Production Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Production Engineer jobs in Tennessee are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in automotive manufacturing, chemical processing, and food and beverage production across seniority levels from entry-level process engineer through senior plant optimization roles. Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis are the three largest hiring metros, anchored by established employers like Nissan North America, Eastman Chemical, and Tyson Foods. The most in-demand specialties include lean manufacturing, process control, and quality systems engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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About the Role:
The Mass Production Purchasing International Engineer plays a critical role in managing and optimizing the procurement process for large-scale manufacturing operations within the business services sector. This position focuses on sourcing, negotiating, and securing materials and components from international suppliers to ensure timely and cost-effective production. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams including production, quality assurance, and logistics to align purchasing strategies with production schedules and quality standards. By analyzing market trends and supplier performance, the role aims to mitigate risks and drive continuous improvement in the supply chain. Ultimately, this position ensures that mass production demands are met efficiently while maintaining compliance with international trade regulations and company policies.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement purchasing strategies for mass production materials and components from international suppliers.
- Negotiate contracts, prices, and delivery terms with global vendors to secure favorable agreements.
- Coordinate with production and quality teams to forecast material requirements and ensure alignment with manufacturing schedules.
- Monitor supplier performance, conduct audits, and manage relationships to maintain high standards of quality and reliability.
- Analyze market trends, evaluate risks, and identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply chain optimization.
- Ensure compliance with international trade laws, import/export regulations, and company procurement policies.
- Prepare detailed reports and documentation related to purchasing activities, supplier evaluations, and cost analyses.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years experience in purchasing or procurement within a manufacturing or mass production environment.
- Strong knowledge of international sourcing, import/export regulations, and global supply chain management.
- Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data analysis.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in the business services industry or with multinational manufacturing companies.
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.
- Certification in Supply Chain Management or Purchasing (e.g., CPSM, CIPS).
- Multilingual abilities, particularly in languages relevant to key supplier regions.
- Advanced skills in data analytics and market research.
Skills:
The required skills enable the engineer to effectively manage complex international procurement processes by leveraging strong negotiation and communication abilities to build and maintain supplier relationships. Analytical skills are essential for evaluating supplier performance, market trends, and cost structures to make informed purchasing decisions. Proficiency in procurement software and data analysis tools supports efficient tracking and reporting of purchasing activities. Preferred skills such as ERP system knowledge and supply chain certifications enhance the engineer’s capability to integrate purchasing functions with broader business operations and improve process efficiencies. Multilingual skills facilitate clearer communication with diverse international suppliers, ensuring smoother transactions and stronger partnerships.
About the Role:
The Mass Production Purchasing International Engineer plays a critical role in managing and optimizing the procurement process for large-scale manufacturing operations within the business services sector. This position focuses on sourcing, negotiating, and securing materials and components from international suppliers to ensure timely and cost-effective production. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams including production, quality assurance, and logistics to align purchasing strategies with production schedules and quality standards. By analyzing market trends and supplier performance, the role aims to mitigate risks and drive continuous improvement in the supply chain. Ultimately, this position ensures that mass production demands are met efficiently while maintaining compliance with international trade regulations and company policies.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement purchasing strategies for mass production materials and components from international suppliers.
- Negotiate contracts, prices, and delivery terms with global vendors to secure favorable agreements.
- Coordinate with production and quality teams to forecast material requirements and ensure alignment with manufacturing schedules.
- Monitor supplier performance, conduct audits, and manage relationships to maintain high standards of quality and reliability.
- Analyze market trends, evaluate risks, and identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply chain optimization.
- Ensure compliance with international trade laws, import/export regulations, and company procurement policies.
- Prepare detailed reports and documentation related to purchasing activities, supplier evaluations, and cost analyses.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years experience in purchasing or procurement within a manufacturing or mass production environment.
- Strong knowledge of international sourcing, import/export regulations, and global supply chain management.
- Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data analysis.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in the business services industry or with multinational manufacturing companies.
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle.
- Certification in Supply Chain Management or Purchasing (e.g., CPSM, CIPS).
- Multilingual abilities, particularly in languages relevant to key supplier regions.
- Advanced skills in data analytics and market research.
Skills:
The required skills enable the engineer to effectively manage complex international procurement processes by leveraging strong negotiation and communication abilities to build and maintain supplier relationships. Analytical skills are essential for evaluating supplier performance, market trends, and cost structures to make informed purchasing decisions. Proficiency in procurement software and data analysis tools supports efficient tracking and reporting of purchasing activities. Preferred skills such as ERP system knowledge and supply chain certifications enhance the engineer’s capability to integrate purchasing functions with broader business operations and improve process efficiencies. Multilingual skills facilitate clearer communication with diverse international suppliers, ensuring smoother transactions and stronger partnerships.
See All 15 Production Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Engineer JobsProduction Engineer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Engineer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production engineer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
- Experience with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma
- Proficiency in process control systems and production planning software used in manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with quality management standards including ISO 9001 and automotive IATF 16949 certification requirements
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and technical specifications accurately
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills to work with maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams
Production Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production engineer in Tennessee?
A bachelor's degree in industrial, mechanical, or chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited program is the standard entry point for production engineers in Tennessee. While production engineering itself does not require a state-issued Professional Engineer license to practice in most manufacturing roles, obtaining a PE license through the Tennessee State Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners strengthens long-term career prospects and is required for roles with public-facing design responsibility.
Which companies hire production engineers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring production engineers in Tennessee right now include JTEKT North America, Syms Strategic Group, LLC (SSG), and Meta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's deep automotive, chemical, and food processing sectors mean demand is consistent year-round across both large corporations and mid-size contract manufacturers throughout the state.
Which Tennessee cities have the most production engineer jobs?
Clarksville, Memphis, and Nashville have the most production engineer openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives volume through its broad manufacturing base and corporate headquarters presence, while Knoxville benefits from Eastman Chemical's large operations in nearby Kingsport and the Oak Ridge research corridor, and Memphis serves as a logistics and food processing hub anchored by major distribution and production facilities.
Are there remote production engineer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Production engineering is fundamentally a plant-floor discipline, and most roles require on-site presence to oversee equipment, processes, and production teams. About 80% of production engineer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote work most common in process documentation, continuous improvement project management, and engineering support roles that don't require direct equipment interaction.
How can I get hired as a production engineer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to co-op or new-graduate rotational programs run by large Tennessee manufacturers such as Eastman Chemical, Bridgestone Americas, or Nissan North America, which routinely hire candidates without prior full-time experience. Adjacent roles like manufacturing technician, quality control inspector, or process associate at Tennessee automotive or chemical plants provide a direct lateral path, especially when paired with a Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean certification from a Tennessee community college or technical institute.
Where can I find and apply to production engineer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to production engineer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly through the listings.
See All 15 Production Engineer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Engineer Jobs