Program Manufacturing Engineer Automotive

Program Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Lansing, MI
Job Type: Long-Term Contract to Direct Hire
Schedule: Monday–Friday, with occasional overtime/weekends during critical program activities

Position Overview:

We are seeking a VAA Program Manufacturing Engineer to support a major automotive manufacturing program in Lansing, MI. This role will work closely with automotive suppliers, plant teams, and program leadership to ensure successful program launches and deliverables.

This is not a hands-on production role. The ideal candidate is someone with an automotive engineering or manufacturing background who is technically strong enough to understand assembly processes, tooling, equipment, material flow, and quality—and who excels at project leadership, supplier coordination, communication, and problem-solving.

We are open to candidates with varying levels of experience. Automotive industry experience and an engineering/technical background are the most important qualifications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work directly with VAA suppliers to monitor program progress, launch readiness, and critical deliverables.
• Coordinate with suppliers, plant teams, engineering, quality, and program leadership to resolve issues and keep projects on track.
• Provide technical guidance related to assembly processes, tooling, equipment, material flow, and quality.
• Review supplier plant layouts, assembly processes, tooling, equipment, and sequencing racks.
• Participate in supplier meetings, technical reviews, launch readiness activities, and open-issue reviews.
• Track project milestones, action items, risks, and deliverables.
• Help identify and resolve issues impacting timing, quality, cost, or launch readiness.
• Support PFMEA activities, error-proofing reviews, and manufacturing readiness assessments.
• Work with Quality teams to review supplier quality plans and ensure requirements are met.
• Prepare and present regular program updates to management and cross-functional teams.
• Review engineering changes and communicate their potential impact to the VAA program.
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Support program launches and critical activities that may occasionally require overtime or weekend work.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred. Candidates without a degree may be considered with significant relevant experience.
• Automotive manufacturing experience is required.
• Background in manufacturing, engineering, assembly, production, supplier engineering, or a related technical area.
• Experience leading a project, program, launch, or major manufacturing initiative.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Ability to understand technical information related to tooling, equipment, material flow, quality, and production processes.
• Strong supplier-facing experience and the ability to hold suppliers accountable to deadlines and deliverables.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Comfortable communicating with both technical teams and upper management.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced automotive environment.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Just-In-Time (JIT) assembly or sequencing.
• PFMEA, error-proofing, line balancing, time studies, or throughput analysis.
• Manufacturing launch or new program launch experience.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers.
• Knowledge of GD&T, dimensional analysis, or part data analysis.
• Familiarity with APQP, GVDP, or similar vehicle development processes.
• Experience with VAA modules such as instrument panels, headliners, floor consoles, tire & wheel, engine dress, suspension/axle, CRFM, or front/rear assemblies.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate doesn't necessarily need to have 8–10 years of VAA experience. We are looking for someone who has worked in the automotive industry, understands manufacturing from a technical perspective, has successfully led projects or programs, and can confidently communicate with suppliers and internal leadership.

Someone who can walk into a supplier meeting, understand the technical issues, ask the right questions, drive action items, and communicate progress to management would be a strong fit.

Branex Group is a Minority-owned Technical Staffing firm headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI. We are a Certified Women’s Owned Business through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). We specialize in Engineering, Information Technology, Robotics, Human Resources, and Finance opportunities across the United States.

Branex Group is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We ensure all applicants and employees are considered without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, genetics, or any other protected characteristic by State and Federal laws.

Branex Group offers the following benefits:
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- 401(k)

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.