Weld Engineer
Dana · Louisville, KY
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 4+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 21 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at Dana (automotive) in Louisville, KY. Develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve welding processes to ensure product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and compliance with customer requirements.
- They ask for
- 4+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, FMEA, Control plans, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Internal audits
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Kentucky: typical posted base $88k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 27 manufacturing engineer openings in Kentucky, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Kentucky plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 26 other live manufacturing postings in Kentucky.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (4+ vs 8+)
Typical $88k–$150k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 78%
- ✓ Lean 37%
- Six Sigma 37%
- ✓ Root cause 33%
- ✓ Automation 33%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FMEA, Internal audits, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Dana
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Dana in Louisville
1 other open role at this site.
- Maintenance Tech Tier II · Reliability · Technician
Full description from DanaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Serve as the technical expert for all welding operations within the facility, including MIG Welding, Friction Welding, and Resistance Welding processes.
Develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve welding processes to ensure product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and compliance with customer requirements.
Lead and complete the annual AIAG CQI-15 Welding System Assessment , including coordinating assessments, identifying gaps, implementing corrective actions, and maintaining compliance with customer and industry standards.
Establish, validate, and maintain welding parameters, control plans, work instructions, and process documentation for all welding operations.
Develop and improve production workflows, manufacturing layouts, and equipment utilization to increase productivity, optimize throughput, and reduce waste.
Provide hands-on technical support to production teams by troubleshooting welding process issues, equipment malfunctions, and quality concerns to minimize downtime and improve performance.
Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste, improve process capability, enhance weld quality, and achieve cost savings.
Analyze welding data, process metrics, and quality trends to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable solutions.
Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Maintenance teams to support new product launches, tooling development, process validation, and production readiness activities.
Lead process qualification and validation activities for new and modified welding equipment, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions for weld-related defects, customer concerns, and internal quality issues.
Ensure all welding and manufacturing processes comply with applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements.
Support operator training and qualification programs to ensure adherence to welding standards, best practices, and process controls.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost reduction objectives.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, process flow diagrams, PFMEAs, control plans, engineering change notices (ECNs), and process specifications.
Evaluate new welding technologies, equipment, and automation opportunities to improve manufacturing performance and support future business growth.
Participate in customer audits, internal audits, and supplier reviews related to welding processes and quality system requirements.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
- ✓3+ years of experience
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving two primary markets – passenger vehicle and commercial truck equipment – Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.
Job Purpose
The Weld Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality production within an automotive environment. This role supports continuous improvement initiatives, resolves production issues, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to introduce new products and technologies. The Weld Engineer ensures that all processes comply with safety, environmental, and industry standards while driving operational excellence.
Skills
- •Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing systems, process engineering, and industrial automation.
- •Ability to analyze data, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions in a dynamic production environment.
- •Capable of managing multiple engineering projects, coordinating resources, and meeting deadlines.
- •Excellent communication skills to work effectively with production, quality, maintenance, and leadership teams.
Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters
Please note that as per Dana policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters were engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Dana will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.