Manufacturing Production Process Engineer III

Inside the Role

As a Manufacturing Production Process Engineer, you will develop and optimize Gear Sets Vacuum Carburizing heat treating processes, support daily manufacturing operations, and lead data-driven improvements using Lean and Six Sigma tools. This role provides technical leadership leveraging metallurgical expertise and manufacturing process knowledge to support daily production demands and sustain capacity. You will collaborate cross‑functionally with machining, maintenance, quality, and MetLab teams to diagnose, correct, and improve heat treatment processes to ensure reliable, efficient, and compliant heat treatment operations.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $108,000 – $139,000 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits include annual bonus program; 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA 

• Develop, validate, and sustain heat treatment processes (annealing, quenching, tempering, carburizing, nitriding, vacuum heat treating, etc.) for the efficient/economical mass production of gear sets

• Monitor furnace performance and troubleshoot thermal systems and equipment

• Create and maintain process documentation, including SOPs, work standard instructions (SWI), and control plans

• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for process deviations

• Conduct metallurgical evaluations, hardness testing, and microstructure analysis

• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives including 5S, Kaizen, SMED, and standard work improvements to enhance production efficiency

• Use data tools to improve yield, reduce variation, and enhance cycle times

• Interface with Quality personnel to provide directions on issues related to process quality

• Assist Maintenance in trouble shooting breakdowns and scheduling preventative maintenance

• Designs arrangement of manufacturing equipment to ensure most efficient and productive layout

• Conducts tests throughout all stages of production to determine control over applicable variables and troubleshooting/solving production problems

• Provides guidance to product design engineering on technical specifications that will best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques

• Ensures that production processes and procedures are following regulations

• Uses analytical thought to independently solve complex problems with minimal guidance and identify solutions

• May lead team or department projects or work streams within broader projects

• Acts as an advisor to management and key external stakeholders on job field related projects

• Acts as a resource and guide for colleagues with less experience

• Uses experience to contribute to standards in which others will operate

Knowledge You Should Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgy, mechanical, manufacturing, industrial or electrical engineering or engineering technology relevant

• 6+ years experience supporting heat treatment operations, manufacturing engineering, and production troubleshooting including carburizing, nitriding, quenching, tempering, induction hardening, and metallurgical process control

• 6 + years experience in gear manufacturing processes, and driveline systems used in heavy‑duty truck powertrain applications.

• 6 + years prior experience in Furnace Operations

• 6+ years prior experience within the international manufacturing operations

• 6+ years expertise in quality systems, including ISO 9001 Audit Experience and VDA 6.3 Process Audit Experience

• Extensive experience with Lean Manufacturing tools  

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Master’s degree

• German or Spanish language skills

• Lean Consu