Engineering Manager - Manufacturing
ZF · Lapeer, MI
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at ZF (automotive) in Lapeer, MI. Develop, implement, and maintain manufacturing methods, processes, tooling, procedures, and standard work; guide equipment utilization and manufacturing specifications, participate in design reviews, improve design for manufacturability early in.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, OEE, FMEA, IATF 16949, Robotics, CNC
- 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 $81k–$166k.
Median of the low and high ends of 28 live postings that list pay, out of 83 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 82 other live manufacturing postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $81k–$166k, from 28 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ New product launch 61%
- ✓ Tooling 47%
- ✓ Lean 40%
- ✓ FMEA 33%
- Root cause 30%
- Team leadership 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, IATF 16949, CNC, Union environment, 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 ZF
We found 5 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. 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 Zach → (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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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: ZF in Lapeer
No other open roles at this site right now · 5 people we found in manufacturing roles at ZF.
Full description from ZFAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
at the lowest possible cost.
- ✓Lead, develop, and deploy engineers, tooling technicians, and tool pre-setters; coordinate across departments and serve as the manufacturing–engineering liaison, maintain open-door communication and a union-free, issue-free environment, and fulfill global Center of Competence responsibility for structured parts.
- ✓Drive continuous improvement and cost reduction through new technologies, materials, fixtures, processes, and design improvements; maintain records to evaluate product performance against estimates and track OEE, financial results, TEEP, PE, tooling costs, IPPM, and overtime. Perform other reasonable tasks as required; these
responsibilities
are not exhaustive.
requirements
- ✓Expert-level knowledge of plant operations management and lean principles, processes and techniques, including Lean Management, Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
- ✓Advanced knowledge of business processes and/or technical expertise in product/material market; in-depth knowledge of business strategy and/or strategic planning; business / finance / planning management acumen
- ✓Transformation competence and organizational development skills; excellent problem-solving skills; capable of making sound decisions in a timely manner; results-oriented
- ✓Proficient computer skills with Microsoft Office and Outlook; excellent time management and prioritizing skills (ability to prioritize and schedule daily tasks); ability to travel both domestically and internationally
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Req ID 92339 | Lapeer, United States ZF Chassis Components, LLC
Job Description
Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Engineering Manager – Manufacturing will provide leadership and direction to a diverse technical team, including manufacturing engineers, process engineers, pre-setters, and tooling technicians. This position will play a key role in improving operational performance by identifying cost-saving opportunities, enhancing process control, streamlining production, and expanding capacity. The Engineering Manager will drive continuous improvement initiatives and develop solutions that strengthen manufacturing efficiency, quality, and overall performance throughout the program lifecycle.
What you can look forward to as Engineering Manager- Manufacturing
- •Serve on the plant leadership team in a staff-level position, driving daily operating results and agreed objectives; represent ZF, enhance its reputation, and exercise Level III Signature Authority in accordance with the ZF North America Signature Policy and Group Directive 06/02.
- •Manage budgets, resource allocation, expense reporting, and financial results for manpower, equipment, capital, and tooling; control assembly cost per unit, including labor and production costs, against BP assumptions while meeting customer and company requirements.
- •Lead machining, CNC, assembly, robotics, and controls support activities; troubleshoot machine malfunctions, oversee special production machinery design, and drive production performance, OEE improvement, daily support, change management, and launch support.
- •Develop, implement, and maintain manufacturing methods, processes, tooling, procedures, and standard work; guide equipment utilization and manufacturing specifications, participate in design reviews, improve design for manufacturability early in development, and contribute to FMEA and PFMEA.
- •Manage projects, customer coordination, and technical design and development tasks to meet timing, cost, and quality targets; support quotations for new programs and changes, and prepare monthly and as-needed project status reports and reviews.
- •Ensure part integrity, product quality, compliance with quality processes and procedures, and safe work practices for self and others; ensure manufactured or purchased products meet functional
Your Profile as Engineering Manager- Manufacturing
- •Bachelor’s Degree (Business or Engineering preferred) and 8 – 10+ years of advanced engineering experience
- •5+ years of solid working experience in operations (manufacturing environment; automotive parts industry manufacturing experience desired) and relevant functions
- •2+ years of proven leadership skills and experience, capable of handling employee-related issues and building trust; coaching and mentoring skills; interpersonal and communication skills; ability to empower others
- •Comprehensive knowledge of technical and specialized manufacturing/operations and engineering techniques, policies and procedures; in-depth knowledge of Safety, Quality, Delivery and Production; knowledge of TS 16949 and ISO 14000 system
What we Offer
- •A supportive collaborative team environment
- •Annual Incentive Plan
- •Paid Vacation
- •Personal Time
- •401k Plan
- •Health Care Benefits
- •Paid Holidays
- •A strong diversity culture
- •Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities
Be part of our ZF team as Engineering Manager - Manufacturing and apply now!
Contact
Gabriela Palacio
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.