Design Engineer

Design Engineer

Position Purpose:

Position is responsible for developing and drafting drawings of die layouts, review specifications, develop tooling designs and define manufacturing process to form complete forgings, while consulting with customers, vendors and others to determine and formulate estimates and resolve issues.   

Essential Functions:

·         Design tooling to meet products specifications;

·         Perform tool qualification and assessment;

·         Participate in design reviews;

·         Perform Design for Manufacturability;

·         Implement cost effective tool design changes;

·         Collaborate with other team members during tool qualification, sampling and final part approval;

·         Develop manufacturing processes by studying product requirements including but not limited to researching, designing, modifying, testing manufacturing methods and equipment;

·         Improve manufacturing efficiency by analyzing tooling and process;

·         Generate and implement cost reduction ideas;

·         Prepare estimates of new forging requirements such as tolerances, machining requirements, die steel sizing, and forging model proposals as requested by the customer;

• Develop and maintain design standards;
• Maintain complete project records in assigned locations;
• Improve designs whenever possible; including safety, quality, assembly & service ease, and cost considerations;
• Adhere to project release due dates;
• Ensure designs meet customer specifications and expectations. Customers could be both external and internal;
• Assist in design review and continuous improvement meetings;
• Draft drawings of die layouts as necessary to form complete forgings;
• Analyze drawings, sketches, and design data of part to determine material requirements (die blocks, inserts, etc.), dimension;
• Determine number of dies and types of die sets required to produce complete part based on knowledge of die forming processes and machines;
• Create drawings, documentation and CAD models of forgings, sufficient for manufacture of the die and production parts;
• Supervise the coordination of resources;
• Troubleshoot, assist, and direct Tool & Die employees with technical problem solving;
• Consult with customers, vendors and other individuals to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues;
• Review data to determine material and process requirements;
• Observe sampling of newly developed die sets in production machine to determine needs to redesign and readiness for production use;
• Actively participate in efforts to establish and promote a safe and healthy work environment. Follow policies, programs, and procedures for the reduction and elimination of work related accidents and provide feedback to promote safer work behaviors and conditions.

Education and Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering and/or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Background in mechanics and materials a plus;
• Solid physics-based background preferred;
• Proficiency in CAD, PRO-E and Solidworks required.

• 0-3 years’ experience in mechanical or manufacturing engineering. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Detailed-oriented, team player with an analytical mind, and good problem-solving capabilities;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Good time management, ability to multi-task, prioritize work and provide timely feed-back to management;
• Self-motivated, self-starter, ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and demanding environment with a flexible approach towards changing work methods, deadlines, and variable workloads;
• Strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail;
• Ability to work under pressure and to deliver to tight deadlines;
• Ability to work assigned shift and remain awake and alert during assigned shift is required;
• Reporting to work for assigned shift, maintaining a physical presence and performing assigned work for the duration of assigned shift is required;
• Strong mathematical skills, proficient with Excel.

Physical Demands:

• Knowledge of materials, specifications, and tolerances;
• Strong problem solving abilities;
• Ability to read, comprehend, and follow instructions, drawings, specifications and technical documents;
• Ability to comprehend and apply principles of advanced algebra, trigonometry and geometry;
• Ability to keep accurate records;
• Ability to analyze and diagnose problems and/or non-conformance in processes and products and coordinate corrective action;
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to schedules;
• Ability to work safely and keep area clean;
• Ability to organize work according to schedule and load;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently and under some pressure in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines;
• Good verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills. Able to communicate clearly, concisely and achieve intended objective;
• Strong leadership skills to develop an effective team environment;
• Ability to work assigned shift and remain awake and alert during assigned shift is required;
• Reporting to work for assigned shift, maintaining a physical presence and performing assigned work for the duration of assigned shift is required;
• Ability to work in a variety of environments which may include exposure to extreme heat, humidity, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, loud noise, and all weather conditions.

Environmental Conditions:

Office environment

Behavioral Traits:

• Creativity: Ability to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy and quality in every aspect of their work.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills, using data and critical thinking to evaluate designs and troubleshoot issues.
• Collaboration: Willingness to work with cross-functional teams, sharing ideas and integrating feedback from various stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Flexibility in adjusting designs based on new information, technology, or changing project requirements.
• Technical Proficiency: In-depth understanding of engineering principles and proficiency in design software and tools.
• Communication Skills: Ability to convey complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, facilitating better collaboration.
• Project Management: Skills in organizing tasks, managing timelines, and prioritizing work to meet project deadlines effectively.
• Curiosity: A desire to learn and stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Resilience: Capability to handle setbacks and criticism constructively, using them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

These traits enable design engineers to create effective, innovative solutions while collaborating well within their teams and organizations