Product Engineer Plastics
SUMMARY
The Product Engineer will lead the development of many different types of exterior trim products such as Body Side moldings, Grilles, Fog lamp bezels, Fender vents and have a good working knowledge injection molding polymers such as ABS, ABS+PC, ASA, ASA+PC,PP, TPO, TPE.
The product engineer will take the program from inception through launch which will include design and development of the product, attend the customer PDT meetings, keep track of program open issues, create and be responsible for GD&T, DFMEA, and DVP&R.
Though not a supervisory position, the Product Engineer will provide professional engineering assistance and consultation to other engineers, designers and departments on technical matters. This candidate will need to be able to work in a multinational, multicultural global setting.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Works with OEM or Tier One to consult in the development process to ensure that the product meets all requirements of the customer specifications, manufacturability, tooling feasibility and quality objectives.
- Resolve issues, technical problems through application of product knowledge of exterior chrome and painted trim, engineering education, knowledge of industry practice and an awareness of new technologies.
- Responsible for supporting all technical base processes including, Project timing, DVP, DFMEA, VA/VE, Benchmarking, APQP, IMDS, Packaging, General tooling and assembly.
- Provides professional engineering assistance & consultation to other departments on technical matters relating to Exterior and Interior components with support to the sales and Cost estimation on assigned basis.
- Organizes technical projects (program requests, cost estimates, program plans, etc.). Evaluates alternatives and initiates activities necessary to meet project objectives within a time and monetary budget. Reports weekly on progress and workload status.
- Directs and coordinates projects, with guidance from supervisor and Lead engineers, from design through production start-up, including prototype build, testing and establishment to specifications to achieve required performance and reliability, manufacturability and market competitiveness. Interprets specifications and provides technical direction to design and tooling teams. Coordinates with other departments for an orderly transition of the project and has first article approval authority.
- Documents technical aspects of assigned projects and ensures that data is properly retained. Visits customers with Sales or Senior Engineering personnel on an assigned basis.
- Recommends design approaches and solutions to technical problems directly to customers on routine matters and obtains assistance from peers, other departments and engineering management on critical issues.
- Track Open Issues.
- Track program against budget.
- Support gate review process.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor degree in Engineering or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in the field or related area.
- Knowledge of injection molding materials (ABS, ABS+PC, ASA, ASA+PC, PP, TPO, TPE plastics) desirable.
- Experience in automotive exterior type components with Chrome, paint, plastic injection, two shot injection.
- Strong technical ability with knowledge of materials and manufacturing and assembly processes.
- Ability to work CAD software to review data, compare data, cut section etc.
- Strong working knowledge of GD&T, DFMEA’s, DVP&Rs.
- Experience in Chrome a plus.
- Experience with OEM’s like Nissan, VW, BMW a plus.
- Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Project and Outlook.
- Ability to work in a global environment coordinating between North America, China and Mexico.
- A high level of self-motivation and bias for action.
- Strong communications, presentation and organization skills.
- Ability to directly interact with customers while providing a professional image.
- Good interpersonal skills.