Prototype Build Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

About Pratt Miller, an Oshkosh company

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports, defense, and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development, engineering, prototype manufacturing, test & validation, and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster.

Our Manufacturing Engineers bridge the gap between design and hands-on build execution, ensuring that complex, high-performance mechanical systems are successfully realized in a prototype and development environment. This role focuses on early-stage defense product development, supporting manufacturing planning, build execution, and system integration for advanced mechanical systems.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, product development environment and is highly engaged on the shop floor - driving build readiness, resolving issues in real time, and coordinating across design, product engineering, and manufacturing teams. This position plays a critical role in managing build activities, supporting manufacturability, and ensuring efficient progression from concept to production-ready hardware.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND SKILLS:

Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to all of the following:

• Serve as the primary manufacturing point of contact between project leadership, design engineering, product engineering, and shop floor teams to ensure alignment between design intent and build execution.
• Lead and coordinate prototype build activities, including build planning, sequencing, manpower estimates, and daily execution to meet program timing and quality objectives.
• Assess and drive build readiness by ensuring parts, tooling, equipment, facilities, documentation, and resources are in place to support successful assembly and integration.
• Track and manage all material deliverables, including in-house fabrication, purchased components, outsourced parts, and final assemblies, ensuring alignment to build schedules.
• Provide hands-on manufacturing and assembly support on the shop floor, troubleshooting issues in real time and driving resolution through cross-functional collaboration.
• Capture, document, and drive resolution of build issues, nonconformances, and process gaps; communicate status and risks to program stakeholders.
• Collaborate with design engineering to support DFM/DFA, ensuring manufacturability, assembly efficiency, and design feasibility early in the product lifecycle.
• Develop and manage build plans, schedules, and resource forecasts; identify and mitigate risks to cost, schedule, and delivery.
• Assist in defining and implementing assembly processes, work instructions, build sequences, and physical build layouts to support efficient and repeatable builds.
• Support facility planning and capital equipment needs by identifying gaps and specifying tooling, equipment, and infrastructure required for build execution.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness activities, and validation efforts, ensuring systems are prepared for integration, testing, and delivery.
• Coordinate logistics activities including shipping, off-site work, test support, and build-related scheduling.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, purchasing, program management, and leadership to ensure program alignment, execution, and continuous improvement.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

In addition to the responsibilities mentioned above, tasks relating to the following area will be assigned as required.

• Experience with GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and CMM measurement.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD (Creo, NX, Catia, or SolidWorks) for reviewing models, creating tooling concepts, and interpreting prints.
• Working-level background in MS Word, Excel, MS Project, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; able to collaborate with cross-functional engineering and production teams.
• This specific role supports a U.S. DoD topic that is restricted to U.S. Citizens.
• Ability to obtain a security clearance.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

• BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (MS preferred).
• 5+ years of relevant experience in mechanical system manufacturing, preferably in defense, automotive, or high-performance industries.

DESIRED SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience leading prototype or low-rate production builds.
• Background in gear manufacturing, assembly, and inspection.
• Familiarity with AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality systems.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (Sage, SAP, Epicor, etc.).
• Experience with PLM systems (Windchill)
• Experience with tooling and fixture design.
• Experience supporting DFM/A, PFMEA, and process validation activities.
• Knowledge of government and defense product compliance requirements.
• Active security clearance (Secret Level Tier 3 preferred).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work hands-on in the manufacturing area supporting builds and troubleshooting.
• Ability to operate standard hand tools, measurement devices, and inspection equipment.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

• 8am-4pm core work hours (typically 45 hours per week on average).
• Project surge support and additional effort as needed to achieve deadlines.
• Some travel may be required for customer, supplier, and build-site support.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work will primarily be performed in a manufacturing environment with frequent interaction on the production floor.
• Collaboration across operations, quality, and engineering teams is essential.
• Some travel may be required for training, supplier visits, or off-site improvement events.
• Pratt Miller fosters a collaborative, innovative, and results-driven culture where team members contribute to advancing manufacturing performance and operational excellence.

Pay Range:

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any part of the recruitment process, please contact our talent acquisition team by email corporatetalentacquisition@oshkoshcorp.com.

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity Employer.Job opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporation's legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.