Production Engineer

Auto bodies manufacturing company in Fontana is seeking a qualify Production Engineer.

Salary: 80K -85K

The Production Engineer will work closely with the Production and Engineering teams to improve manufacturing processes, support production operations, and help ensure products are built efficiently, consistently, and according to established standards.
This position will provide hands-on support to the manufacturing floor, with a focus on mount and installation processes, time studies, Bills of Materials (BOMs), production documentation, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), continuous improvement, and Lean manufacturing principles.
The ideal candidate has practical manufacturing experience, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to work directly with production employees and supervisors to identify opportunities for improvement.
Primary Responsibilities
• Support and improve mount and installation processes to increase efficiency, quality, safety, and consistency.
• Conduct time studies, cycle-time analysis, and process observations to identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce waste.
• Analyze production processes and develop recommendations to improve workflow, labor efficiency, takt time, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Create, update, and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and other production-related engineering documentation.
• Review engineering drawings and production documentation and perform redlining and revisions as needed to reflect manufacturing requirements and process changes.
• Develop, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and other production documentation.
• Work directly with production supervisors and employees to identify manufacturing issues and implement practical solutions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles and tools.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve quality, shorten cycle times, and increase production efficiency.
• Assist with the development and implementation of standardized manufacturing processes.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and process changes to ensure a smooth transition to the production floor.
• Review production processes and documentation for accuracy, consistency, and manufacturability.
• Assist with troubleshooting production issues and determining root causes of process or manufacturing problems.
• Use production data and observations to support process improvement and operational decision-making.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, Quality, and other departments on manufacturing and process improvement projects.
• Maintain accurate engineering and production documentation and ensure revisions are properly communicated to the manufacturing floor.
• Perform other engineering and manufacturing-related duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 4–5 years of manufacturing, production, process, or industrial engineering experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience with mount and installation processes in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience conducting time studies, cycle-time studies, or other manufacturing process analyses.
• Knowledge and experience working with Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Experience creating or updating SOPs, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience with redlining engineering drawings and communicating drawing changes to production.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and develop practical solutions.
• Proficiency with CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, tolerances, and production methods.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with production employees, supervisors, engineers, and management.
• Comfortable working directly on the manufacturing floor and observing production processes.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in sheet metal fabrication, truck body manufacturing, vehicle upfitting, or a similar manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing tools and methodologies, including 5S, process mapping, waste reduction, root-cause analysis, or standard work.
• Experience with MRP or ERP systems.
• Familiarity with manufacturing scheduling, production planning, or shop-floor data.
• Experience with takt time, cycle time, labor standards, or capacity analysis.
• Experience supporting engineering changes and new product introductions.
• Familiarity with automated manufacturing equipment and manufacturing technologies.
Additional Requirements
• Must be able to work effectively in a manufacturing environment and spend time on the production floor.
• Must be able to lift and carry materials up to 25 pounds as needed.
• Occasional travel may be required for project meetings, site visits, or training.
• Position may require extended hours during peak production periods or to support production needs.
Compensation
Salary: $80,000–$85,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and education.