Machine Design Engineer

Primary Function:

Supports the Plant Engineering Manager with design, quality and technical support for new machinery and equipment design concepts and analysis.

Specific Duties:

• Serves as the Plant Machine Design Engineer. Responsible for design of new manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and retrofits for existing equipment.
• Proposes plant machine improvement projects. Coordinates the development of machine capital plan and cost projections for submission and consideration in the plant’s annual capital budget.
• Designs prototype equipment for testing and coordinates and oversees the building of machine components and assembly operations. Provides technical support, assistance and direction for the PLP Machining team for these projects.
• Supports plant manufacturing teams by playing an active role in process improvement initiatives, machine problem solving, supporting Lean initiatives, and providing day to day support for production with machine redesign, retrofit design and other improvements to enhance manufacturing capabilities, efficiencies and product quality.
• Acts as a key liaison between operations, maintenance, safety, and management to ensure successful start-ups and transitions for large scale new machine installation, testing and implementation and other key engineering initiatives. Works with the plant manufacturing leadership and engineering staff to ensure they are in tune with new key initiatives.
• Attends other key regular plant meetings such as the engineering meeting, machine build meeting, and production meeting to ensure that machine support and resources are available to assist and support where needed and to stay in touch with current production cycles, problems and needs.
• The Machine Design Engineer is expected to demonstrate strong machine design capabilities, project management skills, problem solving skills, cost and budget management skills, communications skills and machine fabrication skills.
• Takes a proactive position in communicating on key projects as needed with plant leadership.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience: Should possess a minimum of bachelor’s level engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. Should have a minimum of 5 years of prior work experience in an engineering machine design support role in a manufacturing environment. Prior work experience must demonstrate strong project management leadership and creative design skills with hands-on experience with machining and machine fabrication. Prior experience in a machine design team leader role would be a plus.

Knowledge of: Should have a solid background in using CAD systems in designing manufacturing equipment with a preference for a Creo software background. Must have a strong understanding of machine design techniques, PLC controls, electronics, robotics, electrical, and hydraulic systems. Should be well versed in machining operations and machine fabrication processes including, molds, jigs and fixtures and related machining operations. Should have good working knowledge of project management systems and have strong general project management skills. Should have prior experience working in an engineering team environment with experience collaborating on joint projects with other team members.

Skill in: Should have excellent problem solving and analytical skills. Should possess good general financial understanding and have good analytical skills relating to costs and general plant metrics. Should possess excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard plant and office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions, strength to lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.