Industrial Manufacturing Project EngineerPosition OverviewThe Industrial Manufacturing Project Engineer serves as a technical and operational leader within a large-scale manufacturing facility supporting the LPSD and Fuel Systems groups, fully on-site in Pontiac, IL. This role operates as an individual contributor without direct reports but requires strong informal leadership, coordination across functions, and ownership of key operational outcomes, including designing and improving material flow, balancing production systems, and ensuring efficient pull-through of work across the value stream.
Responsibilities in this role include:- Design, analyze, and optimize end-to-end material and process flows across the manufacturing value stream.
- Drive throughput improvements by reducing WIP, minimizing lead time, and eliminating bottlenecks.
- Lead value stream mapping initiatives and implement future-state flow improvements.
- Monitor and improve key performance metrics, including throughput, on-time delivery, lead time, and capacity utilization.
- Lead digital transformation initiatives, including production KPI digitization and integration of autonomous robotics.
- Develop and optimize staffing models, labor utilization, and workforce planning aligned to production demand.
- Act as a lead engineer, influencing cross-functional teams to achieve flow, productivity, and performance goals.
- Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving methods (A3, DMAIC) to eliminate waste.
- Partner with production, supply chain, quality, and maintenance teams to align materials, staffing, and execution with operational priorities.
Team Structure & Work EnvironmentThis role works alongside a team of four other industrial engineers and interacts regularly with production, finance, manufacturing, and maintenance functions. The position is based in a production facility with multiple manufacturing machines in operation.
RequirementsEducation & Experience- 8-10 years of relevant experience.
- Engineering degree required.
Top Skills- Capacity Planning & Management - Manufacturing: knowledge of tools, approaches, and practices for determining production demand and the ability to manage resources needed to provide satisfactory levels of service.
- Project Management: knowledge of effective project management strategies and tactics; ability to plan, organize, monitor, and control projects, ensuring efficient utilization of technical and administrative resources to achieve project objectives.
- Lean Manufacturing: knowledge of the philosophy, principles, and implementation approaches of lean manufacturing; ability to integrate and implement lean manufacturing philosophy into existing production and management processes.
- Judgment & Decision Making: knowledge of the decision-making process; ability to carefully evaluate the impact of emerging business situations and choose the best path forward, communicating actions and activities that maximize organizational performance.
- Problem Solving: knowledge of approaches, tools, and techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational, or process problems; ability to apply problem-solving skills appropriately to diverse situations.
Additional Technical Skills- Power Apps experience for workflow automation.
- Data analytics skills with a focus on actionable insights.
- Working knowledge of AI tools.
- Leadership or team guidance experience.
- MODAPTS certification.
- CAD experience.
Soft Skills- Negotiation.
- Ability to work effectively amid ambiguity.
Benefits- Dental insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid Holidays
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Salary expectations: 83,000 - 88,000 per annual
