Working at MAHLE

Kei. S

Powertrain & Charging
Technical Development (DX) Function
Tsuruoka Plant
Joined MAHLE in 2023

Toward the goal of “Smart Factory” that properly communicates information and efficiently manufactures products
I am currently a member of the Smart Factory Group in the Technology Development Department, which promotes DX in factories. I am focusing on a project to digitize data related to products manufactured in the factories in order to manage them accurately and efficiently. While determining which information is needed at the production site, I am constantly thinking about the means necessary to identify the information.
Since I majored in mechanical engineering at the university, I am able to utilize my own expertise at the current position. On the other hand, there are still a lot of things that I do not know about manufacturing and digital technology. Fortunately, I have many opportunities to learn about manufacturing and digital technology from team members and production sites, and I feel the excitement of encountering new insights and discoveries through my projects.
Also, after the project I am working on is actually implemented at the production site, I receive feedbacks from the employees working there that they are now able to work more efficiently. At that time, I feel proud to be able to work as a member of this project, and it motivates me to do other work as well.

The culture of mutual help and the global environment
In my second year with MAHLE, while I was honored to be involved in the launch of a project in a new department, I was worried about my knowledge and the lack of working experiences. However, my team members listen to my worries and concerns, and they offer appropriate solutions and advice, and this leads to motivate mw to engage in my tasks with confidence.
Additionally, my team members were born and raised in different cultures. The different backgrounds of the members allow us to exchange various ideas and opinions, which leads to the interesting aspect of the job of being able to proceed with projects from multiple perspectives. As the environment lets me to communicate in English, I can improve my English skills as well as expand my ideas and experiences.

Typical Working Day
08:30AM Work begins
09:00AM Meeting with the team members
10:00AM Reviewing and sharing project progress with the team members, setting and following up tasks
12:00PM Lunch break
01:00PM Summary of analysis data
03:00PM Hearing and information gathering at production sites
05:00PM Work ends

Kei’s Career Path @ MAHLE
- Studied in mechanical engineering
- Joined MAHLE Engine Components Japan Corporation
- Assigned to Tsuruoka Plant, Machining Group
- Assigned to Smart Factory Group, Technical Development Department

Lingxuan. C

Thermal & Fluid Systems
Product Development Function
Kawagoe Office
Joined MAHLE in 2024

“The understanding of different cultures and diversity” brought me to join MAHLE
Through my life in Japan, I was exposed to the culture and the kindness of the people I met, and learned the importance of understanding different cultures and diversity. This experience let me want to work for a global company, and I decided to join MAHLE. I have opportunities to understand different cultures and diversity by communicating with colleagues in overseas offices. Additionally, I would like to keep developing my own international skills by immersing myself in a global environment.

Interesting design work with “planning skills” that I learned during graduate school
I am currently in charge of intake manifold design and drawing release in the product development department. For the drawing release, I issue drawings to be used in the production of products and distribute them to each department. Since the deadline for delivering the product to the customer is set in advance, it is necessary to work backwards from the delivery date to make a schedule. This is where I can use the planning skills I learned in the lab when I was a graduate student. The research also had a deadline, so it was important to plan and execute research. Sometimes it did not go as planned, so it was necessary to manage progress and prepare alternative plans. The moment that I can make use of the experience I gained in my graduate studies in my current job makes my work more interesting.

Challenges in a different field from graduate school
I specialized in biomedical engineering during my graduate studies, so when I joined MAHLE, I did not have enough knowledge of products and drawings for my work. However, if there is something I don't understand meanwhile I make progress on a project, my team members always teach me about product functions and drawings. In addition, the product development department to which I belong has a platform called "MAHLE Library" that consolidates product-related knowledge. I can use the platform to deepen my own understanding of the knowledge required for my work, and my team members give me a lecture using the resource. I believe that the amount of knowledge has increased dramatically from when I joined MAHLE, thanks to the team members and the use of the accumulated resources. I will continue to value my attitude toward learning and accept the challenge of creating products that will continue to be used around the world.

Lingxuan’s Career Path @ MAHLE
- Studied at Course of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering
- Joined MAHLE Japan Ltd.
- Assigned to Segment Air Intake, Product Development Asia1

Shoki. M

Thermal & Fluid Systems
Quality Management Function
Kawagoe Office
Joined MAHLE in 2023

Challenge to “create a system to maintain good quality” from a passion for automobiles
I have been interested in automobiles and longed to work in the automotive industry. I decided to join MAHLE as I wanted to work in the automotive industry and at a global company required English skills. After joining the company, I was assigned to the Quality Assurance Department, where my main tasks include managing ISO (*1) and IATF (*2) certifications, organizing internal and external audits, and preparing and sharing quality reports with domestic and overseas offices.
When I first joined the company, I did not have any knowledge regarding of international standards required at MAHLE, so I put a lot of efforts to understand my tasks. In addition, since my responsibilities involves the creation of a system for the entire company, I had to learn the knowledge about the work of other departments. However, motivated by my “passion for automobiles” I began to study the necessary knowledge from scratch with the support by the team members.
While there are a lot of things that I still need to learn, I am now entrusted with a variety of tasks both in Japan and overseas, and I am involved in creating a system that maintains the same quality regardless of the environment in which the products are manufactured.

*1: International standards for products
*2: International standard for quality management systems in the automotive industry

Attractive to work with discretion from the first year at MAHLE
I can work with teamwork and discretion. Most of the tasks are done in teams, but each team member has a lot of discretion and can experience a variety of tasks from the first year at MAHLE. For example, I feel rewarded when a team member agrees with my idea that I proposed in a team meeting and it is reflected in my work. It also motivates me to make an effort to contribute to my work!
It is also attractive that we have many company and union-sponsored events to promote teamwork. At these events, I am able to interact with people from other departments, which gives me the opportunity to gain new insights into my work and workstyle, as well as a place where I can casually ask for advice about my work.

My next goal is to be “a person with the most knowledge in my team members”
I find it interesting to work in quality assurance where I can gain new knowledge and awareness every day. While I am currently involved in management work for the international standards, I would like to obtain a certification as an internal auditor for the next step. Therefore, I would like to continue to contribute knowledge to obtain the certification for the acquisition work. In addition, since I am working with the support of team members, my goal is to acquire knowledge equal to or better than that of them and to become the best partner so that we can complement each other in our work.

Typical Working Day
08:00AM Work begins
08:30AM Preparation of documents for internal audits
12:00PM Lunch break
01:00PM Summary of quality ratings provided by customers
04:00PM Participation in quality reporting meetings with MAHLE's overseas offices
05:30PM Work ends

Shoki’s Career Path @ MAHLE
- Studied at Faculty of Engineering
- Joined MAHLE Japan Ltd.
- Assigned to Administration Group, Quality Management Asia1

Midori. S

Powertrain & Charging
Production Planning Function
Tsuruoka Plant
Joined MAHLE in 2025

The moment when something “familiar” became my career
Because my grandfather was involved in managing an automobile plant, I grew up in an environment where cars were always a part of everyday life. After obtaining my driver’s license, my world expanded through driving, and I came to realize firsthand how essential cars are in supporting people’s daily lives. As I accumulated these experiences, I gradually began to think that I wanted to pursue a career related to the automotive industry. When I learned about MAHLE, I was attracted by its global environment, where people with diverse backgrounds work together, as well as its commitment to creating a workplace where employees can work with peace of mind over the long term, which led me to decide to join the company.
After joining MAHLE, I have had many opportunities to work with colleagues from overseas locations, gaining new perspectives through exposure to different cultures and ways of thinking in my daily work. In addition, one of the appealing aspects of the workplace is the cafeteria at the Tsuruoka Plant, where we can enjoy delicious lunches. This simple daily enjoyment has become one of my motivations for approaching my work with a positive attitude.

Learning and taking on challenges on a larger scale than student life
I belong to the Production Control Group, where I am responsible for creating weekly production plans for products manufactured at our plant, as well as managing production progress, inventory levels, and delivery schedules. The role of production control requires ensuring that products are delivered precisely when customers need them, which involves constant adjustment of production plans based on changing conditions. For this reason, it is an important position that directly supports the company’s reliability and trust.
When I first joined the company, I sometimes felt overwhelmed by the scale of the work, which was very different from what I had experienced as a student. However, by consulting with my team members, supervisors, and colleagues on the production lines whenever I had questions, I have gradually deepened my understanding of the work. Thanks to the daily learning opportunities and the support of those around me, I am now able to create production plans that make it easier for on-site staff to work, and to share my ideas with the production floor to keep operations moving smoothly. When production progresses according to plan, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment and experience the unique satisfaction that comes with this role.

Aiming to become a trusted member while expanding what I can do
Through my first year at the company, I feel that I have steadily built a solid understanding of the workflow and fundamental thinking required for production control. At the same time, there are still moments when decision-making can be challenging, and I continue to realize the importance of listening carefully to the perspectives of those around me.
Looking ahead, my goal is to be able to quickly and accurately determine how much my assigned production line should operate in order to maintain appropriate inventory levels. To achieve this, I aim to practice production control that is grounded not only in numerical data, but also in the voices and realities of the production site. By doing so, I hope to grow into a production control professional whom the people on the production floor can trust and feel confident saying, “I’m glad we left this to you.”

Typical Working Day
08:30AM Work begins
09:00AM Checking production volumes
10:00AM Confirming delivery schedules for received orders
11:00AM Checking inventory levels and production-in-progress status
12:00PM Lunch break
01:00PM Meeting with the team members
02:00PM Creating production plans
03:00PM Reviewing and adjusting production plans
04:00PM Confirming delivery schedules for customer orders
05:15PM Work ends

Midori’s Career Path @ MAHLE
- Studied in IT Accounting and Business
- Joined MAHLE Engine Components Japan Corporation
- Assigned to Production Planning Function

Zommara. M

Thermal & Fluid Systems
Product Development Function
Takanezawa Technical Center
Joined MAHLE in 2023

The appeal of MAHLE vision and strategy
In my previous position as an engineer and project manager for a global OEM, I gained experience communicating with domestic and international teams and OEMs. In my daily work, I witnessed the automotive industry's rapid transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). I decided to join MAHLE because of its clear vision for the future of electric vehicles and its proactive and transparent strategy as a global company.

MAHLE culture that encourages open communication
Currently, as a Thermal Management Module developer, I am responsible for a variety of tasks, including design and development, direct communication with customers, project management, and strategic collaboration with suppliers. The most interesting part of my job is the global and cross-functional collaboration. Working on projects with members from different backgrounds allows me to incorporate ideas and expertise from different perspectives. MAHLE also has a flat organizational structure that encourages open communication with members and Management Board. This environment allows me to solve potential problems and broaden my own perspectives.

Challenges to carbon neutrality and environmental protection
My goal is to continue to challenge myself to contribute to solutions that achieve carbon neutrality and protect the environment for the next generation. To that end, I intend to use my current work to develop the skills and experience necessary to lead a team focused on breakthrough projects and technologies for the next generation of vehicles.

Pommu Durai Kumar. P

Thermal & Fluid Systems
Product Development Function
Kawagoe Office
Joined MAHLE in 2019

A friend at MAHLE inspired my decision to move to Japan
I had the opportunity to hear about MAHLE’s work culture and career development opportunities from a friend who works at the company. The systematic work processes designed to support employees, along with seeing how energetically my friend worked, left an impression on me and gradually strengthened my desire to work at MAHLE. This motivated me to pursue a position at MAHLE and ultimately decide to move to Japan.
I was also attracted by the company’s flexible work style, emphasis on work life balance, and the supportive systems in place for employees. After joining MAHLE, I found that the workplace environment and way of working matched my expectations, providing a comfortable and open environment where I feel at ease sharing my ideas and experiences.

Meaningful work that supports my growth and a team that supports one another
I am working as a senior supervisor in segment of air intake department, where I am involved in the development of intake manifolds and fuel cell related products. Through product development, I gain technical insights and new perspectives by communicating closely with my team members. In addition, even during periods when workloads or circumstances change, I am able to work smoothly thanks to a team environment where knowledge and information are shared and members support one another.
At the same time, I have opportunities to work closely with MAHLE’s overseas locations. One example is my involvement in managing a project to transfer specific operations from the Japan site to the Thailand site. While working with colleagues from different cultural and professional backgrounds, I place great importance on understanding and respecting their ways of working, and on carefully aligning perspectives through continuous communication. Through the accumulation of these experiences, I continue to develop the communication skills required to collaborate smoothly with team members across diverse cultures.

Becoming an engineer who shapes future mobility through continuous learning
My goal is to contribute to the future mobility by being involved as an engineer in the development of electrification and fuel cell related products. To achieve this, I am currently pursuing a master’s program in Automotive Electronics while continuing my work at MAHLE. By moving back and forth between practical work and academic study, I aim to steadily deepen the technical understanding required for product development.

Fumiko. S

Lifecycle & Mobility
Operations & Business Excellence Function
Tokyo Office
Joined MAHLE in 2024

MAHLE Vision for the future of ICE - embracing the “Last Man Standing” strategy
At a time when many automotive companies are accelerating their shift toward electrification, MAHLE is pursuing a dual approach. While continuing to develop products that support electrification, the company has also made a clear commitment to continue developing and supplying internal combustion engine (ICE) products until engine-powered vehicles no longer exist worldwide.
This stance, symbolized by the term “Last Man Standing,” reflects a responsible strategy that looks beyond short-term trends and considers the entire product lifecycle. I was deeply drawn to the company's belief in delivering value to customers and society until the very end, and it became a key reason for my decision to join the company.

Leveraging experience to drive operational improvement and standardization
The skills I developed in my previous role such as cross-functional communication, the eight-step problem-solving approach, and hands-on training methodologies are directly applicable to my work at MAHLE today.
While managing order processing operations, I also take the lead in identifying operational challenges and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with team members, I focus on logistics optimization, including collaboration with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), to explore more efficient and effective operating models.
In addition, I am involved in initiatives across the global MAHLE organization, such as business process standardization and data preparation for core enterprise systems. Within the Lifecycle and Mobility business, the number of new projects continues to grow each year, creating an environment defined by constant change and challenge. I find strong motivation in discussing issues with stakeholders, developing solutions, and turning those ideas into action.

As my colleagues engage with me, I strive to engage with them
At MAHLE, colleagues genuinely listen to individual perspectives and engage with one another openly and constructively. There is a strong culture of sharing insights as soon as issues are identified and discussing them candidly. When mistakes occur, the focus is not on blame, but on clearly articulating how we can improve, and it leads to an approach that directly supports my professional growth.
Thanks to this environment, I place great importance on how I engage with those around me. When working with other departments, I am mindful of differences in viewpoints and decision-making criteria, and I make a conscious effort to align on objectives and assumptions upfront. When communicating with colleagues at overseas locations, primarily through email and chat, I try to go beyond task-based exchanges by incorporating small informal conversations to reduce any sense of distance. Building trust across physical and cultural boundaries is one of the aspects that makes working at MAHLE especially meaningful to me.