Lean Manufacturing Engineer, Welding

Build a leaner, safer, smarter factory

At Dexter's El Reno, Oklahoma site, you'll be the catalyst who aligns Lean and Six Sigma with our values—Execute with Determination, Connect with People, and Do the Right Thing—to elevate safety, quality, delivery, and cost across the plant.

Why Dexter

• Industry leader in axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts, accessories, and towing components for commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets.
• Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, with manufacturing and distribution across the U.S. and Canada.
• Advanced robotics, precision welding, and automated machining at scale.
• A culture built on quality, continuous improvement, and customer service.

Learn more:

How you'll make impact

• Lead cross-functional CI projects that deliver measurable SQDC results.
• Conduct value stream mapping, time studies, and flow analysis to dial in takt and capacity.
• Engineer ergonomic workstations and balanced lines that improve safety and first-pass yield.
• Develop labor standards, capacity models, and production forecasts to boost planning accuracy.
• Optimize material flow, internal logistics, and line-side delivery to cut waste and downtime.
• Stand up visual controls (kanban, Andon, production boards) for clear communication and accountability.
• Apply 8D, A3, and FMEA to eradicate root causes and lock in countermeasures.
• Drive robotic welding automation, weld sequence optimization, and fixture/tooling improvements with welding teams.
• Integrate PLC-controlled systems, robotics, and IoT-enabled equipment to stabilize and scale processes.
• Use SPC and analytics to monitor capability and improve quality performance.
• Partner with Maintenance/Engineering on TPM to maximize uptime and reliability.
• Embed DFM/DFA into new axle and suspension designs in partnership with New Product Engineering.
• Identify cost reductions in direct/indirect labor, scrap, rework, and utilities.
• Standardize best practices across regions to ensure sustainability and replication.

Lead and coach

• Mentor plant managers and supervisors as a CI coach and trainer.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and share best practices plant-wide.
• Own KPI tracking and reporting (OEE, scrap, safety, savings).
• Champion a Lean mindset with both leaders and frontline employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering (or related).
• 1–3 years in manufacturing; axle/chassis/suspension/automotive or trailer components preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt preferred).
• Welding knowledge: manual/robotic; MIG, TIG, resistance.
• Time studies, labor standards, and layout design.
• ERP/MES (Oracle, Plex, SAP) and data analytics.
• Customer-focused collaborator who is safety-first, hands-on, and effective across union and cross-functional settings.

Compensation & benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA
• 3% Safe Harbor profit sharing
• 401(k) with company contributions
• Clear paths for internal growth and development

Apply today to help us deliver for customers who depend on Dexter performance every day.

**Equal Opportunity Employer

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Offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screen. Dexter Axle Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

**Work Authorization

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Dexter will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. This position does not provide sponsorship. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.