Manufacturing Engineer
 Tenneco Inc. | |
 United States, Virginia, Blacksburg | |
| 300 Industrial Park Road (Show on map) | |
 Jan 08, 2026 | |
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Manufacturing Engineer (Design-Focused) Location: Tenneco - Blacksburg, VA Department: Manufacturing / Engineering Reports To: Plant Engineering Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Position Summary The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and improving manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role combines hands-on plant support with engineering design capability, ensuring new and existing products can be manufactured to quality, cost, and delivery requirements. Key Responsibilities Manufacturing & Process Engineering * Design, develop, and improve manufacturing processes, work cells, and production layouts * Provide day-to-day engineering support by troubleshooting process and equipment issues * Develop and maintain standard work, work instructions, and process documentation * Support new product launches, engineering changes, and process validations * Participate in PFMEA, control plans, and process capability studies * Support line balancing, capacity planning, and production readiness Design & Tooling Responsibilities * Design or support the design of fixtures, tooling, gauges, and material handling solutions * Review designs for manufacturability, safety, and efficiency using DFM/DFA principles * Utilize CAD software to create or review drawings and layouts * Collaborate with suppliers on tool design, fabrication, and validation * Support capital equipment specification, installation, and commissioning Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction * Lead or participate in lean manufacturing initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, waste elimination) * Analyze KPIs such as scrap, downtime, OEE, and throughput to drive improvements * Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities * Support root cause analysis and corrective actions Cross-Functional Collaboration * Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and Supply Chain * Support internal and customer audits, trials, and technical reviews * Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related field Experience: 3 to 5 years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a plant environment Design & Technical Skills * Proficiency with CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar) * Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications * Experience with tooling, fixtures, and gauges * Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, and process validation * Familiarity with lean manufacturing methodologies Physical Requirements * Ability to work in an active manufacturing environment with noise and moving machinery * Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the plant for extended periods * Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and platforms * Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally * Ability to wear required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, and steel-toe footwear * Visual acuity sufficient to read drawings, documentation, and computer screens Why Join Tenneco - Blacksburg This role offers the opportunity to apply engineering design skills in a hands-on manufacturing environment and contribute directly to plant performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. | |