The Director – Chassis and Body Fabrication is responsible for overseeing all operations related to the fabrication, welding, assembly, and integration of chassis and body structural systems. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure the highest standards of product integrity, manufacturing efficiency, safety, and cost effectiveness. The director collaborates with cross-functional teams including design, quality, supply chain, and automation engineering to deliver structurally sound and production-ready vehicle assemblies.
Lead end-to-end chassis and body fabrication operations across multiple lines or facilities.
Oversee fabrication processes including cutting, bending, laser/plasma profiling, welding (MIG/TIG/spot/robotic), and frame assembly.
Drive the integration of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and automation best practices to enhance process flow and productivity.
Ensure the structural integrity, weld quality, and dimensional compliance of chassis frames and body substructures.
Collaborate with design and R&D teams for manufacturability reviews and prototype-to-production transitions.
Champion capital investment planning and implementation for new lines, fixtures, robotics, and jig systems.
Manage team development, skill enhancement, and succession planning across technical and supervisory levels.
Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance across all fabrication processes.
Review and analyze key performance indicators (OEE, FTQ, rework, cycle time, scrap) and implement corrective actions.
Develop and manage budgets, vendor relationships, and strategic sourcing initiatives related to fabrication.
Chassis & Body Structural Fabrication:
Lead operations involving frame rails, cross members, mounting brackets, and subframe assemblies.
Ensure rigidity, fatigue resistance, and dimensional fitment of fabricated structures.
Advanced Welding & Joining:
Oversee robotic/manual welding processes with emphasis on joint strength and repeatability.
Implement weld inspection technologies (ultrasonic, x-ray, dye-penetrant) where applicable.
Process Optimization & Industrial Engineering:
Identify bottlenecks, layout improvements, and automation opportunities to improve throughput.
Standardize work instructions, process documentation, and line balancing practices.
Quality and Compliance:
Enforce adherence to IATF 16949, ISO 3834, and relevant welding/fabrication quality standards.
Manage quality investigations and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
Cross-functional Program Leadership:
Align with program management, design, and validation teams on new vehicle launches.
Ensure timely ramp-up of fabrication capabilities for new platforms or product changes.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Welding Engineering (Master’s preferred).
15+ years of experience in chassis/body fabrication in automotive, heavy vehicle, or industrial equipment sectors.
In-depth knowledge of structural welding, jig/fixture design, frame assembly, and material behavior (steel, aluminum, etc.).
Strong track record in managing large teams, automated lines, and supplier collaborations.
Experience with lean tools (Kaizen, SMED, VSM), quality systems, and plant metrics management.
Leadership qualities including strategic thinking, team development, and cross-department coordination.