Job Description

We are AUTOKINITON

AUTOKINITON delivers operational excellence, high-quality execution, and customer service. We offer 100% vertical integration capabilities such as end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and in-house logistics.

We're proud of our Tier 1 supplier legacy for manufacturing propulsion-agnostic, structural automotive components, and assemblies around the globe.

To help us drive excellence, you'll get to:
• Monitor key manufacturing processes for capacity and demand, while identifying constraints and providing analysis for improvement.
• Work with plants to provide customer required capacity data to prove capacity availability for new work before award.
• Collaborate / communicate with internal stakeholders (sales, estimating, engineering, finance, and operations) to obtain and to ensure current, accurate information is used for planning purposes to meet operational requirements.
• Ensure that the relevant data, statistical analysis, and performance metrics are available to internal stakeholders.
• Process Optimization: Analyze and improve manufacturing processes, focusing on welding automation systems, to enhance efficiency, reduce cycle times, and minimize waste.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to design, integrate, and maintain automated welding systems, ensuring seamless operation and high-quality output.
• Provide key input into the development of departmental strategic goals along with identifying key measurable to support the departmental goals.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities in materials, labor, and processes while maintaining product quality and safety standards.
• Utilize data from production systems (e.g., PLCs, Active plant) to analyze performance metrics, identify bottlenecks, and propose data-driven solutions.
• Apply lean principles, such as 5S, Kaizen, and Six Sigma, to streamline operations and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Work with design, quality, and supply chain teams to support new product launches and ensure manufacturability of automotive parts.
• Lead projects to upgrade existing systems, implement new technologies, and enhance overall plant productivity.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and train production staff on best practices for operating automated welding systems.

This full-time salary-exempt role is a part of our Corporate Engineering team and reports to the Sr. Assembly Manager.

Required experience:

• Bachelor's degree in industrial or manufacturing engineering.
• Five (5) to eight (8) years' experience in a manufacturing environment with experience in a metal's environment preferred, or a combination of degree and experience.
• Specialized knowledge and the ability to train and mentor others in formal problem-solving techniques such as Kaizen, value stream mapping, JIT synchronous, SMED quick die change, etc.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Data Base knowledge.
• Intermittent Excel knowledge.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to plant sites.

Working conditions:
• We'll provide position-specific details including physical and focused efforts, working environment and conditions, and reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Where you'll be:

This position is located at our corporate facility in New Boston, MI, offering many community events, resources, programs, and recreational opportunities for you and your family.

Community features:
• Close to Downtown Ann Arbor, MI
• Willow Metro Park

Why you'll enjoy working here:
• Competitive Wages and Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with Company contribution match, and 14 paid holidays, including a bridge holiday in December.
• Work-Life Balance: Many of our Associates have stayed with us for 25+ years! It takes a good work-life balance to make it that far. We support your personal and professional priorities as they impact your well-being.
• Growth Opportunities: Take your career to the next level through tuition reimbursement programs, on-the-job training, learning management systems, and advancement opportunities from within our organization.
• Learning and Development: We empower all our Associates - from entry-level to senior-level - with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their current roles and beyond at AUTOKINITON.

AUTOKINITON Promotes a dynamic and collaborative work environment for everyone.

AUTOKINITON is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. AUTOKINITON makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.