Automotive manufacturing
Engineering professionals in Automotive manufacturing
These engineering leaders run or have run manufacturing, body and product engineering teams at automakers and automotive suppliers. A reader can learn how vehicle programs move from engineering into production and supplier launch, and where those launches go wrong.
Professionals to explore
01—10Adam Zarzycki
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Manufacturing Engineering North America · KIRCHHOFF Automotive
Senior Director Manufacturing Engineering North America at KIRCHHOFF Automotive since 2024. The highlight lists this role and a Manufacturing Engineering Manager role at KIRCHHOFF Automotive, the latter in the Engineering and Technical department. Other listed roles include Specjalista ds. sprzedaży at KIRCHHOFF Automotive (2010), Manufacturing Engineering Manager at KIRCHHOFF Automotive (2017–2024) and Starszy Inżynier Rozwoju i Planowania Procesu Spawania i Zgrzewania at KIRCHHOFF Automotive (2016).
Amit Patel
LinkedInExperience: Director - Manufacturing Engineering · General Motors
Director - Manufacturing Engineering at General Motors since 2019. The highlight describes a manufacturing engineering and operations professional in the automotive industry, including 28 years with General Motors India. Other listed roles include EGM - Regional Lead, GMIO ME Vehicle Systems - Automation at General Motors (2015–2019), Engineering Group Manger - Mfg Eng - Automation & Paint at General Motors (2008–2015), Deputy General Manager - Projects - CCRW at General Motors (2006–2008) and Divisional Manager - Maintenance at General Motors (2000–2006).
Jes Salmons
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering · AMG Industries LLC.
Director of Engineering at AMG Industries LLC. since 2023. The highlight describes 25+ years in the automotive manufacturing and tooling trade, from prototypes to mass production. Other listed roles include Corporate Engineering Manager at Falls Stamping and Welding Company (2016–2023), Machine Trades Assistant instructor at Ohio state university Agricultural Technical Institute (2012–2022), Senior Tooling Engineer at Anchor Manufacturing Group, Inc. (2014–2016) and New Model Tooling Engineer at Atlantic Tool and Die Company (2013–2014).
Kait Cischke
LinkedInExperience: Global Engineering Director, Exterior & Structural Systems · Ford Motor Company
Global Engineering Director, Exterior & Structural Systems at Ford Motor Company since 2025. The highlight describes an executive-level engineering leader with global automotive product development experience. Other listed roles include Global Chief Engineer, Structural Systems Engineering at Ford Motor Company (2021–2025), Body Exterior Interior Design TVM Manager at Ford Motor Company (2019–2021), Body Exterior Integration Leader, F-150 at Ford Motor Company (2018–2019) and Body Exterior Engineering Business Leader at Ford Motor Company (2017–2018).
Philippe Verbeeck
LinkedInExperience: Director Manufacturing engineering (stamping, body construction, paint, T&F) · Ford Motor Company
Director Manufacturing engineering (stamping, body construction, paint, T&F) at Ford Motor Company since 2015. The highlight describes this current role as Director Manufacturing engineering for stamping, body construction, paint and T&F at Ford Motor Company. Also Director New model programs Ford of Europe at Ford Motor Company since 2014. Other listed roles include operations manager at Ford Motor Company (2012–2013), Stamping manager Ford of Europe at Ford Motor Company (2009–2011) and Stamping and Body area manager at Ford Motor Company (1987–2008).
Ranvir Jalf
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Product Engineering - Light Weight Structures · Martinrea International
Vice President Product Engineering - Light Weight Structures at Martinrea International since 2022. The highlight describes 14+ years of product design and development in automotive chassis, structural body and energy absorbing components. Other listed roles include Director of Engineering - Shiloh Industries at Shiloh Industries (2014–2018), Director Of Engineering at DEP (2013–2014), Development Lead - Front Suspension at Chrysler (2011–2013) and Executive Director Engineering at Martinrea International (2018–2022).
Robert Lazarevich
LinkedInExperience: Director, Body Engineering · FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Director, Body Engineering at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles since 2015. The highlight describes responsibility for body systems and components from concept through production launch for North American-engineered vehicles. Other listed roles include Senior Manager, Body-in-White (BIW) Engineering at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (2010–2015), Manager Senior Professional Project Responsible -JS JC at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (2009–2010) and Manager - Body Closures Exterior JK72 JK74 KK KA - JTPT at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (2009).
Sivaramakirushnan Jayaraman
LinkedInExperience: Director of Manufacturing Engineering · Ford Motor Company
Director of Manufacturing Engineering at Ford Motor Company since 2020. The highlight describes over 29 years in the automotive manufacturing sector leading vehicle and powertrain industrialization programs. Also Director Manufacturing Process Engineering (Vehicle & Powertrain) IAP Industrial Strategy at Ford Motor Company since 2020. Other listed roles include Senior Supervisor at Stellantis India Private limited (2004–2014), General Manager Engineering at STELLANTIS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (2014–2019) and Head of Engineering at Ford Motor Company (2019–2020).
Ulf Ruprecht
LinkedInExperience: Engineering Director · Motherson Group - PKC EUSA
Former Engineering Director at Motherson Group - PKC EUSA (2017–2026). The highlight describes over 20 years of executive leadership in the automotive industry, leading engineering and program management teams across Europe and South America. Also Vice President, Engineering, Program Management & Costing at Motherson Group since 2026. Other listed roles include Program Director Europe & Africa - E-Systems at Lear Corporation (2012–2017), Managing Director Country Manager - EPMS Thailand at Lear Corporation (2010–2012) and Program Director Asia Pacific - ESD at Lear Corporation (2009–2010).
Yavuz Demir
LinkedInExperience: Deputy Director, Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering · Parsan
Deputy Director, Powertrain Manufacturing Engineering at Parsan since 2026. The highlight describes an automotive manufacturing executive with more than 30 years in powertrain production, manufacturing engineering and plant operations. Other listed roles include Lead Technical Consultant at Freelance (Self employed) (2025–2026), Eskişehir Powertrain Plant Manager at Ford Otosan (2022–2024), New Model Product Launch, Supervisor at Ford Otosan (2012–2016) and Tool&Die Shop Management, Supervisor at Ford Otosan (2011–2012).
Choose the right perspective
Check whether the person's relevant role is current or past and whether it sat at an automaker or at a supplier. Ask them for one launch or production engineering decision they owned and what they would do differently.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Tell me about a time when you had to choose between faster delivery and higher reliability. What made you pick that path?
- 02Which supplier or manufacturing constraint surprised you most when you started managing it? How did you work around it?
- 03Walk me through a decision where cutting operating cost meant accepting more downtime or quality risk. What was the actual impact?
Reaching engineering professionals in Automotive manufacturing
How can I contact one of these engineering professionals in Automotive manufacturing?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including KIRCHHOFF Automotive, General Motors and AMG Industries LLC., based on profile data retrieved on September 30, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach engineering professionals in Automotive manufacturing?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal