Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.
We are pleased to share that we have a career opportunity for an Experienced Manufacturing Engineer as a strategic part of the Blue Bird Production Engineering Team. With a focus on the Three Blue Bird Foundational Objectives: Take Care of Employees: Delight Customers & Dealers: Deliver Profitable Growth. This role will drive functional excellence and continuous improvement through technical leadership, project ownership, and mentoring.
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Director, Manufacturing Engineering, this role is responsible for optimizing production manufacturing processes through the leadership of complex, cross-functional improvements that impact safety, quality, labor, throughput and delivery. This position is expected to operate with some level of autonomy as a project owner, leading projects from problem definition through sustainment. The role supports technical direction, and mentors early-career engineers to elevate overall team capability.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the Manufacturing Engineering line technical support for an assigned production area or value stream; accountable for sustained performance results
- Provide necessary tooling, routers, labor standards, raw material structure, process instructions, and technical support for the timely implementation of engineering changes
- Accountable for achieving goals and objectives for the Manufacturing Engineering group and Operations organization.
- Utilize PLM (Product Life-Cycle Manager) system to review design changes, complete manufacturing impact assessments, and drive implementation execution (timing, risk, labor, tooling, documentation)
- Independently identify, prioritize, and lead a pipeline of improvements with measurable KPI impact (scrap/rework reduction, cycle time, labor hours, downtime, safety risk reduction)
- Develop business cases, write AFEs (CAPEX) for funding procurement
- Develop process changes/improvements using SPC, PFMEA, and control plans
- Utilize root cause analysis methodology to solve manufacturing issues
- Ensure work is compliant within an ISO 9000 quality system; produce documentation acceptable to the internal customer
- Document, communicate, and report project progress and KPI outcomes to plant leadership; present clear recommendations
- Perform other related duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Balanced, dynamic, methodical approach; good work ethic, integrity, and professional conduct
- Must demonstrate positive attitude; foster teamwork; responsive to customer/Manufacturing issues
- Demonstrated ability to operate as an area owner with minimal direction; strong accountability for results and sustainment
- Effective written and verbal communication skills; administrative and financial skills, excellent problem solver; able to interact with personnel in other organizations.
- Ability to read and interpret Engineering prints/drawings; translate design intent into manufacturing execution
- Working knowledge of Bus Body and Chassis assembly
- Program management and launch
- Use of measurement equipment (calipers, micrometers, etc.)
- Must possess excellent planning and organization skills
- Competent user of MS Office products
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Accredited University required
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in Manufacturing Engineering
- All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- CAD experience, preferred
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional improvements impacting safety, quality, delivery, and cost; including sustainment/standardization
- Past experience in Production Supervision a plus
- 5 years automotive experience preferred
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
- Must be able to work with diverse workforce
- Weekends and travel as required
WE VALUE
- Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
- Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
- Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
- Ability to influence stakeholders
- Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
- Flexible workspaces and work hours that help you unleash the best you.
- Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.
INCLUDES
- Continued Professional Development
- Benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k with match
*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings. Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.
All candidates must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
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Qualifications Education Required Bachelors or better. Experience Required Experience in Manufacturing Engineering. Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Top Skills
What We Do
About Us
Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since 1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services. Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,600 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network of Dealers and Parts & Service facilities throughout North America. Its global presence can be seen in more than 60 countries through sales into Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
Our Promise
We are singularly focused on building and selling school buses that customers want and value. The safety of schoolchildren is at the center of all that we do and we will strive every day, just as we have since our beginning in 1927, to provide an unparalleled and affordable product in terms of safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We will be easy to do business with, responsive to our customers' wants and needs, and provide prompt after-sale support in parts and service through a professional, high-qualified distribution network. Customer satisfaction is our top priority.
What We Stand For
We come to work every day with one common goal, to design, build, sell and service the world's finest school bus. That's what we do - no distractions, no competing priorities. We are heirs to a rich legacy, one of listening to our customers, embracing their needs, and delivering innovations that lead the market.
We commit ourselves to four driving priorities - safety, quality, durability, and serviceability. We embody the interests of every child that rides us, every driver that drives us, every service technician that services us and every district that buys us. More than a business, this work is our heritage, and we have been at it since 1927 - that's purpose driven.
