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Manufacturing Engineer

Piston Group · Southfield, MI

Apply on Piston Group ↗
Level
Engineer
Team
Manufacturing
Experience asked
7+ years
Industry
Automotive
Posted
Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level manufacturing role at Piston Group (automotive) in Southfield, MI.

They ask for
7+ years
Tools it names
Lean, 5S, TPM, Kanban, FMEA, Robotics
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

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 79 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 78 other live manufacturing postings in Michigan.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $78k–$162k, from 25 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (7+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ New product launch 62%
  • ✓ Tooling 48%
  • ✓ Lean 42%
  • Root cause 32%
  • ✓ FMEA 30%
  • Team leadership 28%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for 5S, TPM, Kanban, Time studies, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 7+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Piston Group

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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: Piston Group in Southfield

1 other open role at this site.

Manufacturing Engineer at Piston Group in other locations

This opening uses the same posting as the one in Auburn Hills, MI. Piston Group lists this title in 3 places. Pick the plant you can get to.

Full description from Piston GroupAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of assigned
  • ◆Develop and track capital investment budgets for assigned projects.
  • ◆Tracks, manages and communicates the capital equipment timing plan and open issues to the program team.
  • ◆Responsible for development of all RFQ’s and Equipment Specifications for Capital and Tooling Requirements, including all contract services, prior to SOP.
  • ◆Main interface with machining, automation and capital equipment vendors.
  • ◆Responsible for all production processes development / and final approvals including work cell layout, ergonomic workstation design, and line balancing.
  • ◆Responsible for development of Prototype and Production Process Documentation through SOP +90 days. This includes Process Flow, Cycle Time Analysis, PFMEA and Work Instructions.
  • ◆Responsible for programming torque control systems and joint development. Selection of error & mistake proofing devices.
  • ◆Responsible for initial plant floor layout & PFEP, including material flow and storage.
  • ◆Responsible for procurement and installation of all line side material presentation and handling devices.
  • ◆Responsible to transfer all equipment and process documentation to the Production Plant prior to SOP. This includes all OEM Equipment Documentation (electronic and hard copies of Manuals, BOM, Drawings, recommended spare parts and recommended PM’s).
  • ◆Responsible for initial training coordination for new equipment or process changes.
  • ◆Responsible for reviewing module assembly drawings & CAD Models for manufacturability (both internally and with the Customer) as required and/or requested.
  • ◆Responsible for all site preparation during the launch phase of projects.
  • ◆Determining cost and timing impacts for engineering changes that affect the assembly process, square footage requirements, capital investments (equipment, packaging and facilities) and direct labor.
  • ◆Gathers the base line program information with Program Management / Business Development to supply statement of work, bill of materials and initial program timing.
  • ◆Supports Engineering Cost Estimator to supply quoted assumptions for the assembly process, square footage requirements, capital / tooling investments and direct / indirect labor.
  • ◆Supports Purchasing in evaluation of new suppliers, products and technologies to help maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
  • ◆Provide guidance in equipment and capital selection to the Purchasing Dept.
  • ◆Provide mechanical engineering expertise to lead design and development of the assembly systems, production tooling and packaging.
  • ◆Supports all engineering related communication internally and with the Customer; including technical presentation, design reviews, capacity analysis, and feasibility studies.
  • ◆Works with the program team (internally and with the customers) to develop and launch products into production.
  • ◆Supports program meetings (both internally and with the Customer) as required and/or requested.
  • ◆Drive lean concepts (5S, Kanban, Visual Factory, TPM etc.) throughout the organization.
  • ◆Implement process improvements to improve overall efficiencies, including automation.
  • ◆Benchmarking processes and equipment throughout the industry and incorporating into Piston Standards.
  • ◆Responsible for problem solving and resolution of issues at all sites as directed / or required. Supports Team during crisis management.
  • ◆Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • ✓Strong understanding of assembly

requirements

for all Automotive Component Systems; Body, Trim, Chassis, Powertrain, Interior. At least 7 years of experience. (Ideally 10 years of experience).

  • ✓Supports cross functional implementation of advanced robotic technologies.
  • ✓Strong working knowledge of Manual and Automated Assembly Systems and Technologies, including both mechanical and control systems.
  • ✓Strong knowledge in JIT, SPD, ILVS and Batch manufacturing systems. Including broadcast analysis from customer trigger through customer installation.
  • ✓Strong Knowledge of Industrial Safety Standards and requirements.
  • ✓Ability to analyze current business labor efficiencies, capital investments and other historical data to calculate product cost.
  • ✓Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • ✓Computer literacy and proficiency are required, must have advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Power Point, AutoCAD LT and misc. CAD viewers.
  • ✓Self-motivator who works with minimal direction, makes decisions independently, and is able to motivate others to complete the task at hand.
  • ✓Corporate employees must be able to travel as required to support new launch, engineering change or production related activities (typically no more than 1-2 wks. at a time / estimated 6-12 wks. annually).

Piston Automotive, part of the Piston Grou

Show full description ↓

Overview

Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for creating, documenting, developing, and implementing the processes and procedures used to assemble the company’s product. Involvement will range from initial project sourcing all the way through SOP +90 days, or as required for corporate employees or launch through EOP plant employees. Both may be required to support implementation of engineering changes for current production products.

Piston Automotive wasn’t just founded to make things. It was founded to make things better. And that begins with building better teams solely dedicated to achieving excellence at every level of execution through a combination of experience, expertise, and a deep seeded passion for what we do. Our assemblies consistently set the standard because our people consistently raise the bar.

Why Piston Automotive?

Competitive Wages, Paid Holidays & Vacation, Medical & Rx Plans, Dental & Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Life & Disability Coverage, 401K with Company Match, Tuition Reimbursement , Vehicle and Product Discounts

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