What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Engineer position at Dexter?
Dexter is the premier manufacturer and supplier of axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts, accessories, and towing components serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets has an opportunity for an Industrial Engineer at our manufacturing facility located in El Reno, Oklahoma.
Key Responsibilities
Process & Technical Expertise
*Lead continuous improvement projects across assigned areas.
*Conduct value stream mapping, time studies, and process flow analysis to optimize throughput, takt time, and resource allocation.
*Design and implement ergonomic workstations and assembly lines to improve operator safety, efficiency, and quality.
*Develop and maintain labor standards, capacity models, and production forecasts to support planning and scheduling accuracy.
*Optimize material flow, internal logistics, and line-side delivery systems to reduce handling, downtime, and waste.
*Implement visual management systems (kanban, Andon, production boards) to improve shop floor communication and accountability.
*Lead root cause analysis and structured problem-solving (8D, A3, FMEA) to drive permanent solutions to production challenges.
*Partner with welding departments to advance robotic welding automation, weld sequence optimization, and fixture/tooling design.
*Support automation and technology integration (PLC-controlled systems, robotics, smart manufacturing, IoT-enabled equipment).
*Apply statistical process control (SPC) and advanced data analytics to monitor quality and process performance.
*Collaborate with Maintenance/Engineering teams on Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to improve equipment uptime and reliability.
*Work with New Product Engineering to integrate Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) into new axle and suspension designs.
*Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives in direct labor, indirect labor, scrap, rework, and utilities.
*Standardize best practices across regions, ensuring sustainability and replication of improvements.
Leadership & Influence
*Act as a local CI coach and trainer, mentoring plant managers and supervisors.
*Facilitate Kaizen workshops and problem-solving events.
*Track and report KPIs (OEE, scrap, safety, cost savings).
*Promote best practice sharing across departments to reduce variation.
*Drive Dexter’s Lean culture through engagement with both leadership and frontline employees.
Competencies
Customer Focus – aligns CI work with Dexter’s product reliability and customer commitments.
Collaboration – effective across plants, union environments, and functional teams.
Operational Excellence – uses Lean/Six Sigma to drive sustainable results.
Communication – able to translate CI strategy from plant floor to executive level.
Change Leadership – drives adoption of CI culture in established operations.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
Experience: 1-3 years in manufacturing (axle, chassis, suspension, automotive/trailer components preferred).
Technical Skills
Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt preferred).
Welding knowledge (manual/robotic, MIG, TIG, resistance).
Time studies, labor standards, and plant layout design.
ERP/MES (Oracle, Plex, SAP) and data analytics.
Dexter Fit: Collaborative, safety-first, hands-on problem solver who thrives in a manufacturing environment.
We care for our people. Here are some of our great, comprehensive Benefits:
- Dexter offers a competitive wage
- Full benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA
- 3% profit sharing in our Safe Harbor program
- 401(k) Plan with company contributions
- Opportunities for internal career development and growth
Apply now to join an industry leader and make a difference in what we do for the customers we serve!
Equal Opportunity Employer
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
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.