Engineer, Manufacturing; ISO Poly Foam

Technical Center, 6715 South Sprinkle Rd, Portage, Michigan, United States of America

Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. At Summit, we look for growth potential with every hire. We don’t just fill seats, we set people on career paths. We’re always on the lookout for smart people who are committed to continuous improvement, customer service and quality.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Engineer, Manufacturing (ISO Poly Foam)
FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Chief Technical Manager, Manufacturing Coordination

SUMMARY

The ISO Poly Foam Engineer develops, optimizes, and supports polyurethane (ISO-based) foam manufacturing processes used in automotive components. The engineer works closely with product design, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure foam materials meet customer specifications, cost targets, and automotive quality standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Lead the development and implementation of Foam-in-Place (FIP) manufacturing processes for automotive instrument panels.
• Support production of foam components such as:
• Instrument panel topper pads
• Consoles
• Armrest
• Develop and define manufacturing process requirements based on product design, customer specifications, quality standards, and production volumes.
• Specify and develop equipment specifications (RFQs), review supplier proposals, participate in vendor selection, and manage equipment acceptance.
• Coordinate equipment installation, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and production validation activities.
• Troubleshoot foam processing issues, including density variation, voids, shrinkage, poor adhesion, and surface defects.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency, cycle time, and material utilization.
• Work with equipment such as high-pressure foam dispensing and mixing systems.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for quality issues.
• Support APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, DFMEA, and Control Plan activities.
• Develop manufacturing documentation, including process flow diagrams, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, equipment standards, and standard operating procedures.
• Support prototype and pre-production builds while identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Provide hands‑on support during equipment launch, production ramp‑up, and early production to ensure manufacturing readiness.
• Collaborate with Quality, Product Engineering, and suppliers to resolve manufacturing and product issues using structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Develop preventative maintenance requirements and support equipment reliability initiatives.
• Train production personnel on equipment operation, process controls, troubleshooting, and safety procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Provide ongoing technical support after SOP to optimize production performance, implement engineering changes, and support customer launches.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a similar technical discipline OR 5 years of experience in a technical position in an ISO Foam manufacturing environment may be considered.
• Experience specifying and procuring manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation systems.
• Experience supporting manufacturing programs through commissioning, validation, and Start of…