Engineer, Manufacturing (ISO Poly Foam)

Summit Polymers, Inc.•Portage, MI

26d•Onsite

About The Position

The ISO Poly Foam Engineer develops, optimizes, and supports polyurethane (ISO-based) foam manufacturing processes used in automotive components. The engineer works closely with product design, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure foam materials meet customer specifications, cost targets, and automotive quality standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline OR 5 years of experience in a technical position in an ISO Foam manufacturing environment may be considered.
Experience specifying and procuring manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
Experience supporting manufacturing programs through commissioning, validation, and Start of Production (SOP).
Experience in polyurethane foam manufacturing and automotive interiors.
Ability to read engineering drawings, CAD models, GD&T, and technical specifications.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office software suite – Excel, Word, PowerPoint
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Independent thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Flexible and able to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
Agreement to complete all post-hire required training
A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 26 on the cognitive portion).

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of Foam-in-Place (FIP) manufacturing processes for automotive instrument panels.
Support production of foam components such as: Instrument panel topper pads, Consoles, Armrest, Door Panels.
Develop and define manufacturing process requirements based on product design, customer specifications, quality standards, and production volumes.
Specify and develop equipment specifications (RFQs), review supplier proposals, participate in vendor selection, and manage equipment acceptance.
Coordinate equipment installation, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and production validation activities.
Troubleshoot foam processing issues, including density variation, voids, shrinkage, poor adhesion, and surface defects.
Improve manufacturing efficiency, cycle time, and material utilization.
Work with equipment such as high-pressure foam dispensing and mixing systems.
Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for quality issues.
Support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, DFMEA, and Control Plan activities.
Develop manufacturing documentation, including process flow diagrams, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, equipment standards, and standard operating procedures.
Support prototype and pre-production builds while identifying and implementing process improvements.
Provide hands-on support during equipment launch, production ramp-up, and early production to ensure manufacturing readiness.
Collaborate with Quality, Product Engineering, and suppliers to resolve manufacturing and product issues using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Develop preventative maintenance requirements and support equipment reliability initiatives.
Train production personnel on equipment operation, process controls, troubleshooting, and safety procedures.
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
Provide ongoing technical support after SOP to optimize production performance, implement engineering changes, and support customer launches.