Manufacturing Engineer – Automotive

Machina Labs•Los Angeles, CA

26d•$120,000 - $135,000

About The Position

Machina Labs is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to support its Automotive department in developing and scaling advanced metal-forming and manufacturing processes for automotive applications. The hands-on role works with engineering and production teams to transition automotive components and assemblies from development and prototype builds into repeatable, production-ready processes. The engineer improves manufacturability, tooling, process flow, quality, and production efficiency, and supports integrating formed metal components into automotive applications. The role involves working directly with hardware and production teams to resolve manufacturing challenges and bring new automotive products and processes into reliable production. Duties may change based on business needs; the listed description is not comprehensive.

Requirements

At least 5 years of Manufacturing or Operations Engineering experience in hands-on production environments; automotive components, metal fabrication, complex assemblies, or advanced manufacturing systems are ideal.
Experience supporting low- to mid-volume production, stabilizing processes, scaling operations, and managing engineering changes such as ECOs and process improvements.
Experience managing BOM structures, including converting EBOMs to MBOMs for manufacturing workflows.
Proficiency designing production fixtures, jigs, and tooling using 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, NX, or similar; experience with simulations and FEA analysis.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment design, and process engineering principles, including Lean Manufacturing and 5S.
Experience developing work instructions, routings, assembly procedures, and process documentation.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems for production planning, work order management, scheduling, and material tracking.
Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD for system layouts, schematics, and integrated mechanical system design.
Strong communication and collaboration skills to work across engineering, production, and leadership teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotic or automated manufacturing cells, incremental sheet forming, or similar advanced manufacturing technologies.
Experience supporting automotive component fabrication, prototype-to-production transitions, or integration of fabricated components into larger automotive assemblies.
Background in precision, low-volume manufacturing, including robotic or automated manufacturing cells, incremental sheet forming, or similar metal-forming technologies.
Additional hands-on experience with automotive fabrication, automotive integration, machining, or general sheet-metal fabrication.

Responsibilities

Support development, validation, and scaling of manufacturing processes for automotive components and assemblies, including robotic metal forming and related fabrication operations.
Manage Bills of Materials, including translating Engineering BOMs (EBOMs) into Manufacturing BOMs (MBOMs) for fabrication, assembly, routing, and material flow.
Design and develop jigs, fixtures, and tooling for fabrication, handling, assembly, and integration; use CAD and engineering analysis to validate designs.
Develop work instructions, assembly procedures, method sheets, and in-process documentation to support repeatability, quality, and process consistency.
Support production planning, including job planning, routing development, and scheduling; use ERP/MRP systems to manage work orders and coordinate production activities.
Improve manufacturing workflows, work-cell layouts, material flow, and throughput with production and facilities teams using Lean Manufacturing and 5S principles.
Estimate manufacturing costs, develop time standards, and recommend tooling or equipment requirements for new or evolving product lines.
Collaborate with automotive engineering and production teams on design for manufacturability, fit and integration considerations, engineering changes, first article inspections, and process improvements.
Troubleshoot fabrication, assembly, dimensional, and process issues with technicians and production teams, and improve manufacturing consistency.
Maintain manufacturing documentation, reporting systems, and operational records to support production and continuous improvement.