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Posted June 11, 2026

Engineering Shop Manager

American Rheinmetall Vehicles
Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States 48326 Full Time
Reference: 285176977
Engineering Shop Manager

JOB SUMMARY
The Engineering Shop Manager is a key role within the American Rheinmetall Engineering team focused on ensuring that Rheinmetall prototypes are produced on-time, Laboratory spaces are properly supported, shipping & receiving and warehouse management is accurately and efficiently executed, and shop safety training and procedure are implemented.
Essential Functions:
  • Plan and manage Engineering Shop Resources such as machine shop, vehicle high-bays, electrical fabrication & re-workshop, test cells, and armor coupon fabrication
  • Plan and manage the manufacture, build or modification, assembly, integration and check-out of prototype vehicle platforms.
  • Develop the requirements, layout plans, and maintenance planning for the AR Engineering Shop and Lab Facilities
  • Manage Shop Warehouse functions such as packaging, shipping, and receiving
  • Manage Engineering Shop inventory, GFP Inventory, Armory Storage and Material handling equipment
  • Manage Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) per contractual standards. Support and participate in USG GFE audits as required
  • Work with internal customers, partners and teammates to integrate major subsystems into prototype vehicles
  • Develop, train and implement safety protocols for the shop and lab areas.
  • Work with internal customers, partners and teammates to support development and test labs
  • Manage and execute Engineering Work Orders for prototypes, labs, test equipment, fabricated components, welded components, and electrical harness or rework.
  • Develop and establish relationships to transition Rheinmetall prototype platforms and capabilities from Europe to the US.
  • Monitor workloads, review headcount requirements and make staffing level adjustments and/or reallocate resources to ensure that the required resources are available
  • Lead build planning, performance measurement, and status of prototyping activities.
  • Identify, procure and manage special tools, equipment, consumables, and PPE required
  • Establish working level relationships with all internal support functions, and external stakeholders
  • Support the order and receipt of all shop materials
  • Support bidding efforts by the development of competitive and compliant bid estimates
  • Conduct shakedown testing to ensure proper function and initial performance
  • Develop and maintain department procedures
  • Control and deliver a large-scale project planning, including financial expenditures for capital equipment
  • Assist in the development of build work instructions based on CAD models, drawings, engineering documentation, and images of physical hardware
  • Perform inspections, document build issues, and manage engineering change notices resulting from prototyping activities
  • Assist in the development of subsystem and system level qualification test plans
  • Provide final approval of Technical Documents and Safety Statements according to law and/or contractual conditions
  • Support and adhere to all company safety and environmental regulations & policies
  • Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. Occasional travel to Europe will be required
  • Undertake other duties as determined by the Managing Director or his/her delegate
Supervisory Responsibility:
Direct Reports of all Shop Staff
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (as demonstrated through experience, training and/or testing)
  • Familiarity with the US DoD ground vehicle requirements
  • Knowledge of the US DoD process and procedures for vehicle development and procurement
  • Knowledge in Industrial Engineering and related Standards/ Processes
  • Practical 'hands on' attitude with the ability to operate independently
  • Must be able to communicate effectively in a variety of settings and be able to assimilate complex instructions easily. Ability to communicate with all levels of management and staff to establish productive relationships. Superior consultation, diplomacy, influencing and negotiating skills is required. Must possess the ability to explain complex concepts in a way that makes sense to someone less knowledgeable about the topic.
  • Must demonstrate an enthusiasm to engage with and support overseas colleagues to ensure all staff have the information and opportunity to perform to the best of their abilities.
  • Must promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across the organization and its external service providers. Must be tactful, diplomatic, and work with integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
  • Must display exceptional listening and analytical skills in order to understand customer concerns and needs with the ability to respond promptly and effectively to those needs.
  • Encourage and motivate individuals and teams to achieve high levels of performance. Will clarify and define the goals and strategies of the organization and successfully communicate this to all. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to work effectively with the US team, suppliers, customer, and corporate parent staff.
  • High level of self-motivation and standards with the ability to multi-task; balancing "analysis" with "doing". Must be adaptable and able to prioritize and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Work on own initiative.
Education:
  • Bachelors of Science in Engineering degree (mechanical, materials, systems, electrical) or equivalent work experience
Experience:
  • 10-15 years' experience working in defense preferably in combat or tactical wheeled vehicles
  • Positions of increasing responsibility managing the manufacture, build, assembly, integration and checkout of vehicle platforms or other low volume large complex products
  • Experience in Prototype Production Environments
  • Experience with scope of work development, bid capture, contract negotiations and delivery planning
  • Ability to present technical solutions to clients and internal stakeholders
  • Experience with product development, engineering and supply chain management in a highly regulated industry.
  • Direct experience with ERP systems preferred
  • Experience of working in a multi-national, multi-organizational and corporate environment preferred
Background Prerequisites:
  • Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks and controlled substance testing.
  • All employment at ARV is contingent upon the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance if the position requires it.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Engineering
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
With or without reasonable accommodation requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:
  • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
  • Ability to stand for long periods




Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI285176977

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