Process Engineer - General Assembly

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Engineer is responsible for analyzing, designing, and improving manufacturing processes to maximize efficiency, quality, safety, and cost performance. The role applies industrial engineering principles to optimize labor, material flow, equipment utilization, and production systems, while supporting new product launches, capacity expansion, and continuous improvement. The position works closely with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and automation teams to make data-based decisions and deliver sustainable operational improvements. The role develops and improves manufacturing processes, conducts time studies and line balancing, applies lean manufacturing principles, and designs plant layouts, workstations, and material flow. It also analyzes production capacity, plans manpower and equipment needs, supports capital investment decisions, performs cost analysis, drives productivity improvements, and monitors operational KPIs. The Process Engineer integrates quality, ergonomics, and safety into process design; supports root cause analysis; participates in Design for Manufacturing/Assembly reviews; validates process capability for launches; and prepares Process FMEAs, work instructions, and standard operating procedures. The working environment is a manufacturing plant, with exposure to moving machinery and industrial noise. Shift work, including days, nights, and weekends, may be required.

Requirements

12+ years of related automotive manufacturing experience with a bachelor's degree, 8 years with a master's degree, or 5 years with a PhD or equivalent experience.
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and ERP systems.
Proven leadership skills and ability to manage cross-functional teams.
Strong knowledge of trim line processes and automotive interior components.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and production planning software.
Must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Automotive OEM experience.
Experience with Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Develop and improve manufacturing processes for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Conduct time studies, work measurement, and line balancing.
Implement lean manufacturing principles, including Kaizen, 5S, and SMED.
Design plant layouts, workstation ergonomics, and material flow.
Optimize in-plant logistics, including kanban systems and material handling.
Ensure space utilization and smooth workflow.
Analyze production capacity and forecast requirements.
Plan manpower, machines, and tooling for new and existing programs.
Support capital investment decisions for equipment.
Perform process cost analysis and recommend improvements.
Lead continuous improvement projects to reduce waste and increase productivity.
Monitor KPIs such as cycle time, OEE, and scrap rates.
Ensure processes comply with quality standards.
Integrate ergonomics and safety into process design.
Support root cause analysis for process-related defects.
Participate in Design for Manufacturing/Assembly reviews.
Support launch readiness by validating process capability.
Prepare Process FMEAs, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.