Advanced Manufacturing Engineer - Thermal Comfort Systems

Lear Corporation•Southfield, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the Thermal Comfort Systems team, the Advanced Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for leading manufacturing process development and execution from planning through production launch of FlexAir and Modularity products and systems. This role owns manufacturing strategy, capital equipment development, deployment, and launch execution/optimization while serving as a technical leader and subject-matter expert across cross-functional teams and production plants. Why Join Lear? Advanced Manufacturing Engineering – TCS (FlexAir + Modularity) • Lead complex, high-visibility TCS programs from concept through PPAP. • Influence and innovate manufacturing strategies. • Work closely with product engineering, quality, tooling, and plant operations. • Drive continuous improvement through lean principles and line optimization. • Opportunity to mentor, influence standards, and shape future manufacturing solutions. • Opportunity to work on next-generation thermal comfort technologies with global application.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering.
8-10+ years of advanced manufacturing engineering experience.
Proven experience leading complex or multi-plant launches from feasibility through PPAP.
Strong ability to concept and develop a manufacturing process plan including cycle time analysis, manning, capacity analysis, and financial estimates for equipment and tooling.
Proven exposure to automation, robotics, controls, and machine design to work with integrators on proposed equipment to develop and deploy.
Strong lean manufacturing background.
Expertise in fixture and work-holding design.
Experience with automation, material transfer, material handling, and assembly equipment.
Strong GD&T and metrology knowledge.
Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills.
Willingness to travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience launching seating systems (JIT / foam and trim, structures, and/or mechanisms).
Prior experience in design of automation lines, tooling, fixturing, and/or gauging.
Development of standards for equipment and tooling.
Experience in innovation and creative outside-the-box solutions.
Additional languages.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing engineering activities from feasibility and quoting through production launch and PPAP execution.
Own process concept development including cycle time validation, manning, capacity analysis, and line balancing.
Develop and manage capital budgets, timing plans, and manufacturing deliverables.
Prepare RFQs, evaluate supplier quotations, and support sourcing decisions.
Lead procurement and development of capital equipment with a focus on automation including robotics, pallet and transfer systems, vision and sensing systems, and controls interfaces.
Lead development of tooling aligned with product GD&T with a robust approach to the methodology for locating and clamping, as well as considerations for poka yoke.
Collaborate with product engineering to ensure tolerances, datum schemes, and proper dimensioning support robust design for manufacturing.
Coordinate multi-stage design reviews for equipment, tooling, and gauging.
Develop APQP deliverables including PFMEA, Control Plans, and Process Flow Diagrams to support PPAP execution and launch readiness.
Drive post-launch and post-PPAP process optimization.
Serve as primary manufacturing interface with production plants.