Industrial Engineer / Innovation Engineer

Industrial / Innovation Agency Engineer

The Industrial / Innovation Agency Engineer is a highly dynamic hybrid role at the Sterling Axle Plant. This position is responsible for driving plant productivity, optimizing labor standards, and managing manufacturing constraints, while simultaneously serving as a key leader on the plantwide Innovation Team. The successful candidate will apply classical Industrial Engineering methodologies (such as time studies, ergonomics, and capacity planning) to evaluate, plan, and deploy advanced manufacturing technologies across the plant's six Innovation Pillars (Digitalization, Data Analytics, Advanced Robotics, AI Vision, 3D Printing, and AGVs/AMRs). Additionally, this role will support an upcoming capacity uplift project, assisting with equipment run-offs and implementation.

Responsibilities

Industrial Engineering & Productivity Optimization (Approx. 40%)

• Labor & Standards: Drive the development, installation, and tracking of direct and indirect labor standards and methods. Track labor metrics (RTOs, off-standards, efficiencies) and help generate presentations to Global IE for labor authorizations.
• Time & Motion Studies: Conduct time and motion studies using MODAPTS and GSPAS/APT systems. Ensure all work processes and changes are accurately documented.
• Constraint & Cycle Time Analysis: Analyze process constraints and conduct equipment cycle time studies. Provide inputs to constraint decks and actively support constraint working meetings and leadership report-outs.
• Ergonomics & Workstation Design: Conduct workstation Job Ergonomics evaluations and support workstation/packaging design reviews.
• Layout & Capacity: Support basic 2D CAD modeling for workstation updates. Maintain capacity planning documents (capacity strategy, capacity statements, volume worksheets) and prepare inputs for the annual budget and headcount maps.

Plantwide Innovation & Pillar Support (Approx. 40%)

• Innovation Strategy Execution: Support Sterling's central Innovation Team in delivering annual corporate innovation objectives. Track and report progress on objectives, action plans, training plans, and versatility sheets.
• Pillar Team Integration: Provide engineering and project management support to the (6) Innovation Pillars: Digitalization, Data Analytics, Advanced Robotics, AI Vision, 3D Printing, and AGVs/AMRs. Attend pillar meetings and help guide projects from the initial idea phase through plant-floor implementation.
• Project Tracking: Assist engineers across the plant in utilizing and updating projects within Client's web-based innovation project tracking software.
• Ideation & Proofs of Concept (PoCs): Facilitate and capture ideas during monthly area ideation sessions (target: 1 per month per area) and support the execution of Proof of Concept projects (target: 2 per area annually).
• Workstation Adoption Surveys: Survey existing plant workstations to evaluate "adoption readiness" for corporate Client Innovation initiatives against quarterly timeline targets.
• Internal Communication & Marketing: Champion innovation successes to internal and external stakeholders via newsletters, social media posts, and the plant floor innovation kiosk. Assist in setting up the plant's new "Product Showroom".

Capacity Uplift, Launch & Collaboration (Approx. 20%)

• Capacity Uplift Project: Support the planning, equipment run-off, and implementation phases of the plant's newly kicked-off capacity uplift project.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Interface with Production Supervision, Central Engineering, Corporate SMEs, and the UAW to resolve concerns and drive change on the floor.
• Benchmarking & Training: Attend Client and industry benchmarking events, workshops, and exhibitions (e.g., Automate Show) to identify and import best practices.

Requirements

• Industrial Engineering Fundamentals: Strong background in labor analysis, time/motion studies, and constraint/productivity analysis.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, track deliverables, and facilitate cross-functional meetings.
• Data & Communication Tools: High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Soft Skills: Self-driven, highly collaborative, capable of balancing shifting priorities, and a strong champion of Client OS behaviors (Excellence, Focus, Collaboration).

Preferred

• Familiarity or certification in MODAPTS.
• Experience with Client Ergonomics analysis tools.
• Experience with GSPAS / APT systems.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for layout drawings.
• A strong interest in or familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies (Robotics, AI, 3D Printing, AGVs, etc.).
• Programming / PowerBI / PowerApps

Education

• High School Diploma / GED
• Bachelor's Degree preferred

Additional Information

• Fully onsite at Sterling Axle Plant.