Optimization Engineering Manager; Vehicle Assembly

Optimization Engineering Manager

The Optimization Engineering Manager will serve as the strategic architect of the plant’s technical and operational efficiency. This role is responsible for driving the Maintenance Operating System (MOS) across all production departments, optimizing plant throughput via constraint management, and leading the Industrial Engineering team to ensure lean manpower distribution. The position acts as the central point for capital investment, bridging the gap between local area engineering needs and long-term plant investment strategies.

• System Ownership:
  Lead and coach the Maintenance Operating System (MOS) across Body, Paint, Final Assembly, and Facilities to ensure standardized practices.

• Reliability Strategy:
  Drive Predictive and Preventive Maintenance (PdM/PM) programs to reduce unplanned downtime and improve Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).

• Facilities Management:
  Oversee the plant’s physical infrastructure, utilities, and environmental systems to ensure 100% uptime and regulatory compliance.

• Bottleneck Analysis:
  Serve as the plant lead for the Constraint Management Process, identifying and resolving bottlenecks that limit Jobs Per Hour (JPH).

• OEE Improvement:
  Analyze Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) data to prioritize engineering resources toward the highest‑impact areas.

• Continuous Improvement:
  Lead cross‑functional "War Room" sessions to address systemic throughput issues.

• Team Supervision:
  Lead and mentor the Industrial Engineering (IE) department.

• Labor Optimization:
  Direct manpower allocation and distribution studies to ensure the plant meets labor productivity targets.

• Work Content Standards:
  Oversee the development of standardized work and time studies (e.g., MODAPTS) to balance lines and optimize headcount.

• CAPEX Oversight:
  Responsible for requesting, securing, and coordinating Capital Investment projects. Develop business cases for new equipment and technology.

• Matrix Leadership:
  Provide functional direction to Area ME Managers (Body, Paint, Final). While they report locally to production, you ensure their projects align with plant‑wide capital strategy and engineering standards.

• Launch Readiness:
  Coordinate with the Product Development teams to ensure the facility is prepared for new vehicle programs and model year changes.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial).

• An MBA or Master’s in Engineering Management is preferred.

• Experience:
  
  10+ years of engineering leadership in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.

• Experience in automotive assembly is preferred.

• Technical Knowledge:
  Deep understanding of Maintenance Operating System and Final Assembly logistics.

• Financial Acumen:
  Proven ability to manage multi‑million‑dollar CAPEX budgets and calculate ROI/NPV for engineering projects.

• Systems Expertise:
  Proficiency in Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Constraint Management software, and Lean Manufacturing principles (TPS/Six Sigma).

• Project Management:
  Experience leading large‑scale facility installations or vehicle launches.

• Matrix Influence:
  Ability to lead and align managers who do not have a direct reporting line to you.

• Coaching:
  
  A "servant leader" mentality focused on developing the technical skills of maintenance and IE staff.

• Conflict Resolution:
  Ability to balance the competing needs of different production areas (Body vs. Paint vs. Final) for limited capital and manpower resources.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a change maker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above?

No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical,…