Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Assembly

Montaplast of North America is seeking an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Assembly to estimate, develop, and launch assembly processes, automation, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). Based in Frankfort, Kentucky, with global project responsibilities, this role translates customer RFQs, engineering specifications, and customer-specific requirements into feasible manufacturing concepts and documented project estimates, then leads equipment development through production launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical review of customer requests for quotation (RFQs), engineering specifications, and customer-specific requirements to determine required capital expenditure (CAPEX) and tooling and define project scope, feasibility, assumptions, and risks.
• Develop project estimates covering assembly equipment, automation, EOAT, engineering effort, installation, validation, and launch. Estimate cycle times, labor, capacity, and timing to support customer quotations and investment decisions.
• Develop equipment specifications and handling concepts; use value stream analysis and process simulation to optimize layouts, material flow, staffing, and capacity.
• Lead projects from concept through design reviews, installation, and production handover. Prepare investment justifications and track approved budgets, schedules, risks, and scope changes.
• Coordinate technical work with equipment builders and internal teams; lead trials, acceptance testing, and production readiness activities to meet safety, quality, and performance targets.
• Improve process capability and equipment reliability; establish production documentation, training, and standards, and use actual project results to improve future estimates.

Required Qualifications

• A degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant education and hands-on experience.
• Five or more years of relevant manufacturing engineering, automation, or equipment launch experience, including project estimation and responsibility from concept through production.
• Knowledge of assembly equipment, automation, and EOAT; ability to interpret customer requirements, engineering specifications, drawings, tolerances, and 3D models.
• Ability to develop and explain technical cost estimates, document assumptions, and analyze production data, capacity, and cycle time; strong project management and communication skills.
• Experience working in a global manufacturing environment and collaborating with international engineering teams, suppliers, or customers is required.

Preferred experience: Automotive plastics manufacturing; advanced product quality planning (APQP), process failure mode and effects analysis (PFMEA), Lean methods, and capital investment analysis. Experience overseeing equipment builds and production launches in low-cost countries is highly desirable.

This Frankfort, Kentucky-based role supports projects in and/or originating from Germany, China, and other global locations, working with international engineering teams, customers, and equipment builders. Business travel of 25–50% is required, including domestic and international travel. The role includes hands-on work in production areas.