Snr Manufacturing Engineer
Date: Apr 23, 2026
Location: Grass Lake, MI, US
Company: Tenneco
ABOUT TENNECO
At Tenneco, we don’t follow industry standards; we set them, and we don’t settle for being best-in-class because we hustle to be better than best-in-class. Whether it’s our Core Values–radical candor, simplify, organizational velocity, tenacious execution and win–or our Get Stuff Done (GSD) mindset, we’re determined to become the most trusted partner and best manufacturer and distributor to the transportation industry.
How do we make it happen? Through the Tenneco Way. Fueled by our Core Values, a winning mindset and a relentless commitment to excellence, the Tenneco Way is how we win. It’s what keeps Team Tenneco bold, driven, and unapologetically focused on pushing past limits and redefining success.
Here, you’ll work alongside a team of relentless problem-solvers who are committed to making a tangible impact. If you’re ready to break boundaries, deliver results, and enjoy the ride along the way, you’ll thrive here.
Want to learn more about who we are? Check out our website to discover the Tenneco Way.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This position requires a goal-oriented manufacturing engineer capable of working independently, and as a team leader. The engineer will specialize in final assembly manufacturing, for both new and existing programs. The position is based out of North America (NA) and will lead all final assembly network activity in North America Clean Air (NACA) manufacturing in the Manufacturing Engineering & Technology (MET) group driving improvements in the final assembly manufacturing processes. This role is a core competency team (CCT) leader and will indirectly oversee the regional NACA performance of final assembly production. The position is responsible for process and equipment development of new products, focusing on optimization and waste reduction of current products.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Tenneco may make reasonable accommodations to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.
- Effectively leads indirect reporting individuals
- Utilizes technical expertise to implement / oversee the implementation of cost reduction ideas
- Supports or manages (as assigned) the technical direction & coordination for equipment installations & start-ups
- Justifies and creates supporting documentation for Capital Appropriation Requests (CAR)
- Promotes and monitors the utilization of standard process, equipment, tooling and product
- Implements and ensures proper handshake of process, equipment and tooling into receiving plants utilizing Tenneco launch process
- Lead process optimization along with standardization of equipment and tooling for final assembly products in all Tenneco North America (NA) facilities.
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- Scrap reduction
- Efficiency improvements
- Best practice sharing
- Product consolidation
- Develop a purchase/refurbish equipment and tooling strategy for NA region
- Develop and maintain NA final assembly capacity for existing assets
- Lead monthly reviews with the NA CCT team and drive improvement to the established KPI’s
- NACA technical support for NA Manufacturing Engineering & Technology (MET) final assembly team
- Support for development and feasibility reviews regarding:
- Design of product
- Design of equipment, tooling and manufacturing process
- Process development for final assembly manufacturing
- Participate in new program launches and continuous improvement activities within NACA
- Support customer RFQ process
- Setting up launch processes, tooling and equipment within regional NACA facilities
- Support equipment and tooling runoff at supplier or NA Tenneco facilities
- Optimize process and tooling according to capital and tooling investment
- Support first startup of production
- Support NACA facilities by troubleshooting production issues and driving resolution
- Utilize data to drive decisions, formal 6 sigma training a plus
- Identify and implement manufacturing process improvements (performance, scrap, availability)
- Understand and apply lean manufacturing principles, and general metal fabrication
- Other duties as assigned
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education / Experience:
- Bachelors’ Degree in Engineering or related discipline
- 4+ years of related manufacturing engineering and / or product launch experience
- Global or multi-national business experience strongly preferred
- Previous exhaust system and metal forming experience is a plus (can override years of experience)
Skills:
- Proven planning abilities, including successful execution of such plans
- Strong initiative and the ability to work well in a team environment
- Demonstrated use of a team oriented approach
- Experience developing a new process for a new product, including experience creating process flow diagrams, PFMEA’s, standard work and control plans
- Experience working with equipment and tooling suppliers and following progress through launch
- Proficiency with PC applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and flow-charting software
- Knowledge of manufacturing process development, fixture design, tooling / gage design, and equipment design
Required Specialized Skills/Knowledge
- Expert in exhaust industry tooling and manufacturing methods including final assembly exhaust welding. Expert of exhaust manufacturing best practices and standards in North America
- Ability to develop new suppliers to meet equipment and tooling expectations as well as timing
- Trained and efficient using GD&T
- Can apply GD&T and correlating to fixture and gage designs
- Develop SOW’s, RFQ’s, conducting gage correlations, gage R&R’s, runoff’s and installation to Tenneco standards
- Ability to conduct detailed design reviews of equipment and tooling
Travel:
- Ability to travel in support of job function 25-40% (NACA facilities, suppliers etc.). International travel required
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- Often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance and to stoop kneel, crouch or crawl
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate
We don’t want average. We want exceptional. We want someone who’s hungry to build, unafraid to challenge, and bold enough to lead with empathy, speed, and precision. Sound like you? Let us know.
Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.