Process Engineer - Torque Improvement

VSE Consulting Group LLC provides practical, data-driven support in lean manufacturing, quality improvement, launch readiness, production throughput, and volume attainment. We work alongside automotive manufacturers and suppliers to improve plant performance, achieve production and quality targets, develop employee capability, transfer knowledge, and sustain measurable results.

VSE Consulting Group is seeking an early-career Process Engineer – Torque Improvement to support an automotive manufacturing improvement project in the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois area.

This position is designed for an engineer with approximately 2–3 years of manufacturing experience who has worked in an automotive or high-volume assembly environment and wants to continue developing their technical and problem-solving capabilities.

The Process Engineer will work directly with experienced VSE technical leaders and customer plant personnel to identify and resolve fastening and assembly-process issues, analyze production data, improve process controls, and support sustainable improvements in quality, throughput, and equipment performance.

The successful candidate will receive hands-on coaching and technical development while progressively assuming greater responsibility for assigned manufacturing processes and improvement activities.

• Work directly on the manufacturing floor with production, quality, engineering, and maintenance personnel to evaluate torque, fastening, tooling, and assembly processes.
• Analyze torque curves, tool fault data, and controller results to identify trends, abnormalities, and improvement opportunities.
• Perform structured problem solving and root-cause analysis; implement containment and corrective actions to improve manufacturing and quality performance.
• Assist with development and validation of torque parameters, process settings, PFMEA / control plans, reaction plans, and standardized work.
• Participate in plant-floor GEMBAs, process reviews, torque-station audits, and continuous-improvement activities.
• Help verify calibration, preventive maintenance, parameter control, error proofing, and process documentation.
• Maintain action-item lists, data summaries, dashboards, presentations, and improvement documentation.
• Help develop practical work instructions, technical documentation, and training materials.
• Follow all customer policies, procedures, and requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or another related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 2–3 years of manufacturing experience, preferably in automotive assembly or a supplier manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to spend significant time working directly on an active manufacturing floor.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with production employees, engineers, skilled trades, quality personnel, suppliers, and management.

The following experience is beneficial but not required:

• Exposure to fastener, joint, or assembly-process design, including an understanding of how component design and joint conditions can affect fastening performance.
• Exposure to torque-controlled assembly processes or powered fastening equipment.
• Exposure to PFMEA, control plans, SPC, and process audits.

This position provides an opportunity for an early-career engineer to develop specialized skills in automotive manufacturing and torque-process improvement.

The successful candidate will work alongside experienced manufacturing and technical professionals, receive hands-on coaching, and develop their technical skills and knowledge.

VSE Consulting Group LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.