A Day In The LifeThe Process Engineer drives the implementation of continuous improvement and lean principles across Vehicle Processing Center (VPC )and/or Parts Distribution Centers (PDC). This role is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining production processes while fostering collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety. The Process Engineer provides data-driven insights and recommendations to leadership, supports strategic decisions involving process redesigns, equipment, and tooling, and stays current on emerging technologies to help shape the site's long-term vision and value stream roadmap.
As a Process Engineer you will:
- Implement and sustain continuous improvement principles and lean methodologies throughout the VPC and/or PDC.
- Develop, document, and control production processes, facility layouts, vehicle flow, and process standards to ensure efficient operations.
- Design and maintain job instructions, accessory installation times, and standard data charts to support operational consistency and accuracy.
- Develop and implement strategic plans, process documentation, and work instructions aligned with production and quality objectives.
- Coordinate with cross-functional departments to ensure new accessories and process changes are compatible with high-volume manufacturing requirements.
- Conduct process analyses and present improvement opportunities, data insights, and recommendations to the Director of Operations and leadership team.
- Maintain open communication with line and staff members to monitor progress on key initiatives and promote engagement in process improvement.
- Stay informed on emerging technologies and manufacturing trends to support innovation and long-term value stream development.
- Train VPC associates in continuous improvement tools, concepts, and practices to build a culture of operational excellence.
- Ensure compliance with company policies related to data privacy by responsibly receiving, transmitting, and handling consumer and customer data.
What We Need From You- Bachelor's Degree Industrial Engineering or other Engineering disciplines from an accredited four-year college or university and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 4-6 years relevant experience in Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering, or operational improvement, including hands-on engineering analysis and implementation of process improvements.
- Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements with measurable results in productivity, quality, safety, or cost.
- Hands-on experience with time studies, work measurement, labor standards, standard work, process design, line balancing, and workflow/layout optimization.
- Demonstrated experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies to analyze data, identify and validate root causes, and implement effective countermeasures. Experience with tools such as A3, 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, PFMEA, or DMAIC.
- Ability to independently manage assigned engineering projects, coordinate cross-functional activities, communicate progress and risks, and ensure implementation and follow-through.
- Develop, optimize, document, and sustain VPC operational processes, including facility layouts, material and vehicle flow, standard data charts, and work instructions.
- Support strategic improvement initiatives through engineering analysis, process design, capacity modeling, and implementation of practical solutions.
- Collaborate effectively with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and other stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, quality, and safety.
- Coordinate new accessory launches and process changes to ensure compatibility with high-volume vehicle processing and accessory installation.
- Implement continuous improvement principles and support training VPC associates on Lean concepts and practices.
- Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in vehicle processing, material handling, automation, and process improvement.
- Practical application of Lean methodologies, including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 5S, waste elimination, and process standardization (preferred).
- Experience leading small to medium-sized improvement projects and demonstrated potential for broader engineering and cross-functional project leadership (preferred).
- SAP Applications experience (preferred)
- Valid in-state driver's license (required)
Physical and Environmental RequirementsThe physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the associate is required on a daily basis to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a stationary position for a significant amount of the work day and frequently access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The associate is regularly required to move about the office and around the corporate campus. The associate must frequently move up to 10 pounds and occasionally move up to 25 pounds.
Travel Requirements10% Minimal travel is required for this position (up to 10% of the time and on a domestic basis).
