Location: Macungie,PA, USA
About the Position
Manufacturing Tooling and Equipment Engineering is responsible for supporting current and future assembly operations with all required tools and equipment. Our duty is to provide solutions that facilitate safe and efficient assembly, while building quality into the entire company Trucks class 8 product line. The team works closely with process engineers, safety and ergonomic experts, logistic engineers, production technicians, production leaders, maintenance technicians, and purchasing team – this cross functional collaboration is vital to bringing world-class tools to our operations. The group works to develop and deploy several types of solutions - fastening tools, lifting systems (crane systems and below-the-hook fixtures), material supply carts, fixtures, assembly aids, hand tools, and automated equipment. The Senior Tooling & Equipment Engineer role is very dynamic - it requires efficient communication with stakeholders and good prioritization and planning skills.
This position is located at the company Trucks Cab and Vehicle Assembly plant in Macungie, PA, also known as company Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO). Due to the necessity for face-to-face interaction with stakeholders on the factory floor and in the office, and the need to be able to observe assembly processes in person, the qualified candidate will not be able to work remotely.
Main activities and responsibilities for this role
• Design and procure tools for cab and vehicle assembly in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, gather inputs and work as a team - fastening tools, lifting systems (crane systems and below-the-hook fixtures), material supply carts, fixtures, jigs, assembly aids, hand tools
• Benchmark existing equipment from other company facilities and copy for use in other facilities
• Implement tooling and equipment with a “zero disturbance” mindset in operations – zero safety issues, zero quality issues, zero un-planned downtime - promote manufacturing safety, ergonomics, and efficiency.
• Apply tooling and maintenance standards and best practices when designing, re-designing, or purchasing new equipment for cab and vehicle assembly – utilize previous learnings to maximize equipment reliability and availability
• Active participation in new product development to give inputs on tooling solutions and interface to product – mitigate risk by developing tooling concurrently with product design.
• Participate in major industrial projects – investigation, planning, design, execution, startup – act as the technical expert for equipment installations and work to implement cost-effective solutions that meet production, quality, and safety needs – these solutions can be developed and built in-house or sourced with purchasing team – as needed, provide guidance to project management teams on budget and timeframe of tooling implementation for new product introduction and major industrial projects.
• Support EEM projects and design reviews throughout equipment development – secure the tooling and maintenance deliverables are met and escalate issues to project leader.
• Actively participate in all pillars of company Performance System (MPS) with special involvement in Safety, Quality, and Cost Deployment focus areas.
• Perform kaizen and use MPS problem solving tools in PDCA cycle – this is done with engineering, production, and maintenance teams to develop long term solutions to problems with existing equipment in the factory.
• React to issues impacting production with a sense of urgency, promptly assessing the issue, developing a feasible action plan, and following it through to successful completion.
• Participation in the global engineering networks to develop optimal process and tool designs across all company Group Trucks Operations (GTO) sites; work collaboratively with production engineering team to implement GTO standards and best practices in the plant in line with the One Factory concept.
• Coach and train junior tooling engineers to build competency in the designated competence or technical area.
Critical competencies and experience
• Displays professional behavior, positive attitude, and proactive mindset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to manage change in a fast-paced environment - proven experience taking initiative, driving improvements, taking additional responsibilities, thinking outside the box, and going the extra mile.
• Problem Solving/Decision Making: Taking a well-ordered approach to solving problems and acting despite obstacles, resistance, or ambiguity - possesses strong analytical skills and demonstrated focus on process and Lean Manufacturing concepts
• Proven ability to review and apply technical specifications and requirements to the tooling and equipment – experience writing Requests for Information (RFI), requests for quotation (RFQ), and working with vendors on developing optimal solutions for company GTO.
• Proven ability to develop and/or source solutions that are in line with company Trucks core values, using company Performance System (MPS) and company Operations Concept (VOC) principles as the foundation of all work.
• Basic project management knowledge is desired