Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Hickory, NC (NOW HIRING)

Eaton's IS VEH VGNA division is currently seeking a Lead Engineer. This is a full time, on-site position supporting our Kings Mountain, NC manufacturing facility. Relocation assistance is available to those within the US/PR.
The Lead Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, improving, and maintaining processes across all areas of responsibility in support of customer requirements. This includes researching and developing new technologies and techniques, as well as coordinating new product launches. The position also provides daily engineering support for machining, heat treat, and assembly operations to ensure production meets demand.
This role is accountable for upholding Eaton's safety and quality standards and is expected to demonstrate strong leadership for engineers, engineering technicians, and operators. This position provides training and technical guidance as needed and collaborates with maintenance personnel to troubleshoot and diagnose equipment issues. Additionally, the Lead Engineer must align with departmental and plant objectives related to safety, quality, delivery, inventory, and productivity.
The expected annual salary range for this role is $97000 - $143000 a year.
Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Eaton announced, on January 26, 2026, the intent to separate its Mobility Group (including both the Vehicle and eMobility segments) into an independent, publicly traded company. We expect to complete the separation by the end of the first quarter of 2027. The compensation and benefits that will initially be offered for this position are based on Eaton's plans, programs and practices. If you are offered and accept this position and are actively employed by the Mobility Group when the spinoff closes, the new company will provide further details to employees concerning compensation and benefits at that time.
What you'll do:

• Monitor, improve and maintain processes in area of responsibility for the Kings Mountain facility through:
  • Development of processes
  • Updating work instructions, posted references, process alerts, control plans, standard work, & related documents
  • Improving the reliability and capability of equipment
  • Evaluating related processes for efficiency, waste reduction, and work balancing (Lean tools: VSM, 5S, SW, TPM, SUR, LMF, Problem Solving, etc)

• Implementation of change through:
  • Evaluation of change notifications and a quick understanding of the impact to processes
  • Project management of cross functional teams for process changes and necessary training
  • Evaluate, improve and update PFMEAs per APQP guidelines, Work Instructions and Work-Station Risk Assessments
  • Developing improved fail-safe strategies through part design, 3D printing and testing
  • Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to help drive continuous improvement

• Active member of a cross functional Flow Line team to meet Value Stream goals and objectives
• Work with operations, engineering technicians and maintenance technicians on day-to-day trouble shooting of production issues
• Support new equipment installations as needed working with suppliers and producing required documentation for new equipment. (Capability studies, Programs, First piece PPAP submittal)
• Maintain, modify, and create new and existing PLC, Robot and CNC programs for various types of equipment such as lathes, Grinders, and mills with various types of CNC controls resulting in a high level of quality
• Support Industry 4.0 Automation initiatives for new equipment
• Advanced understanding and troubleshooting of mechanical, electronic equipment and processes

Qualifications:
Required Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelors Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum five (5) years experience in a manufacturing environment
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any "CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc."

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with PLC, Robotic programming, and CNC experience
• Gear manufacturing experience
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0, Automation and Additive Manufacturing
• Experience with AutoCad
• Project Management experience

Additional Information:

• Working knowledge and experience manufacturing, specifically, knowledge and operation of CNC machining, Lean tools, assembly, blueprint reading, measurement systems, and working within a structured team environment.
• Knowledge of the financial side of the business, specifically, departmental budgets, capital planning, profit plan, and production measurement systems.
• Design experience in ProEngineer or related CAD systems.
• 3D printing experience.
• Understanding of PLC related logic and controls.
• Capability to conduct time studies and implement solutions for bottleneck improvements and line balancing.
• Knowledge of statistical methods used to analyze process variations.
• Knowledge of environmental laws and O.S.H.A. rules and regulation.

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates' privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.
We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.