Execution Resident Lead Zone Engineer

The Role

Own the Resident Engineering function at the LGR plant, serving as the primary manufacturing engineering liaison between the assembly plant, Execution Zone organization, and cross-functional stakeholders. This role provides strategic and technical leadership for all launch, model year change, and current production activities, ensuring seamless integration of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, facilities, and product requirements.

Lead a team of manufacturing engineers and contractors responsible for developing manufacturing processes, designing and implementing equipment and tooling solutions, managing equipment integration and plant installation, and supporting launch execution through steady-state production. Success in this role requires effective utilization of people, materials, equipment, and facilities to achieve flawless program execution, operational excellence, and production readiness.

Work is performed both in a centralized manufacturing engineering environment and within the assembly plant, requiring a high degree of independent judgment, technical expertise, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Lead identification, escalation, containment, and resolution of launch and current production issues, ensuring timely communication and effective closure plans.

• Serve as the primary manufacturing engineering representative at the plant, coordinating activities between plant operations, execution teams, product engineering, suppliers, quality, maintenance, and leadership.

• Facilitate weekly Resident Engineering reviews with plant and program teams to prioritize issues, review timing, and align support requirements.

• Lead all manufacturing engineering activities for new vehicle programs, model year changes, and current production within assigned areas.

• Define and manage all areas of change, including product requirements, tooling, equipment, workstation layouts, facilities, and manufacturing processes.

• Lead teams of manufacturing engineers, contractors, and suppliers through project execution from concept development through production implementation.

• Manage day-to-day activities and performance of direct and indirect reports, including goal setting, coaching, development planning, and performance management.

• Mentor and develop engineering talent while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Participate in talent selection, succession planning, performance reviews, promotions, and merit recommendations.

• Drive manufacturing readiness and efficient material flow strategies to support production requirements and future program needs.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop standardized processes, tooling strategies, and best practices across departments.

• Support Manufacturing Process Strategy (MPS) studies and cost development activities in partnership with Industrial Engineering and Process teams.

• Develop and manage tooling Statements of Requirements (SORs).

• Lead equipment sourcing, delivery, installation planning, and launch execution activities.

• Provide technical leadership and oversight to suppliers, integrators, and external vendor partners.

• Oversee equipment design, construction, integration, installation, launch validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support vehicle build events and critical launch milestones within the plant.

• Drive rapid response and resolution of launch-related concerns to protect program timing and production throughput.

• Manage project spending, forecasts, and financial performance to ensure alignment with approved budgets.

• Lead deviation request reviews and support decision-making with manufacturing and operations leadership.

• Lead Safety Observation Tours and drive a strong culture of safety throughout project execution and production support activities.

• Facilitate Zone Integration Planning meetings, including installation planning, phasing strategies, pull-ahead opportunities, conveyance integration, and production readiness activities.

• Ensure timely completion of all manufacturing engineering deliverables required to support flawless launch execution and launch team release.

• Support weekend, off-shift, and travel requirements as necessary to support launch activities, production needs, and program milestones.