The Manufacturing Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the engineering team to develop, optimize, and sustain manufacturing processes for automotive electrical connectors and related components. This role ensures robust process capability, high product quality, operational efficiency, and compliance with automotive industry standards (IATF 16949, PPAP, APQP). The position plays a key role in new product industrialization, automation strategy, and continuous improvement across the plant.
Responsibilities
Process & Manufacturing Engineering Leadership
- Lead and mentor a team of manufacturing/process engineers and technicians.
- Develop, validate, and optimize manufacturing processes for connector molding, stamping, plating, assembly, and testing.
- Own PFMEA, Control Plan, Work Instructions, and Process Flow documentation.
- Drive process capability (Cp/Cpk) improvements across critical operations.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Lead industrialization activities during APQP phases (Prototype to SOP).
- Collaborate with R&D, tooling, quality, and production for successful PPAP submissions.
- Support DfM/DfA reviews to ensure manufacturability of connector components.
Equipment, Tooling & Automation
- Oversee specification, procurement, installation, and validation of equipment (molding machines, terminal stamping dies, assembly automation lines, vision systems, leak testers).
- Implement automation and error‑proofing (poka‑yoke) strategies to enhance quality and productivity.
- Ensure preventive maintenance plans for engineering‑critical equipment.
Continuous Improvement
- Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, SMED, Value Stream Mapping).
- Reduce scrap, improve yields, and increase throughput with data‑driven problem‑solving.
- Drive cost savings through process redesign, cycle time reduction, and material usage optimization.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and customer-specific requirements.
- Support root cause analysis and corrective action activities (8D, DMAIC).
- Monitor and improve process stability using SPC and MSA.
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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.