Group Leader, Trim & Final, Manufacturing Engineering
Date: Sep 29, 2026
Location: Lafayette, IN, US, 47905
Company: Subaru
Group Leader - Manufacturing Engineering
Trim & Final Manufacturing Engineering Department
Summary
The Group Leader, Manufacturing Engineering provides first-level leadership and establishes the day-to-day goals and objectives for a team of manufacturing engineers and/or other SIA Associates. These teams are responsible for the development and optimization of production processes and equipment to achieve the safety, quality, output, and cost goals of the organization. This role applies engineering principles and analytical techniques to establish and continuously improve manufacturing processes, products, work standards, and methods.
Outline of duties:
- Supervises and assist staff in daily, weekly, and annual duties and responsibilities while ensuring quality on-time implementation within budget
- Ensures engineering activities are feasible and performance standards are met according to specifications
- Leads and support projects, technology development, and section planning
- Interacts with other engineering departments, supporting and developing cooperation between departments
- Collaborates with outside contractors, suppliers, and equipment manufacturers to develop best solutions to current issues and new model activities.
- Assesses cost effectiveness and feasibility of manufacturing processes
- Participates in continuous improvement by identifying new opportunities to improve processes, procedures, and increase efficiencies
- Communicates manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, or other information to facilitate production processes
- Leads business process audits to ensure that process indicators are being properly tracked and maintained
- Leads improvement plans to validate production processes to achieve department & plant targets for both new model and current production
- Organizes and leads cross-functional teams to recommend and countermeasure plant-wide issues
- Leads and manages vendor project activities
- Assists with the development and control of project master schedules and budget management
- Develops and utilize reports to support data-driven decision making
- Drives Kaizen activity, applies statistical and other improvement tools
- Provides continuous coaching and feedback to a team of manufacturing engineering Associates to develop team, improve performance, and workmanship.
- Assist in the completion of new model development activities, from concept to launch. Including coordination of activities with SBR members.
- Collaborate with other sections to promote energy management and environmental initiatives.
- Lead SIA New Vehicle Model development activity from Concept to Implementation on the Vehicle Assembly Line and mentor engineers through new model development process
- Lead team of engineers responsible for:
- Analyzing Process Efficiency & Implement Improvements
- Interpreting drawings for impact to SIA Trim Production Line
- Evaluating Vehicle Components for Ease of Installation
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associates Degree in technical field: Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing
- or certificate and / or relevant work experience in an automotive environment
- Work Experience: 5+ years in a manufacturing environment
- Computer Experience: MS Excel, MS Word
- Excellent Written and Oral Communication Skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Proven Leadership Ability
- Experience in a Leadership Role, preferably directing engineers or leading multiple groups for project completion.
- Ability to manage multiple projects / tasks simultaneously.
- Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Ability
- Project Management Skills - From concept to implementation including schedule and budget management.
- Proven "People Skills" and ability to work with multiple departments on projects.
- Ability to Read, understand & interpret technical vehicle parts drawings.
- Ability to Travel Overseas (Japan) & Domestic
- Ability to work off-shift / weekends / OT as required to support project work.
Desired Qualifications:
- BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering
- Computer: Catia, MS Project, AutoCAD
- Work Experience: Experience in an Automotive Manufacturing environment
- Experience with Model Development / Implementation of New Products or Product changes to a Manufacturing Process
- Experience evaluating new parts or components and their effects on an existing process (work impact, ease / difficulty of installation.)
- Background, Training or Experience with Root Cause Analysis methods
- Analyze Process Set-Up for efficiency, develop & implement Process Improvement / Kaizens
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce.
Nearest Major Market: Lafayette