JOB DESCRIPTION
Basic Responsibilities
Provides front-line technical customer interface for entire program. Manages the design and processes for a specific project, program or product line to meet current and future needs. Provides technical leadership, develops the technical skills, knowledge and provides technical direction of the engineers and designers on the team. Develops and provides resolution to customer technical issues through Trim Chief Engineer and/or Technical Experts. Core member of Simultaneous Development Team (SDT).
Provides technical direction to engineers, designers, and support personnel. Approves all technical issues and works with team to ensure time, cost objectives and product performance are met. Understands and identifies the resource requirements to meet program/product objectives. Manages program resources to maximize utilization-identifying the right resource for the task-to meet program deliverables. Promotes and facilitates the use of best practices in engineering. Develops and manages the program/product engineering budget. Capable of communicating effectively with all management levels.
Specific Functions-Technical Responsibilities- Calls, supports and runs technical design reviews monthly/as necessary. Publishes a technical design review report.
- Ensures that internal and customer best practices are being followed in creating layout drawings, detail drawings and assembly drawings. Ensures that the customer's environment drawings are kept up-to-date. Ensures that no packaging or interference problems exist in the drawings/data.
- Facilitates, develops and implements internal and customer best practices in design and engineering. This includes, but is not limited to DFSS, drawing standards, FEA, GD&T, root cause analysis, DVP, DFMEA, hand calculations and use of carry-over and CPP technology.
- Ensures the design is robust to provide the highest quality in the build and assembly of prototype parts. Personally ensures that the design and engineering data is released on-time to ensure the highest quality assemblies for testing and the customer.
- Leads root cause analysis in the resolution of any test failures. Reviews and approves the analysis with the appropriate engineering management resources to resolve any particularly difficult problems. Ensures the appropriate management teams are brought in for any potential safety concern.
- Acquires the appropriate Customer Business Unit Chief/Director sign-off on the documentation for concurrence to quantities and tests required for supporting/resolving technical issues. Ensures the product has gone through the appropriate channels to optimize the plan, ensuring the minimum number of prototypes are being tested and the best choice of reliability techniques are used to determine test duration, number of samples and types of tests.
- Supports DFMEAs prior to release of prototype tooling.
- Approves FEA/analysis/testing prior to release of prototype tooling to ensure design meets desired criteria/specifications.
- Reviews cost, performance, timing, weight and investment versus customer targets with his/her core team members. Ensures that the program/product is meeting internal and external targets and specifications. Ensures that a complete corrective action plan is in place (and agreed to with the core SDT) when the product is not conforming to expectations (including timing).
- Directs and approves analysis (FEA, dimensional, hand calculations, etc.) prior to finalizing concept selection to ensure that the choice for concept meets the load requirements.
- Supports best practices and early detection for BSR.
- Ensures team uses the right tool/technology for providing technical solution to program/product issues.
- Is aware of advancing technology and directs implementation as appropriate.
Specific Functions-Administrative Responsibilities- Identifies the required training of engineers, designers and support personnel for all basic technical skill requirements.
- Develops and meets the agreed-to budget for the program/product. Ensures proper PD2 documents are developed and approved prior to the commencement of development and spending of monies. Ensures customer scope changes are documented, budgeted and approved prior to commencement of activity.
- Manages and supports all strategic direction/initiatives and systems including DFSS, CPP, PLUS, off-shore design, etc.
- Aids in the management and implementation of career planning and personal development of staff.
- Ensures annual performance reviews are completed on time.
- Supports the program/product team in resolving customer technical issues.
Performance Measures
- Performance to project/product plan
- Performance to budget
- Improvements in engineering productivity
- Quality and value of applied engineering technology (as measured by business units)
- Direction and execution of strategic actions and development of engineering technologies
- Other strategic initiative as defined
Education Required
- BSME or applicable work experience
Experience Required
- 10+ years' experience in automotive engineering with a trim background
- Extensive track record in managing product design teams
- Good communication skills with the ability to coach/mentor
- Previous experience in launching soft trim programs (JIT and Cut & Sew plants)
- Effective application of engineering tools (root cause/8D, DFMEA, Pugh, etc.)
PRIMARY LOCATION
Central Tech Unit Plymouth MI
Adient is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and you need an accommodation during the application process please email talent-acquisition@adient.com.
