Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer - Plant Vehicle Team (Exterior Ornamentation)Job Description
This role serves as a Plant Vehicle Team (PVT) Manufacturing Engineer embedded in a high-volume vehicle assembly plant, acting as the first line of defense for functional system quality with a strong focus on exterior ornamentation and body systems. You will work side-by-side with the production and body engineering teams to identify, analyze, and resolve quality issues related to exterior trim, fit and finish, and dimensional performance. The position combines hands-on plant-floor problem solving with engineering analysis, ensuring that components and processes meet quality objectives throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
Responsibilities
Work closely with the Body Engineering team to deliver quality objectives, with a primary focus on exterior ornamentation and exterior body systems.
Conduct daily reviews of incoming warranty claims data, analyze customer and dealership comments, and categorize claims accurately for effective follow-up.
Contact dealerships to obtain parts and repair diagnoses and participate in customer callbacks to ensure clear understanding of customer feedback and field issues.
Review returned parts to perform root cause analyses and develop interim containment actions and permanent corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Support the assembly plant with Stop Ships, Stop Builds, quality campaigns, audits, and other quality-related activities to protect customers and production.
Lead engineering trials and implement running changes for the assigned sub-systems, ensuring changes are validated and integrated smoothly into production.
Issue engineering alerts and initiate or pursue authorization of engineering concerns to enable product changes that support quality and durability objectives.
Engage technical experts and cross-functional team members to drive issue resolution and develop robust corrective actions that improve product quality.
Create and deliver clear presentations for upper management, vehicle quality reviews, and engineering leadership, summarizing issues, analyses, and action plans.
Apply a systems engineering approach to problem solving, including structured root cause identification, containment planning, and permanent corrective action development.
Collaborate daily with manufacturing operations, including plant supervisors, quality teams, skilled trades, and other engineers, to resolve in-plant issues.
Participate in GEMBA walks, vehicle inspections, dimensional checks, and in-plant trials to validate process capability and product quality on the line.
Use GD&T principles, stack-up analysis, and dimensional inspection data to diagnose and correct exterior fit, flushness, and gap issues.
Document findings, actions, and results using standard engineering and quality tools, including Microsoft Office and plant-specific systems.
Manage multiple parallel issues in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing work based on customer impact, production needs, and safety and quality considerations.
Essential Skills
At least 1 year of experience in an automotive manufacturing environment.
At least 1 year of experience working with exterior systems, including exteriors, fit and finish, and GD&T.
Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
Hands-on manufacturing engineering or quality engineering experience in a plant environment.
Experience with exterior body and exterior trim components, including ornamentation, flushness, gap and flush, and dimensional inspection.
Proficiency with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and the ability to interpret and apply it to real-world issues.
Experience with process engineering and stack-up analysis for exterior components and assemblies.
Experience using gage R&R and other measurement system evaluation techniques.
Demonstrated technical problem-solving skills, including root cause identification, containment actions, and permanent corrective actions.
Ability to apply a systems engineering approach to structured problem solving.
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional plant and engineering teams.
Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to communicate technical issues and solutions to various levels of management.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools for documentation, analysis, and presentations.
Proven success working in a fast-paced, challenging manufacturing environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in manufacturing engineering and quality engineering within an automotive assembly plant.
Deep understanding of exterior ornamentation, exterior body systems, and related quality requirements.
Familiarity with Ford warranty systems such as ECB, BSAQ, and GSAR.
Experience leading engineering trials and implementing running changes in production.
Experience issuing engineering alerts and driving product and process changes through formal concern management systems.
Ability to synthesize field data, warranty claims, and plant findings into clear action plans.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills to manage multiple issues and launches simultaneously.
Comfort working directly with dealerships and customers to clarify issues and ensure accurate problem definition.
Capability to create clear, concise, and visually effective reports and presentations for leadership reviews.
Work Environment
This position is fully on-site in a high-volume automotive assembly plant and is embedded within both the plant floor and associated engineering and quality offices. The standard work schedule is approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with most team members typically arriving around 6:30 a.m.; there is no regular second or third shift support required. The environment requires frequent presence on the production floor, including participation in GEMBA walks, vehicle inspections, dimensional checks, and in-plant trials, alongside plant supervisors, quality teams, skilled trades, and engineering peers. Workload and pace intensify during major and minor vehicle launches, requiring flexibility, strong prioritization, and the ability to manage multiple issues under tight production timelines. The role uses standard office technologies, including Microsoft Office, as well as plant-specific measurement tools, gages, and inspection equipment to support dimensional and quality analysis. Attire is typical for an automotive manufacturing setting, combining office-appropriate clothing with any required plant-floor safety gear such as safety shoes, eye protection, and other personal protective equipment as specified by plant policies.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Wayne, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $42.30 - $46.53/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Wayne,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
