Technical Project Engineer

Summary: Deep thinking, natural problem solver who serves as frontline technical resource for entire organization. This individual has an innate love for manufacturing and constantly seeks new challenges to overcome, using a combination of their strong foundation in sound engineering theory and practical hands-on experience. Serves as technical lead on the project from initial quotation, through process and product development, acts as subject matter expert on continuous improvement projects, and provides ongoing support throughout the product life cycle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Has primary responsibility for developing products, processes, tooling, programming, etc.in support of customer onboarding efforts; serves as primary technical problem solver for the organization for specific projects
• Works with outside vendors to specify and source tooling (weld fixtures, check fixtures, bend tooling, stamping dies, machining and assembly fixtures, other specialized tooling and equipment); works with vendor and internal team to manage design concept approval process, provides feedback and suggests changes when necessary; develops sourcing strategy that falls within overall project constraints of budget and lead time; develops tooling to deliver dimensionally accurate parts and capable process
• Develops programs for CNC equipment (tube benders, machining centers, welding and material handling robots); seeks opportunities to optimize processes for reduced cycle time or scrap/rework rates; provides advanced-level troubleshooting and support for production
• Produces designs for internally manufactured tooling; references customer prints and specifications, considers requirements of upstream and downstream processes, and consults with internal stakeholders to ensure tooling performs as required; creates detail prints and specifications for manufacturing of tooling; works with outside vendors to generate quotations for tooling
• Serves as a subject matter expert in one or more core capabilities (tube bending, welding, robotics/automation, machining, tooling and fixtures, etc.); seeks opportunities for further training and education; stays abreast of latest technological developments and industry trends
• Assists in preparation of quotations; suggests appropriate processes for manufacturing based on end user requirements and tolerances, efficiency, manufacturing capability, labor utilization, etc.; estimates cycle times for process steps; researches and provides recommendations on new equipment or capabilities; generates prints and models for outsourced component parts; estimates tooling requirements and cost
• Provides feedback on design for manufacturability, makes recommendations for design changes which reduce cost or improve quality
• Provides technical guidance to production operations, uses engineering principles to assist in resolution of day-to-day manufacturing issues
• Recommends methods to continuously improve worker efficiency and reducing waste of materials and utilities such as restructuring job duties, reorganizing workflow, relocating work stations and equipment, and purchase of equipment and provides training where needed; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Assists Project Manager in development of project plans; provides regular communication on changes and progress
• Researches and provides recommendations on capital equipment purchases, works with outside vendors to solicit quotes, prepares criteria for successful implementation
• Controls expenditures within limitations of the project budget, alerts management if cost exceed budget and why this has occurred.
• Plans, communicates, and develops test programs for prototypes.
• Analyzes test data and reports to determine if designs meet functional and performance specifications provides feedback and discussion for same.
• Analyzes, evaluates, sources, and coordinates the procurement of new materials to support model changes communicates information to the shop floor.
• Reviews product design for compliance with engineering principles, company standards, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Coordinates activities concerned with technical developments, scheduling, and resolving engineering design and test problems.
• Direct integration of technical activities and products.
• Uses computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering and design tasks.
• Generates and performs periodic updates on BOMs in manufacturing ERP system

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in engineering or related field; and/or hands-on tool and die, machinist, welding, metal fabrication, or comparable shop floor experience ; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of common processes used in manufacturing and metal fabrication

• General understanding of Lean Manufacturing Concepts
• Knowledge of commonly used problem-solving methodologies
• Design and maintenance of tooling and fixtures
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficient in use of 3D CAD systems (Inventor), CAM programming, project management software, MS Office products,
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Ability to synthesize complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions.
• Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Interprets and understands complex design drawings, layouts, tolerance stack-ups, verbal design instructions, and applying geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T).
• Displays willingness to make timely decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Ability to work with CNC machines.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen, frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The work schedule for this classification is full-time. Incumbents must work a full-time (40) hours or more per week schedule.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to normal indoor air-conditioned temperatures and may be exposed to non-air-conditioned areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate where hearing protection is necessary based on OSHA requirements. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee should expect to split their time 50/50 between the office and shop floor, with more shop floor time occasionally required for specific projects

Travel Requirements

Occasional overnight travel to customer and supplier locations as needed may be required.