IT Professional

Manufacturing Application Solutions Specialist

Implement, support, and enhance manufacturing application solutions including MES, WMS, and related production systems. Provide Level 1 support for mission-critical manufacturing platforms, including occasional after-hours or weekend support during production-impacting incidents. Analyze business and manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, productivity, safety, and system performance. Develop and document functional and technical requirements to support business operations and future system enhancements. Troubleshoot application, interface, and infrastructure issues while coordinating with vendors and internal support teams to drive timely resolutions. Monitor system interfaces, application logs, and error reporting tools to proactively identify and resolve issues. Create and maintain technical documentation, work instructions, and knowledge base articles. Support implementation and deployment activities for new manufacturing technologies and strategic enterprise solutions. Manage ongoing support requests, system administration activities, and maintenance tasks. Support PC and server infrastructure within manufacturing facilities, including backup and recovery administration. Collaborate with infrastructure and operations teams to execute system upgrades, changes, and integrations. Participate in planning and continuous improvement initiatives for regional and global manufacturing systems. Ensure system functionality is thoroughly tested and validated during upgrades and future platform migrations. Deliver exceptional customer support and maintain strong communication with plant personnel, vendors, and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 5–9 years of IT experience, including hands-on experience with manufacturing system implementations.
• Minimum 1–3 years of experience within the automotive manufacturing industry preferred.
• Experience supporting high-availability or production-critical environments.
• Knowledge of manufacturing hardware including barcode scanners, thermal printers, and related shop floor peripherals.
• Experience supporting MES or WMS systems in a manufacturing/shop floor environment.
• Familiarity with PLC communication architecture.
• Understanding of networking fundamentals including LAN/WAN, firewalls, DHCP, DNS, and subnets.
• Scripting and automation experience using PowerShell, Bash, or Python.
• Experience with infrastructure technologies including: Active Directory, Group Policy, Virtualization (VMware/Hyper-V), Backup and recovery solutions (e.g., Veeam).

Preferred Qualifications (Experience Level, Skills, Knowledge):

• Experience working within a global organization or automotive supplier environment.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as C++, Java, or JavaScript.
• Experience with relational databases such as SQL Server and Oracle.
• Experience with Kepware or industrial connectivity platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and customer service skills.

What You'll Bring:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams.
• A proactive mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to evolving business needs.
• Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail with the ability to accurately analyze, troubleshoot, document, and resolve technical issues in fast-paced manufacturing and production environments.

Essential Common Requirements for all Employees:

Business Operating System (BOS): Understand, apply and meet all function-related BOS requirements.

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS): Understand, apply and meet all function-related EHS requirements.

Product Safety: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Product Safety requirements.

Compliance: Understand, apply and meet all function-related Compliance requirements

Information Security: Understand, apply and meet all function-related IT / Information Security and confidentiality of YFAI information requirements.

Must comply with all company policies and procedures.

Employee must have the ability to work additional hours and / or overtime as needed or assigned to complete job duties on time.

Physical Ability Requirements:

Stationary Position (Sitting or Standing): Constantly

Movement (Walking): Constantly

Carry Weight (Lifting up to XX lbs): Occasionally

Communication (Seeing/Talking/Hearing): Constantly

Use Hands/Fingers (Operate computer, printer, phone): Constantly

Language Required and Preferred: Required: English (Fluency with Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Work Environment: Plant Floor, Office Environment Works closely with others, perhaps within a foot of another person Often exposed to distracting sounds and noisy conditions Exposure to hazardous equipment on a daily basis