Sr. Launch Engineer
Dana · Novi, MI
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 4+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 5 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior manufacturing role at Dana (automotive) in Novi, MI. Develop/ maintain standard manufacturing / quality documentation (PFMEA, Control Plan, BOPY, MSA Plan, Functional Safety, etc.) for core processes.
- They ask for
- 4+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, FMEA, Control plans, MSA / Gage R&R
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Michigan: typical posted base $78k–$162k.
Median of the low and high ends of 25 live postings that list pay, out of 77 manufacturing engineer openings in Michigan, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Michigan plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 76 other live manufacturing postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (4+ vs 5+)
Typical $78k–$162k, from 25 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ New product launch 61%
- Tooling 47%
- ✓ Lean 40%
- ✓ Root cause 32%
- Team leadership 29%
- ✓ FMEA 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for MSA / Gage R&R, Stamping, Painting / coating, 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
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Dana → (free) - 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 Novi
No other open roles at this site right now · 1 person we found in manufacturing roles at Dana.
Full description from DanaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Design and implement complex manufacturing processes that improve throughput, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.
- ◆Lead cross-functional projects using lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to achieve measurable performance improvements.
- ◆Collaborate with engineering, quality, and production teams to integrate new products and technologies into existing manufacturing systems.
- ◆Guide and mentor junior engineers and technicians, providing expertise in process design, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.
- ◆Maintain process documentation and ensure all manufacturing activities comply with safety, environmental, and industry regulations.
- ◆Lead design and development of new and innovative standard bill of processes (SBOP) required to produce automotive stamping products.
- ◆Champion a culture of safety and ensure manufacturing solutions comply with all applicable Dana safety standards.
- ◆Develop and deploy equipment and facility strategies to support advanced process development in our Manufacturing Centers globally.
- ◆Leads the development of process technologies required to support long term product technology roadmaps in product and advanced engineering.
- ◆Initiates benchmarking activities to ensure Dana is assessing state-of-the-art technology for all manufacturing methods & processes.
- ◆Develops capital plans for business cases, strategies & action plans for deployment of manufacturing methods for all core and strategic manufacturing processes.
- ◆Lead manufacturing representation during stage-gate reviews for customer programs and advanced development projects, ensuring Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles are incorporated early in product development.
- ◆Participates in the advanced development of manufacturing processes for product deployment.
- ◆Implements and creates smart, flexible manufacturing systems, and works with local engineering teams to deploy in manufacturing equipment purchases.
- ◆Lead process to share and deploy best practices for manufacturing and assembly across global locations and applicable business units.
- ◆Support facilities in development of long-range capital investment plan, as well as review and approve capital investment projects for global manufacturing facilities to ensure adherence to SBOP and SPOE.
- ◆Develop/ maintain standard manufacturing / quality documentation (PFMEA, Control Plan, BOPY, MSA Plan, Functional Safety, etc.) for core processes.
- ◆Support customer program launch activity as required.
- ◆Provide onsite support at global facilities and supplier locations as needed.
- ◆Perform other assigned duties incidental to the occupation.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
- ✓7+ years of experience
- ✓Progressive die stamping, metal forming and coating process experience.
- ✓Multi-layer heat shield manufacturing experience preferred.
- ✓Must understand statistics, as it relates to manufacturing and assembly processes.
- ✓Low and high-volume production experience.
- ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office, statistical analysis tools, and manufacturing engineering software. Experience with CAD systems, PFMEA development, process simulation, and data analytics tools preferred.
- ✓Must be able to travel for extended periods both domestically and internationally.
- ✓Willingness to work extended or irregular hours to ensure that key job
responsibilities
are accomplished.
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 Manufacturing Launch Engineer leads the development, optimization, and strategic improvement of manufacturing processes to ensure high efficiency, quality, and safety in an automotive production environment. This role serves as a technical expert and project leader, driving complex engineering initiatives, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across departments to support new product launches, cost reduction efforts, and operational excellence. The Manufacturing Launch Engineer ensures that all processes align with industry standards, customer requirements, and company goals.
This Senior Engineer is responsible for developing and deploying manufacturing technologies, standard processes, and capital equipment strategies that support Dana's global Sealing business. This role serves as a technical leader for gasket stamping and heat shield manufacturing processes, driving operational excellence, innovation, cost competitiveness, and successful global program launches.
Skills
- •Deep knowledge of manufacturing systems, process design, automation, and industrial engineering principles, especially within automotive environments.
- •Ability to lead root cause analysis, interpret complex data, and implement high-impact solutions.
- •Proven ability to manage large-scale engineering projects.
- •Work effectively with teams across engineering, production, quality, and leadership.
- •Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- •Ability to present technical concepts to diverse audiences and influence decision-making.
- •Strong project management skills.
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