Kelly® Engineering is seeking a Manufacturing Process Engineer for a direct-hire position with a leading automotive plastics manufacturer in Auburn Hills, MI.

Overview
Our client is a global manufacturing organization supporting automotive customers through plastic injection molding, finishing, assembly, decoration, and related manufacturing processes. The North American operation is focused on strengthening process discipline, improving efficiency, and building practical manufacturing systems that support current production needs.

The Manufacturing Process Engineer will support manufacturing improvement initiatives within the plant environment. This role is ideal for someone with strong manufacturing engineering fundamentals, automotive plastics or industrial manufacturing experience, and a practical, hands-on approach to process optimization, troubleshooting, Kaizen activity, and PFMEA-driven improvement work. 

Responsibilities

• Support plant-floor manufacturing process improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, safety, ergonomics, and cost reduction.
  

• Lead and participate in Kaizen, continuous improvement, and process optimization projects across manufacturing operations.
  

• Troubleshoot production process issues and partner with operations, quality, maintenance, engineering, and suppliers to implement practical corrective actions.
  

• Develop, review, and improve manufacturing processes related to plastic injection molding, finishing, assembly, decoration, workstation layout, and related production activities.
  

• Conduct workstation studies, process feasibility reviews, and process validation activities to support current and future production needs.
  

• Run and support PFMEAs, identify process risks, and help implement controls that improve manufacturing consistency and process discipline.
  

• Support mold design integration, tooling/process feasibility, and production readiness activities as needed.
  

• Prepare and maintain process documentation, work instructions, technical reports, and improvement project updates.
  

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and international suppliers to support project timing, launch readiness, and ongoing process performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing, process, or production engineering experience in automotive plastic injection molding, automotive components, or a closely related industrial manufacturing environment.
  

• Hands-on experience supporting manufacturing processes in a plant-floor environment, including troubleshooting, process validation, and operational problem-solving.
  

• Demonstrated continuous improvement experience, including Kaizen activity and implementation of practical manufacturing improvement tools.
  

• Experience running or supporting PFMEAs and using process risk analysis to drive corrective actions and process controls.
  

• Knowledge of finishing, assembly, decoration, workstation studies, ergonomics, safety, and manufacturing process optimization.
  

• Ability to work effectively in an operation that is still developing more mature systems, processes, and improvement practices.
  

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally with production, quality, engineering, maintenance, and supplier teams.
  

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent hands-on experience may be considered.

Nice to Have

• Experience with manufacturing simulation, time-study, or estimation tools such as MTS, MTM, or similar systems.
  

• Familiarity with automotive quality management systems, launch processes, and technical documentation standards.
  

• Project management experience supporting manufacturing improvement, process development, or production launch activities.

What happens next
Once you apply, you’ll proceed to next steps if your skills and experience look like a good fit. Even if this position is not the right match, you’ll remain in the Kelly Engineering network, giving our team of engineering recruiters access to your profile for future opportunities.
 

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