Manufacturing Engineer
Date: Mar 3, 2026
Location: Waupun, WI, US
Company: 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.
With a product portfolio as expansive as it is innovative, an obsessive commitment to quality and excellence, and a global presence, we’re all about getting stuff done, so we can win.
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
SUMMARY: Manufacturing Engineer designs, improves, and maintains automated systems to optimize production processes, and equipment to ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality product. Will troubleshoot operational issues, apply lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, and manage production workflows from design to implementation. Works with cross functional teams to identify automation opportunities and improve overall operational performance
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Generates, provides, and participates in department specific training needs.
- Comply with legal and other requirements to avoid injury and/or ill health to themselves and others.
- Understands preventative measures and creates a safe and healthy environment by having the ability to identify potential emergency situations and reports all incidents to supervisor/ manager.
- Adhere to the facility’s quality, environmental, health and safety policies that are identified by our Management Systems.
- Design Develop and install automated machinery control systems and software to reduce manual intervention
- Program PLCs, robots, and automation software while enhancing existing workflows for maximum efficiency
- Perform debugging, testing, and, if necessary, re-programming of automated equipment
- Ability to plan and implement projects, this includes the delegation of resources, time management and the project budgets.
- Analyzes and plans work force utilization, space requirements, and workflow, and designs layout of equipment and workspace for maximum efficiency.
- Confers with planning and design staff concerning product design and tooling to ensure efficient production methods.
- Confers with vendors to determine product specifications and arrange for purchase of equipment, materials, or parts, and evaluates products according to specifications and quality standards.
- Estimate production times, staffing requirements, and related costs to provide information for management decisions.
- Confers with management, engineering, and other staff regarding manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, and other considerations to facilitate production processes.
- Applies statistical methods to estimate future manufacturing requirements and potential.
- Analyzes test results on defective parts to aid in determining cause of failure and assists production with trouble shooting and corrective action measures.
- Supports production control, material control, material planning departments in improvement projects relating to scheduling, inventory management and raw material flow and tracking.
- Applies knowledge of functions and processes of various departments and capacities of machines and equipment to resolve process issues.
- Assists in monitoring department equipment (OEE) and interface with Maintenance department to identify maintenance, repair and TPM.
- Consults with the production supervisors on coordination of work orders, giving all safety related items top priority.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Attendance is required.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering, or equivalent work experience in related field
- 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing facility
- Solid mastery of programmable automatons and control systems
- Experience in identifying areas of improvement.
- Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement or Process Improvement
- Green Belt certification or better
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to solve complex technical issues.
- Strong understanding of contemporary problem-solving tools and techniques.
- Ability to think creatively and proactively propose solutions with attention to detail.
- Strong knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database management software.
- Knowledge of data analysis
- Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar software
- Knowledge of automation control systems like PLCs, HMIs and SCADA
- Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and drive change management across teams.
- Ability to build effective working relationships throughout the organization.
- Ability to operate independently within a tight deadline environment.
- High-energy self-starter with a resilient, can-do attitude.
- Experience in a powder metal manufacturing setting preferred.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read to read and write English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to read and interpret documents such as blueprints.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagrams or schedule form.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES;
Able to work independently and with other members of the Engineering Department and co-workers involved in the production process. Must have understanding of computer operations and relevant software. Proficiency in PLC programming, robotic integration, scripting languages, and CAD software.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to extreme heat. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Responsible for working safely, adhering to the facility’s environmental, health and safety policies and procedures and continually monitoring the work environment to identify and communicate to supervisor / manager current or potential environmental, health or safety concerns.
Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities