Job Overview

The Staff Manufacturing & Process Development Engineer is responsible for leading the development, implementation, optimization, and sustainment of manufacturing processes for manual, semi-automated, and fully automated assembly operations.The role focuses on cable and harness assembly for Industrial and Commercial Transportation BU for Queretaro Site.

This position serves as the primary technical resource for assembly manufacturing technologies within the plant, driving operational excellence through process development, automation, equipment implementation, cost reduction, quality improvement, and productivity enhancement.

The role works closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Product Engineering,NPI, Supply Chain, Procurement, and external equipment suppliers to ensure manufacturing processes are safe, robust, scalable, and cost effective.

Job Requirements

Process Development and Industrialization

• Translate product, customer, and quality requirements into manufacturing process concepts and equipment requirements.
• Lead early design-for-assembly and design-for-manufacturing activities to improve manufacturability, scalability, process robustness, and total manufacturing cost.
• Develop process flows and support alignment among PFMEA, Control Plan, machine specifications, and qualification requirements.
• Estimate capital requirements and manufacturing cost drivers - including cycle time, labor, scrap, material utilization, floor space, and equipment utilization. Create scenarios that scale manufacturing process with demand, and optimize CAPEX spend.
• Plan and execute design-validation, process-validation, and production sample builds Serve as the technical leader for assembly manufacturing processes within the plant.
• Support engineering builds, prototype builds, validation activities, and production launches.
• Mentor manufacturing engineers, technicians, and technical personnel.
• Promote best practices in process development, automation, and problem solving.

Automation and Equipment Development

• Develop lean, flexible, modular, and scalable manufacturing solutions for cable assemblies, harnesses, and associated test processes for cables and harnesses including Data Connectivity, E-Mobility and Low Voltage Harnesses.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate manual and semi-automated assembly operations.
• Prepare equipment specifications, technical requirements, requests for quotation, and qualification plans.
• Conduct technical quote reviews and provide supplier recommendations in collaboration with Procurement and project stakeholders.
• Lead equipment concept and design reviews with internal automation teams, integrators, application-tooling teams, and external suppliers.
• Apply run-at-rate studies, capability analysis, measurement system analysis, correlation studies, and design of experiments to verify process and equipment performance.
• Use 3D CAD to develop or review fixtures, jigs, gauges, tooling, and production-intent process concepts.

Launch and Plant Support

• Coordinate equipment installation, setup, acceptance, qualification, and transfer to the receiving manufacturing location.
• Train plant engineering, maintenance, technician, and production personnel on newly introduced equipment and processes.
• Support equipment debug, process optimization, failure analysis, and production ramp-up.
• Lead structured issue resolution using data-driven problem-solving methods.
• Conduct mass-production trials, capacity analysis, value-stream reviews, and run-at-rate studies to confirm production readiness.
• Conduct process audits and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Establish clear action plans, owners, due dates, and escalation paths for open technical issues.

What your background should look like

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Industrial, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline.
• Ten or more years of experience in process development or manufacturing of Cable and harness assembly.
• Experience leading automation and equipment implementation projects.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes from concept through production release.
• Experience with robotics, machine vision systems, and automated inspection technologies.
• Experience with CREO, SolidWorks, or another 3D CAD platform.
• Knowledge of various cable processing technologies including feeding, cutting, stripping, joining technologies (crimping, welding, soldering etc.), harness assembly, testing.
• Working knowledge of process flow, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSAs, capability analysis, DOEs, run-at-rate, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement principles.
• Strong project-management, organization, negotiation, and technical-communication skills.
• Experience working with equipment suppliers, automation integrators, manufacturing plants, or cross-functional product launch teams.
• Professional proficiency in English and Spanish, including technical discussions and documentation.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%, including occasional extended trips for equipment acceptance, installation, and launch support.

Competencies