Position Title: Machining Engineer

Location: Piedmont, South Carolina

Professional Direct Hire

Description: Production Engineer – Machining

HTI is seeking a Production Engineer – Machining for JTEKT North America in Piedmont, SC. JTEKT is a global leader in automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools and a proud member of the Toyota Group.

The Piedmont facility has undergone a major expansion, adding more than 120 new machines and automation systems to support its automotive manufacturing operations. This position will take ownership of machining process performance across JTEKT’s Constant Velocity Joint (CVJ) machining lines, with a strong focus on CNC turning, grinding, tooling, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys being on the manufacturing floor, solving machining problems, improving processes, and working directly with production equipment.

What You’ll Do

• Own machining process performance for CNC turning, grinding, and related machining operations

• Troubleshoot machining-related downtime, scrap, tooling, dimensional, and quality issues

• Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective actions

• Design, develop, test, and improve tooling, fixtures, and gauging

• Analyze machining and process data to improve quality, cycle time, productivity, and cost

• Perform and support SPC, Cpk/Ppk capability studies, PFMEA, APQP, and PPAP activities

• Develop and maintain machining process standards, work instructions, and SOPs

• Support the commissioning and launch of new or rebuilt machining equipment

• Evaluate and implement engineering and process changes

• Support capital equipment projects and spare-parts strategies for assigned machining lines

• Work with technicians and production personnel to strengthen floor-level machining troubleshooting capabilities

• Support 5S, safety, ergonomics, and continuous improvement initiatives

What You Need

• 3+ years of machining, manufacturing, or process engineering experience in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment

• Hands-on experience with CNC machining processes, ideally turning, grinding, or similar precision machining operations

• Experience troubleshooting CNC machining processes, tooling, and equipment

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, and part drawings

• Understanding of statistical process control and process capability, including SPC and Cpk/Ppk

• Experience with structured problem-solving tools such as 5-Why, 8D, PFMEA, or similar methodologies

• Experience designing or improving fixtures, tooling, and gauging

• Working knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems

• Basic understanding of PLC/HMI-controlled manufacturing equipment

• Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills

• Proficiency with engineering and business software such as Excel, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline or equivalent hands-on machining/process engineering experience

Preferred Experience

• Automotive manufacturing experience

• CVJ, driveline, shaft, bearing, or other precision-machined component experience

• CNC turning and/or grinding expertise

• High-volume automated manufacturing experience

• New equipment installation, commissioning, or capital project experience

• Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System (TPS), or Six Sigma exposure

• Experience working within an IATF 16949 manufacturing environment

Additional Details

This position works closely with manufacturing equipment and production teams on the plant floor. Candidates should be comfortable accessing equipment, working in an industrial environment, and providing occasional overtime or weekend support when equipment or production issues require it.

The manufacturing environment requires appropriate PPE, including steel-toed footwear and safety glasses. The role may periodically require lifting up to 40 pounds and physical activity associated with accessing and troubleshooting manufacturing equipment.

#INDPRO

Production Engineer – Machining

HTI is seeking a Production Engineer – Machining for JTEKT North America in Piedmont, SC. JTEKT is a global leader in automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools and a proud member of the Toyota Group.

The Piedmont facility has undergone a major expansion, adding more than 120 new machines and automation systems to support its automotive manufacturing operations. This position will take ownership of machining process performance across JTEKT’s Constant Velocity Joint (CVJ) machining lines, with a strong focus on CNC turning, grinding, tooling, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys being on the manufacturing floor, solving machining problems, improving processes, and working directly with production equipment.

What You’ll Do

• Own machining process performance for CNC turning, grinding, and related machining operations

• Troubleshoot machining-related downtime, scrap, tooling, dimensional, and quality issues

• Lead structured root-cause analysis and corrective actions

• Design, develop, test, and improve tooling, fixtures, and gauging

• Analyze machining and process data to improve quality, cycle time, productivity, and cost

• Perform and support SPC, Cpk/Ppk capability studies, PFMEA, APQP, and PPAP activities

• Develop and maintain machining process standards, work instructions, and SOPs

• Support the commissioning and launch of new or rebuilt machining equipment

• Evaluate and implement engineering and process changes

• Support capital equipment projects and spare-parts strategies for assigned machining lines

• Work with technicians and production personnel to strengthen floor-level machining troubleshooting capabilities

• Support 5S, safety, ergonomics, and continuous improvement initiatives

What You Need

• 3+ years of machining, manufacturing, or process engineering experience in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment

• Hands-on experience with CNC machining processes, ideally turning, grinding, or similar precision machining operations

• Experience troubleshooting CNC machining processes, tooling, and equipment

• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, and part drawings

• Understanding of statistical process control and process capability, including SPC and Cpk/Ppk

• Experience with structured problem-solving tools such as 5-Why, 8D, PFMEA, or similar methodologies

• Experience designing or improving fixtures, tooling, and gauging

• Working knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems

• Basic understanding of PLC/HMI-controlled manufacturing equipment

• Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills

• Proficiency with engineering and business software such as Excel, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline or equivalent hands-on machining/process engineering experience

Preferred Experience

• Automotive manufacturing experience

• CVJ, driveline, shaft, bearing, or other precision-machined component experience

• CNC turning and/or grinding expertise

• High-volume automated manufacturing experience

• New equipment installation, commissioning, or capital project experience

• Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System (TPS), or Six Sigma exposure

• Experience working within an IATF 16949 manufacturing environment

Additional Details

This position works closely with manufacturing equipment and production teams on the plant floor. Candidates should be comfortable accessing equipment, working in an industrial environment, and providing occasional overtime or weekend support when equipment or production issues require it.

The manufacturing environment requires appropriate PPE, including steel-toed footwear and safety glasses. The role may periodically require lifting up to 40 pounds and physical activity associated with accessing and troubleshooting manufacturing equipment.

#INDPRO