Innovation Project Engineer - Process

Faurecia•Columbus, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Innovation Project Engineer – Process drives the development of advanced manufacturing and automation solutions that turn innovation into scalable, high‑impact industrial reality. Working closely with Product Line Manager and the Innovation Project Engineer – Product, the role ensures product and process concepts mature together. By applying lean manufacturing, automation knowledge, DFMA, and PFMEA, to reduce manufacturing risk and improve industrial performance. The role delivers technically mature, validated process solutions ready for apply to acquisitions and production programs.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering
Minimum 5 years in a commercial or light vehicle product development or project management role
Minimum 3 years in a customer facing role as program manager or commercial/sales experience
Lead cross-functional teams in a highly collaborative environment
Knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes
Knowledge of product development processes
Working Knowledge of marketing, costing, and sale
Strong written and oral communication skills
Project Management Skills
Results oriented & customer focused
Teamwork & collaboration
Strong business acumen

Responsibilities

Translate product line strategy and manufacturing needs into structured, executable process innovation work plans.
Lead hands‑on execution of manufacturing, automation, and process innovation projects from concept to acquisition readiness.
Own process engineering scope, deliverables, and technical progression across assigned innovation & automation projects.
Define and mature innovative manufacturing and automation concepts using data-driven analysis, concept simulation, experimentation to drive decision making.
Lead process concept development, iteration, and convergence to meet performance, cost, quality.
Use measured data, pilots, MVP, and engineering fundamentals to guide process architecture and technology selection.
Identify and develop value‑adding automation and advanced manufacturing solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, flexibility, and total cost of ownership.
Evaluate and integrate equipment concepts, automation technologies, controls strategies, and digital enablers where clear operational benefit exists.
Ensure automation solutions are robust, maintainable, scalable, and aligned with production and operational constraints.
Identify, assess, and mitigate manufacturing and industrial risks through structured application of PFMEA and process risk analysis.
Define and execute process pilots, concept demonstrations / trials, and validation activities to confirm assumptions and reduce uncertainty.
Ensure innovative process solutions achieve appropriate levels of maturity, robustness, and repeatability prior to acquisition targeting or industrial deployment.
Apply Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles to influence and recommend product design improvements that enhance manufacturability, automation potential, and cost efficiency.
Work closely with the Innovation Project Engineer – Product to ensure product and process concepts mature together as an integrated solution.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, operations, and quality to ensure new process buy-in.
Partner with the Product Line Manager to align process innovation priorities with product strategy and business objectives.
Act as the process and manufacturing execution lead within cross‑functional innovation teams, supporting reviews, alignment, and decision making.
Deliver mature, well‑documented process solutions to enable smooth transfer into acquisition phases and downstream customer programs.