Senior Material Handling Facilities & Equipment Engineer

SWJ Technologie specializes in providing engineering, planning, and project management services across various industries. We are currently seeking a Senior Material Handling Facilities & Equipment Engineer for a client in the automotive industry. This role is a contractor position based in Fort Wayne, IN that requires onsite presence. If you’re eager to grow your career and make a meaningful impact on exciting projects, we look forward to your application.
 
PURPOSE: 
This role is responsible for leading the specification, procurement, implementation, and installation of material handling equipment supporting an automotive manufacturing launch. The position manages the complete facilities and equipment workstream—from defining technical requirements and coordinating supplier selection through equipment installation and commissioning—while ensuring project milestones, quality standards, and operational requirements are successfully achieved.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop technical specifications and procurement documentation for material handling equipment, including RFQs, bid evaluations, and supplier recommendations.
• Design and validate 2D/3D equipment layouts to ensure compliance with plant and production requirements.
• Review engineering drawings, fabrication submittals, and technical documentation for accuracy and specification compliance.
• Manage suppliers, fabricators, and installation contractors from equipment award through final installation and commissioning.
• Coordinate fabrication, factory acceptance testing (FAT), delivery, installation, and punch list resolution.
• Support PFEP development and maintain equipment tracking and project documentation.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Material Flow, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations, and Procurement teams to ensure material handling solutions meet production and line-side delivery requirements.
• Monitor project scope, schedule, risks, and progress while providing regular status updates to program leadership.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and ensure equipment meets quality, safety, and operational requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of facilities and equipment engineering experience within automotive manufacturing or launch environments.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Strong experience managing material handling equipment projects from concept through installation.
• Experience developing equipment specifications, RFQs, bid evaluations, supplier selection, and procurement support.
• Knowledge of material handling systems including:
  • Flow racks
  • High-bay racking
  • Mobile material handling equipment
  • Tugger and dolly systems
  • Line-side presentation systems
  • Custom handling equipment
• Proficiency in AutoCAD 2D; experience with 3D CAD software is an advantage.
• Experience reviewing fabrication drawings and engineering documentation.
• Hands-on experience managing suppliers, fabricators, and installation contractors.
• Understanding of CapEx procurement processes within OEM or Tier 1 automotive environments.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple suppliers and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Experience supporting automotive greenfield or brownfield manufacturing launches.
• Familiarity with PFEP (Plan for Every Part) development.
• Experience with factory acceptance testing (FAT), commissioning, and equipment validation.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and material flow optimization.
• Experience working within automotive assembly operations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is normally performed in an office, laboratory, manufacturing floor, or machine shop setting where physical work includes, but is not limited to sitting, standing, reaching, kneeling, bending, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Must be able to understand and comply with all relevant safety practices.

FLSA STATUS/WORKING SCHEDULE:

• Location: Fort Wayne, IN
• Schedule: Fulltime, on-site
• Overtime: as required
• Assignment Start: ASAP

DISCLAIMER:
This job description is a high-level overview of general expectations of this position. It is not intended to list every responsibility of the position, nor does it represent an employment contract of any kind.

 

SWJ TECHNOLOGY and all of its subsidiaries (i.e., SWJ MACHINING and ProjectOne US) are Equal Opportunity Employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.