Central Manufacturing Engineer - Automation - Saginaw Operations(2026)
About The Position
At Nexteer, our strength lies in the diversity of our team—each member contributing unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations. We believe this diversity fuels our innovation, broadens our perspectives, and propels our collective growth. For over a century, we’ve been innovators in the automotive industry. Our vision is clear - we are a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our unwavering commitment to Quality, Collaboration, Integrity, and Accountability guides us as we solve motion control challenges for our global customers. If you’re ready to join a dynamic team that drives change and makes a difference, Nexteer welcomes you! We are looking for a highly driven and innovative Central Manufacturing Engineer – Automation to lead the development and deployment of automation solutions across EPS and Driveline operations in Saginaw. This role is ideal for someone with a “can-do” mindset who thrives in fast-paced environments and is passionate about delivering practical, cost-effective automation solutions. Positioned within the Central Manufacturing Engineering team, this role will act as a key integrator between plant teams, suppliers, and engineering disciplines—ensuring automation projects are effectively developed, engineered, and executed from concept through successful plant deployment. This position plays a critical role in advancing automation capabilities across the organization—improving safety, efficiency, and scalability while enabling plants to meet evolving production demands.
Requirements
- 3+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with a strong emphasis on automation
- Demonstrated experience leading automation projects from concept through production deployment
- Strong working knowledge of: Industrial robotics, PLCs, HMIs, and controls systems, Sensors, vision systems, and automation hardware
- Proven ability to manage projects in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Fundamental understanding of assembly processes (fastening, pressing, dispensing)
Nice To Haves
- Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred) for concept development, equipment design, and guarding layouts
- Experience supporting equipment installation and production launches within manufacturing plants
- Willingness to travel and support plant implementation activities, including occasional off-shift or weekend support
- Experience working directly with suppliers, including equipment design reviews and pre-acceptance buy-offs
- Exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies, data integration, and smart manufacturing initiatives
- Background in high-volume, complex manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience managing capital projects and budgets
- Plant operations experience
Responsibilities
- Lead automation projects from concept development through plant implementation and launch
- Develop innovative automation concepts in collaboration with plant manufacturing and automation teams
- Own and manage project timelines, ensuring alignment with plant and program milestones
- Drive capital planning activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and appropriation requests
- Ensure all safety requirements, MQ workflows, and technical documentation are completed and compliant
- Interface with suppliers for automation equipment (robotics, conveyors, material handling systems), including RFQs, design reviews, and equipment validation
- Maintain relationship and forecasting of projects and spending with GSM couterparts
- Design and develop end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) and specify appropriate machine guarding solutions
- Alignment with GSM and plant operations on components and sourcing, preferred brands etc…
- Collaborate with controls engineering teams and global automation teams on system architecture, panel design, and integration requirements and global look across
- Deliver complete, implementation-ready automation packages to plant teams
- Support equipment installation, validation, and launch activities, including on-site troubleshooting as needed
- Champion cost-effective solutions by applying creative, non-traditional approaches to minimize capital investment
- Create and update PFMEA for new automation solutions
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
