Engineering Co-op

Responsibilities

Strattec Security Corporation is one of the world's largest suppliers providing access and security systems to the automotive market. This drives us to be an innovative company with the latest technology.  Strattec creates exciting opportunities for people who like to work in an environment that challenges them to be creative, deal with multiple customers and projects, and research the latest technology. You will help Strattec to be a pioneer by working closely with the largest automotive customers in the world, along with the largest electronic partners.

Let us know who you are! We want to know what motivates you and why you are the ideal candidate for our growing team. The ideal candidate will possess a team-oriented attitude, have a multi-discipline background, and a passion for innovation. We are looking for leadership skills to develop a new group internally.

If you are someone who likes to build a team, has strong skillsets and likes to see your own ideas come to life, apply quickly!

Strattec is committed to providing meaningful co-operative educational opportunities to engineering students of the local area.  These opportunities provide selected students with in-depth learning experiences that apply academic concepts and ideas.  Students are exposed to the real working world, while learning from experienced professionals active in their field, all while earning academic credit for their experiences.

This program is a 4 "term" program which alternates a 3- to 4-month period of work with an academic semester or summer period.  All 4 terms are required.  Each term is defined as follows:

TERM 1

Product Engineering / Prototype Lab

Students may be involved in the following tasks:

• Design and develop new products
• Perform benchmarking studies
• Get exposure to customer-, product-, and process-related specifications
• Deal directly with customers and vendors (may involve travel)
• Perform tolerance stack-up analysis of new and existing assemblies
• Investigate potential new materials for components
• Support prototype development between engineering and CNC room
• Develop test plans to validate designs, coordinating with internal Test Labs
• Learn how to organize, design, summarize, and recommend Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA)

• Write Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) and other support documentation
• Investigate design improvements for part quality, cost or processing
• Participate as a cross functional team member with quality, manufacturing, tool design, etc.
• Perform theoretical strength calculations to ensure that designs meet customer requirements

Prototype Lab

• Gain knowledge of all available rapid prototype processes
• Work with internal customers to produce engineering models that meet cost and timing targets
• Create, document, and implement work instructions for processes and equipment
• Develop prototype models using CAD

TERM 2

Quality Assurance

Students may be involved in the following tasks:

• Learn how certain parts are made at Strattec, and become familiar with various inspection equipment
• Become familiar with plant personnel and plant structure
• Perform measurement system analysis studies (Gage R&R)
• Learn to create detail and assembly drawings of tools and fixtures
• Conduct Design of Experiments: design trials, collect data, summarize data, recommend and implement solutions
• Learn to use a variety of software programs
• Learn to function as a team with other members of quality, along with product design, manufacturing, and tool design
• Learn how to organize, design, summarize and recommend Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
• Facilitate and implement new and modified assembly equipment by creating set-up and operator instructions, control plans and other customer-approval documentation
• Gain general knowledge of in-house manufacturing processes, die cast, stamping, and machine shop operations
• Develop understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) fundamentals and their application
• Improve both verbal and written communication skills
• If aptitude is shown, lead one “capstone” project to present at end of term

TERM 3

Process EngineeringStudents may be involved in the following tasks:

• Learn how certain parts are made at Strattec
• Become familiar with plant personnel and plant structure
• Learn to create detail and assembly drawings of tools, fixtures, machines and plant layouts in AutoCAD
• Learn to use a variety of software programs
• Participate in the cost estimation of tooling, machinery and manufacturing processes
• Support equipment/programming trouble-shooting activities
• Learn to function as a team with other members of manufacturing, along with quality, product design, tool design, etc.
• Perform engineering calculations using knowledge learned in college courses
• Facilitate and implement new and modified assembly equipment by creating set-up and operator instructions and layouts
• Identify and improve material handling bottlenecks to optimize run-at-rate efficiency
• Gain general knowledge of in-house manufacturing processes, die cast, stamping, and machine shop operations
• Improve communication skills both verbal and written
• If aptitude is shown, lead one “capstone” project to present at end of term

TERM 4

Student OptionStudents will be allowed to determine which area he/she would like to work in for their fourth and final work term. The students may choose from the Quality team, Operations team, one of the Product Engineering teams, or (on a case-by-case basis) may be allowed assignment to an area not typically in the co-op rotation.

Qualifications

• Qualified, actively enrolled, and in good standing in an engineering discipline (mechanical or industrial) bachelor’s degree program.
• Students must be enrolled in a credit course covering the co-op experience for the term(s) they work.
• Engineering students will be expected to commit to work no less than four terms.
• Students will conduct themselves in a professional manner and follow all Strattec Security salaried associates work rules.
• Students will work 40 hours per week, per term, alternating with a semester of coursework or summer off.
• Each student will present a summary of their experiences to the organization at the end of each term.

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action to recruit, hire, train, upgrade, transfer and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.