Production Engineer

Company Information:

Toyota-Denso Automotive Compressor Georgia, Inc. (TACG), established in 2004, is a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). TICO is a leading global manufacturer of automobile parts and assemblies, material handling equipment, and provider of logistics solutions. TACG specializes in the manufacturing of automobile air conditioning compressors.

TACG is based in Pendergrass, Georgia. This position is on-site at TACG 1000 Valentine industrial Parkway, Pendergrass GA 30657.

Department Purpose:

To effectively lead department associates to execute daily production operations and apply TPS, 5S, JIT, and other Lean Manufacturing methods under a continuous improvement (Kaizen) philosophy. The Production Engineering Department focuses on the study of design, manufacturing processes and management of products; as well as optimizing production to maintain safety, quality, and make the process efficient and economical.

Position Purpose:

Effectively plan and coordinate activities associated with equipment maintenance, tooling, and production engineering with other departments and functions. Serve as a subject matter expert in TACG production engineering field.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Evaluate manufacturing processes for cost effectiveness and feasibility, prior to and after engineering releases to manufacturing.
• Lead Kaizen (improvement) and cost reduction activities and projects.
• Coordinate all engineering releases and changes relative to routings, setting standards, data entry, and follow-up with quality control in mind to meet customer requirements.
• Utilize CAD software applications in the design and development of equipment and parts drawings, including 3-D imaging and motion for process simulation.
• Required to understand and work with Machining process (Process design, Project Management), Robotics, geometric tolerances and various other engineering studies.
• Determine priorities with the Production Engineering Supervisor maintaining detailed documentation as required.
• Investigate, justify, purchase, and track company assets.
• Partner with the Production Engineering Supervisor to oversee the construction of all tooling, assuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct layouts and review of all necessary construction of plant expansion or alterations, including the coordination of external contractors.
• Responsible for cost reducing projects regarding cost per piece reduction initiatives.
• Responsible for the fabrication of specialized tools.
• Support tool Kaizen improvements to reduce equipment cycle time and maintenance costs.
• Coordinate and have responsibility for the documentation of all new tools (e.g. CAD files, SolidWorks and AutoCAD files etc.).
• Engineer will also assist maintenance team in all tool and equipment related improvements.
• Serve as a Project Manager or support with tooling engineer with responsibility for successful tool project implementations and safe working environment.

Qualifications, Education, Experience, & Abilities:

• Four-year degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Electrical Engineering required with 2-5 years working experience in manufacturing or production engineering (machining) is preferred.
• Working experience with computer numerical control (CNC) equipment and knowledge of cutting, cutting tools, and cutting methods is strongly preferred.
• Capability of electrical/mechanical design and analysis.
• Good understanding of general safety, health, and environmental policies.
• Ability to assimilate and analyze data and present management a complete framework for decision making.

Levels I – II

• 4 Year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited College or University.
• 2+ years of Toyota Industries Group experience or 5+ years of equivalent experience.

• Monitors, tracks and facilitates project schedules, status, non-conformities and budgets.
• Interacts with other departments to implement projects and improvements
• Supports special request/projects, typically at department level
• Consults with higher-level engineer and/or manager on most tasks. Prioritize own job responsibilities with some assistance, adheres to urgency of providing information and seeks advice when necessary. 
• Analyzes current processes and identifies activities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and exceed customer expectations. Makes recommendations to management and implement approved changes.
• Complete appropriate paperwork and follows documentation process in order to summarize issues.
• Adheres & complies with organizational, divisional and departmental policies/procedures. Works towards obtaining goals and objectives, maintaining confidentiality.
• Performs duties as assigned.
• Can provide guidance to other Engineer I.

• Capable of leading major projects. Reports projects and work status in an effective manner to team members and management. Management should easily be able to understand current project status.
• Consults with higher-level engineer and/or manager on some tasks. Prioritizes own job responsibilities, adheres to urgency of providing information and seeks advice when necessary.
• Can accurately calculate ROI and make recommendations to management & implement approved changes.
• Complete appropriate paperwork and follows documentation process in order to effectively summarize issues, countermeasures and results. Maintains an accurate record to utilize in solving similar problems in the future.
• Gives general guidance to other Engineers.
• Requires some level of supervision and most work is subject to review
• Successfully addresses and completes pieces/aspects of a project or plan
• Assists in resolving simple concerns/inquires
• Assists by applying concepts from the area of specialization to accomplish daily assigned tasks
• Demonstrates basic understanding of relevant professional knowledge
• G&Os will be focused on training for year 1 and then focused on department G&O items
• Applies the PDCA Cycle to daily work processes
• Is involved in department schedules and budget completion
• Is familiar with and applies continuous improvement, kaizen, and standardization practices
• Promote and foster activities and communication to create and maintain good associate morale
• Set example and confirm associates adhere to safety rules, regulations and procedures
• Promote Kaizen activities, SEQDCM, lead team members on department G&O’s

Levels III - IV

• 4 Year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited College or University.
• 4 Years of Toyota Industries Group experience or 10+ years of equivalent experience.

• Supports less experienced engineers in setting priorities, responsibilities and enhancing skills.
• Actively pursuing improved ways to document engineering processes to improve effectiveness, efficiency and training or information sharing for all engineers.

• Acting as a project manager overseeing higher-level projects from start to finish.

• Supporting less experienced engineers without overseeing/managing their day to day.
• Performs work that is varied and more difficult in partnership with department leadership and external customers
• Demonstrates strong awareness of important elements of other departments
• Accomplishes complex projects and larger projects
• Receives minimal guidance on aspects or areas outside primary discipline
• Participate and/or lead in cross-functional teams; actively communicates with key stakeholders
• Works on G&Os as they relate to department G&Os and cover area where experience is more prevalent
• Applies the PDCA cycle to daily work processes & aspects of TICO Drive & Dedication
• Is involved in department schedules and budget completion
• Independently applies continuous improvement, kaizen and standardization practices.
• Promote and foster activities and communication to create and maintain good associate morale
• Set example and confirm associates adhere to safety rules, regulations and procedures
• Promote kaizen activities, SEQDCM, lead team members on department G&O’s.

Physical Requirements:

• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. 
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move at least 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

The job demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.

It is intended to be a reflection of those principal job elements essential for recruitment and selection, for making fair job evaluations and for establishing performance standards.  The percentage of time spent performing the various job duties are not absolute.  The incumbent shall perform all other functions and/or be cross trained as shall be determined by the sole discretion of management, who has the right to amend, modify, or terminate this job in part or in whole. This document is not a contract for employment.

Toyota-Denso Automotive Compressor Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Employer