Principal Manufacturing Engineer

 Req ID 51089 | CSS Lafayette Plant, United States

Company Overview

ZF is a global technology company supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility. ZF allows vehicles to see, think and act. In the four technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility, ZF offers comprehensive product and software solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and enhancing safe mobility.

Position Summary

Principal Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for overseeing and leading the engineering team in planning and executing various manufacturing engineering projects. This role acts as a liaison between departments, divisions, business units, customers, and vendors, and leads the recommendations of capital equipment purchases. The Principal Manufacturing Engineer troubleshoots equipment, selects tooling for machine upgrades, and improves process efficiency. Additionally, this role ensures that products are reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective using standardized procedures, manages cost reduction activities, and supports quality improvement actions.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for leading and supervising several professional engineers in the planning and execution of engineering projects.  Leads engineering team as a liason between departments, divisions, business units, customers, and vendors.
• Lead and participate in manufacturing engineering activities: tooling design and machine run-off, technical support to the production floor, new manufacturing process development and oversight, and new and existing equipment movement and installation
• Lead recommendations of capital equipment purchases, including writing executive summaries, receiving quotes and assisting in selection of acceptable bids
• Troubleshoot equipment, select tooling for machine upgrades, perform retrofitting, improve process efficiency and analyze data from run-offs
• Using standardized procedures, ensure products are reliable, manufacturable and cost effective
• Manage cost reduction activities and support quality improvement actions
• Conduct independent analysis of operation conditions and specifications requested by the customer

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Master's preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience within a manufacturing environment with strong functional/product knowledge and ability to train others required (automotive manufacturing environment preferred)
• Expert-level knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices and procedures within engineering
• Advanced knowledge of product line(s) and engineering design principles
• Extensive experience with engineering change systems
• Strong computer skills
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written, with all levels of the organization and external contacts

What We Offer:

• A supportive collaborative team environment
• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Time
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays (13 fixed holidays)
• Tuition reimbursement for educational advancement
• A strong diversity culture
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

Be part of our ZF team as Principal Manufacturing Engineer and apply now!

Contact

Jordan Taylor

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. 

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. 

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran