Process & HSE Engineer

Cooper-Standard Automotive • Livonia, MI

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Process/HSE (Health, Safety, and Environmental) Engineer reports directly to the Plant Manager. This position serves a dual purpose: providing technical manufacturing and process engineering support to the Operations team and supporting the entire facility by ensuring compliance with HSE legal requirements and Cooper Standard policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or a related field
• Five (5) plus years of process engineering and HSE experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing techniques, preferably in automotive or automotive‑related manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of machine principles, including hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical systems, and electrical controls.
• Ability to read and interpret customer product drawings.
• Knowledge of industrial engineering techniques, including time studies and cellular manufacturing.
• Knowledge of national and local HSE laws and regulations, HSE systems, metrics, KPIs, and statistical tools.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification required (company‑sponsored during onboarding if not currently certified).
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively at all organizational levels.
• Ability to influence others without direct authority.
• Demonstrated ability to drive and sustain a strong plant safety and performance culture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and deliver sustainable results.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Study, analyze, and implement improvements to manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and cost performance.
• Implement engineering change requests (ECRs).
• Serve as an operational liaison for non‑compliance issues and participate in 8‑D problem‑solving teams.
• Support the preventive maintenance program.
• Reduce manufacturing costs through continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Conduct time studies and apply industrial engineering techniques.
• Redesign plant layout to support changes in business needs.
• Support ergonomic evaluations and improvements.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the manufacturing floor and daily operations.
• Coordinate facility upgrades through licensed external contractors.
• Interface with outside equipment and service suppliers.
• Review and approve plant capital projects for HSE considerations.
• Prepare budgets and justifications for HSE‑related capital investments.
• Recommend and manage the HSE operating budget.
• Provide technical expertise and ownership to drive continuous improvement in occupational health, safety, and environmental matters.
• Serve as the technical authority for HSE legal requirements and recommend best practices, tools, processes, and initiatives to plant leadership.
• Recommend safety and environmental KPIs and evaluate trends to support data‑driven decision‑making.
• Advise frontline teams on HSE matters and provide tools and training to enable ownership of workplace safety.
• Partner with operations to ensure Job Hazard and Risk Assessments (JHRAs) are completed for routine and non‑routine work and that identified risks are effectively managed.
• Lead applications, amendments, and compliance activities for environmental permits, licenses, and authorizations, including coordination of follow‑up actions and recordkeeping.
• Serve as the primary interface with regulatory authorities, both verbally and in writing.
• Develop and maintain plant HSE procedures, standards, and guidelines, ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly understood and adhered to.
• Maintain HSE management systems and documentation (safety & health, environmental, energy management).
• Ensure required HSE data (incident reports, environmental metrics, etc.) is accurately and timely entered into corporate systems.
• Lead and support cross‑functional incident investigations and develop plant‑wide competency in investigation methodologies.
• Lead the effective “read‑across” of incidents occurring at other locations.
• Act as the local champion for regional or global HSE initiatives.
• Serve as a role model for safe personal practices and demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety.
• Adhere to all corporate and plant rules, regulations, and policies.
• Support teamwork and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support quality system requirements and assist in achieving and maintaining QS‑9000 / IATF‑16949 certification.
• Support environmental management system compliance and assist in achieving and maintaining ISO 14001 certification.
• Perform other duties as required to support plant objectives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level