Summary:
The Senior Process and Equipment Engineer is responsible for improving existing and developing new membrane and element manufacturing and test equipment and processes. The successful candidate will use lean thinking, and statistical and robust engineering methodologies to develop new and improve existing equipment and improve existing processes that improve factory capabilities, reduce scrap and setup, and improve plant throughput.
Essential Functions
- Investigate and resolve problems in production including troubleshooting equipment and process problems:
- Regularly monitor equipment and process performance to ensure operations meet safety, quality, and capacity/cycle time requirements.
- Solve problems using structured problem-solving methods. (ex: Ishikawa/fishbone, Six Sigma, A3, PDCA, root cause analysis, etc.)
- Perform data mining and data analysis.
- Perform root cause analysis of element and membrane product defects and implement short-term containment/workarounds and long-term solutions.
- Assist maintenance personnel as required with troubleshooting and repair of equipment including reading and interpreting electrical schematics and manufacturers' documentation related to plant equipment and plant facilities equipment maintenance.
- Design, build, and qualify new production and test equipment and processes:
- Analyze existing capacity and make recommendations for process and equipment improvements to maximize capacity, productivity, and throughput.
- Define and conduct engineering tests for experimental data collection.
- Define, select, and develop new or modified processing concepts.
- Develop and execute new equipment build, existing equipment modification, and test and acceptance plans.
- Oversee and drive associated projects into manufacturing through the change control board, documentation, and training.
- Compile and evaluate test data to determine appropriate limits and variables (CTQs) for process or material specifications. Perform materials characterization.
- Evaluate product performance and opportunities for improvement.
- Collaborate with R&D and Operations to take product and equipment improvements from concept to production.
- Engage with and assist other professional staff including Finance, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, and Quality.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced rapidly changing environment.
- Other duties as assigned.
Position Qualifications/Education and Experience:
- B.S. (M.S. preferred) in an Engineering discipline plus 8+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Record of defining and managing manufacturing equipment and process improvement projects to completion. Ability to influence and facilitate process and behavior change.
- Proficiency with mechanical design packages (Solidworks, AutoCAD, etc.)
- Parts and equipment fabrication experience (machining, fabrication, electrical and mechanical assembly, welding, electrical box build)
- Strong project management skills
- Proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
