Basic Purpose
This position is responsible for providing comprehensive process engineering direction and support to achieve tactical and strategic manufacturing capability objectives; the position plans, designs, develops, leads and implements projects to incorporate new manufacturing equipment, facilities, processes and technologies, and drives the continuous improvement of existing manufacturing processes.
Principal Accountabilities
- Provide technical assistance to plant operations to facilitate the resolution of manufacturing and process engineering issues; assist with the development of plans to meet current and future needs.
- Develop and document manufacturing process specifications.
- Develop repeatable manufacturing processes using data to back the direction Accuride is heading.
- Help with or assist with the programming and or control of robotics automation.
- Utilize Mastercam and other engineering 3-D modeling packages to develop process improvements.
- Work closely with quality engineers to ensure Accuride’s process is maintaining stability.
- Manage engineering projects from the specification development, quotation, vendor selection, design, installation and production start-up phases of projects.
- Prepare capital expenditure appropriation requests, including detailed engineering analysis and justification, as needed.
- Propose, develop and implement manufacturing process improvements by equipment modification, tooling redesign and/or process changes.
- Interpret manufacturing equipment specifications and develop appropriate operational practices.
- Research, develop, propose and implement the application of new manufacturing technologies to drive the continuous improvement of current operations and support future corporate-wide strategic capability objectives.
- Analyze new product designs for manufacturing feasibility and process definition and provide technical assistance to operations and product engineering in the development of new products.
- Produce measurable improvements relative to budget in reducing costs, cycle times, and waste while improving total quality performance on a sustainable basis.
- Design fixtures and/or tooling for new products and co-manage the procurement process for existing or redesigned products.
Required Skills, Education, and Experience
- Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology (Mechanical preferred).
- Five (5) years of manufacturing engineering experience working in support of a high-volume production forging, spin-forming, coating/paint applications and/or CNC machining operation; prior work in a unionized environment desirable.
- Strong analytical and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and applicable engineering and design software.
- Demonstrated ability and experience in the development of CNC machining processes in the (aluminum) wheel, automotive or related industry.
- In-depth practical and engineering knowledge of forging, spin-forming, heat treating and/or CNC manufacturing equipment and related tooling processes.
- Proven Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma skills desired; working knowledge of ISO/IATF 16949 quality systems a definite plus.
- Operational understanding of PLC controls, robotics, and automation systems.
- Effective interpersonal communication skills with all organizational levels; proven ability to provide training and participate on and/or lead cross-functional teams.