Mechanical Engineer

Job Summary

Kumho Tire Georgia (KTG) is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support plant operations, manufacturing equipment reliability, facility infrastructure, utilities systems, and capital improvement projects. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while supporting maintenance, engineering, and production teams to maximize equipment performance, operational efficiency, and product quality.

The Mechanical Engineer will oversee utility systems, plant equipment, facility improvements, vendor management, capital expenditures, preventive maintenance initiatives, energy management programs, and engineering projects. The ideal candidate will have experience with industrial manufacturing environments, mechanical systems, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, piping systems, maintenance engineering, project management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

Equipment Reliability & Utility Systems

• Ensure critical maintenance materials, spare parts, and OEM replacement components are available to support plant operations.
• Manage and maintain utility systems including boilers, compressed air systems, steam distribution systems, water treatment equipment, and facility infrastructure.
• Update and maintain P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams), utility piping layouts, and process documentation.
• Support preventive maintenance and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Assist with troubleshooting mechanical equipment, utility systems, and process-related issues.
• Train maintenance technicians and utility personnel on equipment operation, troubleshooting, safety procedures, and best maintenance practices.
• Oversee calibration and maintenance of measuring, weighing, and process control equipment.

Engineering Projects & Capital Improvements

• Assist with the design, installation, modification, and commissioning of new and existing manufacturing equipment and facility systems.
• Lead capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades from planning through implementation.
• Prepare engineering documentation, investment requests, project justifications, and capital expenditure proposals for corporate approval.
• Conduct cost analysis, ROI evaluations, and project feasibility studies.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, contractor performance, and project deliverables.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, equipment performance, and cost reduction.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Coordinate vendor selection, contractor bidding processes, and procurement activities.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and prepare recommendation reports based on technical and financial analysis.
• Manage relationships with equipment manufacturers, contractors, service providers, and engineering consultants.
• Support international purchasing activities and equipment sourcing initiatives.

Facility, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, safety standards, and company policies.
• Support permitting activities, discharge compliance monitoring, and environmental reporting requirements.
• Assist with facility maintenance, building systems management, and environmental equipment oversight.
• Investigate equipment failures and recommend corrective and preventive actions.

Operational Support & Shutdown Management

• Plan and coordinate annual plant shutdowns, maintenance outages, and startup activities.
• Monitor utility performance including pressure, temperature, flow rates, and system stability.
• Work closely with production, maintenance, utilities, and engineering teams to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
• Manage equipment disposal projects and asset lifecycle activities.

Energy & Performance Management

• Monitor and analyze plant energy consumption and utility usage.
• Identify energy-saving opportunities and support sustainability initiatives.
• Track and report departmental KPIs, equipment performance metrics, and maintenance effectiveness indicators.
• Support efforts to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reliability, and operational performance.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering required.

Experience

• 1–3 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, Utilities Engineering, or Industrial Engineering environments preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of mechanical systems, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, piping systems, steam systems, compressed air systems, and industrial utilities.
• Experience with SAP, AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Suite, and engineering documentation.
• Understanding of preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance, reliability engineering, and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with capital projects, project management, budgeting, and cost analysis.
• Knowledge of vendor management, procurement processes, and contractor oversight.
• Experience reading engineering drawings, P&IDs, technical specifications, and mechanical schematics.
• Understanding of welding, industrial piping, facility systems, and manufacturing equipment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

Moderate Work: Occasionally working in difficult positions and/or with physical demands such as lifting and moving materials weighing 25–50 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving materials greater than 50 pounds.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Accident Insurance
• Voluntary Cancer Insurance
• 401(k)
• 401(k) Company Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Discount Tire Program

About Kumho Tire Georgia

Kumho Tire Georgia is a leading tire manufacturing facility dedicated to producing high-quality products through innovation, operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement. Our team members play a critical role in supporting world-class manufacturing processes and delivering exceptional products to customers worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kumho Tire Georgia (KTG) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age