Job Title: Project Engineer – Sustaining Engineering
Location: Silao, Mexico
Reports To: Team Lead – Sustaining Engineering
Department: HARTING Custom Solutions (HCS)
Objective
HARTING is seeking a motivated and technically skilled Project Engineer – Sustaining Engineering to join our cross-functional Sustaining Engineering team based in Silao. This team is responsible for driving continuous cost reduction and process optimization across cable assembly operations. As a member of this team, the Project Engineer will contribute domain expertise to targeted cost-reduction and process improvement initiatives, with shared accountability for measurable results.
The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in cable assembly engineering, a deep understanding of cable sourcing and supplier engagement, and a collaborative mindset suited to working across functional boundaries including sourcing, design engineering, manufacturing, quality, and industrial engineering.
Primary Responsibilities
• Support BOM cost optimization efforts by identifying and qualifying alternative components and suppliers to reduce material costs while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Work directly with cable suppliers to identify existing cable solutions that meet project requirements, or collaborate with suppliers to develop new custom cable solutions where off-the-shelf options are insufficient.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles in collaboration with design engineering to simplify product designs and reduce production time.
• Participate in value engineering projects in partnership with Product Management, Procurement, Project Engineers, Project Leaders, and Quote Specialists.
• Serve as a technical contributor for sustainment activities on serial production cable assemblies.
• Coordinate across sourcing, manufacturing, industrial engineering, and quality teams to ensure rapid and effective implementation of improvement initiatives.
• Support root cause analysis for production and quality issues; contribute to CAPA closures in partnership with Quality Engineering.
• Prepare engineering specifications for supply chain and purchasing teams; contribute to customer and internal technical documentation as required.
• Assist with lifecycle management activities, including monitoring product status and proactively addressing end-of-life or obsolescence risks.
• Contribute to KPI tracking, including annualized cost savings and throughput improvement metrics.
Required Skills and Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in cable assembly engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related discipline.
• Prior hands-on experience with cable harnesses, cable assemblies, or wire harnesses.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret customer drawings, electrical schematics, and technical specifications.
• Technical experience engaging with cable suppliers — including identifying existing cable products to meet project needs and/or developing custom cable solutions from specification.
• Strong project coordination and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, particularly Excel.
• Experience with ERP/MRP material planning systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; fluent English required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional, international environment.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with product or component lifecycle management, including obsolescence monitoring and end-of-life planning.
• Familiarity with the HARTING sourcing process and supplier qualification standards.
• Background in cost estimating or quoting for custom cable assemblies.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and process standardization.
• Experience working in or with manufacturing operations in a global business environment.