Plant Optimization Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

About the Organization Mettle Ops is a woman-owned business experienced in defense program management, federal acquisitions, business development, engineering, analysis, reporting, and risk management with the mission of helping soldiers survive on the battlefield. Through transparency and grit, Mettle Ops delivers multidisciplinary, comprehensive Department of Defense engineering solutions to government and industry partners on a national scale with a mission to build business based on a philosophy of hard work and dedication. Mettle Ops believes they have a high obligation to the warfighter, their home state of Michigan, their customers, their employees, their faith, and their place on this earth. Mettle Ops is inspired by courage and tenacity and so-named Mettle Ops.

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Plant & Build Operations Manager owns the full path from raw material to fielded product: plant and warehouse operations, build management across Mettle Ops and its subcontractors, and hands-on build engineering for prototype and first-article units. This is a combined role spanning three disciplines — plant/warehouse operations management, build/program management (BOM tracking, subcontractor and OEM coordination, delivery rate-and-flow planning), and prototype build engineering (build plan development, build readiness, and vehicle/kit delivery). The person in this role ensures product moves through manufacture, kitting, quality inspection, and delivery on schedule, on cost, and in full compliance with contract and safety requirements.

• Manage daily plant and warehouse operations to ensure production and distribution goals are achieved.
• Develop and implement operational plans that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure optimal utilization of labor, equipment, and warehouse space.
• Coordinate production schedules with sales, procurement, and logistics teams.
• Oversee receiving, storage, inventory control, order fulfillment, and shipping activities.
• Maintain accurate inventory records through regular cycle counts and physical inventories.
• Ensure proper inventory rotation and storage practices, and minimize discrepancies, waste, and product damage.
• Optimize warehouse layout and material flow for maximum efficiency.

• Progress, track, and report status of product Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Track and progress open issues to closure across the company, OEM/customer, and suppliers.
• Create and update build processes as needed and maintain precise documentation.
• Work closely with engineering and hardware teams on order and delivery commitments; develop rate-and-flow plans as required.
• Progress, track, and report status of product builds against the master build/delivery schedule.
• Communicate build and delivery status to the customer, suppliers, and internal teams.

• Own all prototype and first-article build activities from build creation and design through delivery.
• Develop feasible build plans based on work scope, product specifications, test plans, and program timing.
• Lead build-team readiness activities, ensuring all program deliverables are met.
• Resolve issues affecting build quality, engineering design, build-shop readiness, part delivery, and timing.
• Support development of documentation for product/vehicle commissioning and first article test (FAT) readiness.
• Support cross-functional teams including engineering, quality, hardware, and program management.

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop warehouse, plant, and build personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct regular performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Schedule staffing to meet operational demands while controlling labor costs.

• Promote and enforce a safe working environment.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company safety regulations.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, audits, and inspections.
• Investigate workplace incidents and implement corrective actions.

• Ensure products meet company quality standards and customer/contract expectations.
• Partner with Quality teams to investigate and resolve quality issues.
• Implement preventive measures to reduce defects and operational errors.

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs for plant and warehouse equipment.
• Coordinate repairs and vendor services as necessary.
• Ensure the facility is clean, organized, and operating efficiently.

• Identify opportunities to improve operational and build processes and reduce costs.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize data to drive decision-making and improve operational and build performance.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred; Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (ABET-accredited) preferred for the build-engineering scope of this role.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in plant, warehouse, manufacturing, or distribution operations.
• 10+ years of leadership experience managing supervisors and hourly employees.
• Experience owning build activities from creation/design through delivery, including build plan development and build-team readiness.
• Experience with inventory management systems and ERP software.
• Experience implementing process improvement initiatives.
• Hardware design and manufacturing experience, concept to production, preferred.

• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities; able to organize chaos and uncertainty through robust processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations, logistics, and inventory control.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and production planning.
• Familiarity with OSHA regulations and workplace safety standards.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills; works effectively under pressure with high output in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; capable of reporting to all levels of management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP/WMS software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across plant operations, build management, and engineering simultaneously.

• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain).
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS).
• APICS/CPIM or other supply chain certifications.
• Master of Science degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Prior vehicle, kit, or defense-product build experience.
• Proven leadership capacity in a program or production environment.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in warehouse and manufacturing environments, including varying temperatures.
• Ability to operate warehouse equipment if required.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Salary $150,000 - $160,000