position plays a critical role in benchmarking and standardizing manufacturing processes, supporting new business and program launches, and ensuring compliance with divisional specifications, safety standards, and customer requirements.Responsibilities
- Provide first-level daily leadership to a team of manufacturing engineers and technicians, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in line with divisional standards.
- Benchmark manufacturing processes with other sites and implement plans to close performance gaps and standardize best practices.
- Manage and lead capital expenditure (capex) requirements for the plant, ensuring local budgets align with divisional requirements and financial targets.
- Plan, track, and report capex spending, clearly communicating status, phasing, and any variances to stakeholders.
- Work closely with purchasing to ensure all equipment and spare parts meet divisional specifications, safety standards, and business needs.
- Ensure all systems related to manufacturing engineering are current, effective, and aligned with organizational requirements and business objectives.
- Maintain core process compliance for key site processes such as hardening, welding, assembly, and other critical operations.
- Lead business process excellence initiatives to improve systems, processes, and overall operational performance.
- Consolidate all OGS (operational and general services) budgets and track each area for compliance, cost control, and continuous improvement.
- Provide a consolidated plant-level view of demand and capacity for a five-year horizon, ensuring clear visibility of actual versus target and defining improvement actions where needed.
- Compare customer data to internal standards and processes, managing exceptions and ensuring alignment with customer expectations.
- Respond to divisional requirements for capacity analysis, investment and capex needs, and other ad hoc engineering or operational requests.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Commercial teams to ensure Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) and Master Production Scheduling (MPS) are effectively executed for capacity management.
- Lead the facilities maintenance team to support plant needs and ensure alignment with industrialization and manufacturing strategies.
- Lead the implementation of industrial solutions to improve productivity, efficiency, and performance metrics (including pp2 and related KPIs).
- Support new business acquisition (NBA) by providing accurate process cost per part, investment estimates, and tooling cost requirements.
- Establish standard processes and cycle times at Start of Production (SOP), ensuring processes meet target performance and quality requirements at launch.
- Deliver all manufacturing systems (MS) deliverables at SOP, including operator work instructions, PFMEAs, stage drawings, PPM targets, and related documentation.
- Lead process-related Continuous Improvement Management System (CIMS) projects, driving structured problem solving and sustainable improvements.
- Provide input into Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) activities to reduce cost and improve product and process value.
- Support and lead problem-solving activities, using structured methodologies to address root causes and prevent recurrence.
- Actively encourage all engineers to identify, propose, and implement improvement opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Manage the engineering team to ensure all work follows divisional processes, procedures, and standards, and that documentation and compliance requirements are met.
- Develop and support a diverse and inclusive engineering team aligned with the organizations values and philosophy.
- Motivate the team by setting challenging yet achievable goals, providing feedback, and recognizing performance.
- Communicate business strategy and regularly update the team on progress, priorities, and the roadmap to operational excellence.
- Create a culture of engagement where all associates have the tools and resources they need to perform effectively and contribute ideas for improvement.
- Lead plant-level NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) activities, including vehicle correlation, rig test limits, and ongoing monitoring.
- Ensure plant-level ECU (Electronic Control Unit) software related to assembly and test production meets internal and customer requirements.
- Ensure prototype parts are produced on time and to specification to support current and future programs and launches.
- Provide launch support for automotive programs, ensuring manufacturing readiness and robust process capability.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support manufacturing engineering, program launch, and plant performance.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Engineering or a closely related field.
- 8+ years of experience in a Manufacturing Engineering leadership role, preferably within the automotive industry.
- Proven experience in manufacturing engineering, including process development, industrialization, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated experience with capex planning, tracking, and project management over capex investments.
- Strong experienece in automotive manufacturing and launch support for new or existing programs.
- Hands-on experience with APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning), PPAP (Production Part Approval Process), PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), and control plans.
- Knowledge of automation, robotics, PLCs, and Industry 4.0 technologies and their application in manufacturing environments.
- Experience in manufacturing and process improvement, including implementation of industrial solutions and productivity enhancements.
- Ability to lead and manage engineering teams, including setting goals, managing performance, and ensuring adherence to standards and procedures.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to perform capacity analysis, demand/capacity planning, and long-term forecasting.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Supply Chain, Commercial, Purchasing, and Maintenance.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey business strategy, technical requirements, and project status to various stakeholders.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to approximately 25% as required.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience leading business process excellence or continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with CIMS (Continuous Improvement Management Systems) or similar structured improvement frameworks.
- Experience with VA/VE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering) to optimize cost and value in products and processes.
- Exposure to NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) testing, analysis, and correlation activities at the plant level.
- Experience working with ECU software requirements in assembly and test environments.
- Experience in facilities maintenance leadership, particularly in alignment with industrialization strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to build engaged, inclusive teams and foster a culture of associate involvement and continuous improvement.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to consolidate budgets, track compliance, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Comfort working in a highly technical, automotive-focused environment with complex processes and customer requirements.
Work EnvironmentThe role is based in a manufacturing plant environment within an automotive-focused operation, working closely with production, maintenance, supply chain, and commercial teams. The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Manager operates in a setting that combines office-based activities, such as planning, analysis, and documentation, with frequent presence on the shop floor to oversee processes, equipment, and industrial solutions. The environment includes exposure to automated equipment, robotics, PLC-controlled systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies used for assembly, welding, hardening, testing, and related manufacturing operations. The position supports program launches, capacity planning, and continuous improvement initiatives, requiring regular collaboration across departments and occasional travel of up to approximately 25% to other sites or customer locations. Hours typically follow standard business schedules, with additional time as needed to support launches, critical projects, or plant prioriti Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Newton, NC. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $115000.00 - $155000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Annual bonus eligibility 401(k) match details PTO and vacation structure Tuition reimbursement Relocation package specifics Health insurance premiums and deductibles Flexible work arrangements (where applicable) Employee stock purchase or incentive programs Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Newton, NC. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Newton,NC.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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