Lead Project Engineer - Aerospace, Research & Development Engineering

What you’ll do:

Eaton Aerospace Fuel Motion Control division is currently seeking a Lead Project Engineer – New Product Development to join our team. 

From commercial fleets to mission-ready military aircraft, Eaton is preparing for the future of air travel with innovative products and services designed to improve aircraft availability with increased efficiency and performance. Within our Aerospace Fuel and Motion Control Division, you will design and optimize Hydraulic actuation devices for Aerospace applications with Computer-Aided-Engineering techniques (CAE).  This role focuses on developing designs that meet customers’ expectations and any applicable industry standards by collaborating with global engineering teams.

Making what matters work at Eaton takes the passion of every employee around the world. We create an environment where creativity, invention and discovery become reality, each and every day. It’s where bold, bright professionals like you can reach your full potential—and where you can help us reach ours.


Eaton’s comprehensive portfolio of components consistently sets the industry standard for engineering excellence, resulting in superior systems design and integration capability. These products power hundreds of military and commercial aircraft platforms with a focus on improved reliability, weight reduction and fuel efficiency.


Eaton provides a competitive total rewards package commensurate with applicable skills, knowledge, and experience and consistent with internal and external market practices.


*This role requires working on-site M-F at either our Los Angeles, CA ; Torrance, CA.. or Irvine, CA  location.  Relocation assistance is available for a qualified candidate currently residing in the USA. 

Position Overview:

The Lead Project Engineer – New Product Development will have the opportunity to work with experts across Eaton Aerospace in functions such as Designers, Engineers, Fabrication, Supply Chain, Test Lab and one or more Integrated Product Teams (IPT) for applications, design, analyze, process development, manufacturing and implement product designs and improvements in all phases of a product development lifecycle.

The Lead Engineer – New Product Development works with limited supervision, has strong leadership, communication, and technical skills, and can adapt and react quickly to internal and external customer demands. This position is for a technical project role in the Mechanical and Project Engineering group, supporting design, development, and implementation for new and existing designs of fluid power and motion control system components. 

Making what matters work at Eaton takes the passion of every employee around the world. We create an environment where creativity, invention and discovery become reality, each and every day. It’s where bold, bright professionals like you can reach your full potential—and where you can help us reach ours.

In this function you will:

•    Primary responsibility is to provide technical design, analysis, and guidance for new product development and product improvements. Has the decision-making authority on behalf of Mechanical Engineering for system and component design and the responsibilities for guiding and directing applicable IPT technical decisions and accomplishment of objectives.
•    Engineer works with one or more IPT to design, analyze, and implement product designs and design improvements in all phases of a product design lifecycle 
•    Lead and participate in efforts to solve problems with product design, inspection, manufacturing, and test encountered by vendors, company operations personnel, and customers.
•    Plan, organize, control, and lead multiple simultaneous projects. Establish and oversee accomplishment of multiple project objectives. Creates, updates, and interprets project schedules and communicates changes and status to Engineering Leadership and IPT(s). Support targets and milestones for project budgets and schedules.
•    Participate in resolving program change of scope issues with Project Engineering and Program Management.
•    Serve as primary technical contact for multiple cross-functional teams and liaison between Engineering and internal and external customers. Interacts directly with internal and external customers through formal technical presentations and informal discussions.
•    Create, develop, and guide the creation of design standards, technical documents, including Engineering drawings (following ASME Y14.5, ASME Y14.34 standards), test procedures, test reports, and design review material. Present product design and substantiating data and analysis, design findings and recommendations to customers and management.
•    Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching to co-workers. Provide direction to other engineers on project teams.
•    Ensure standardization of design of products and adherence to engineering processes across multiple projects. Supports continuous improvement by offering input to standard processes and procedures.
•    Proactively collaborate with peers and managers to determine key goals, objectives, and corresponding metrics. Review and amend these actions as appropriate. Focus on the timely achievement of these goals and objectives.
•    Interpret engineering documents. Coordinate creation and update of engineering documents.
•    Participate and lead studies and improvement for cost reduction and first-time yield.
•    Lead and participate in cross-functional Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations. Provide engineering input and technical expertise and sound engineering judgment for failure investigation and for customer-returned hardware.

When we embrace the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds that make each of us unique, we — as individuals and as a company — are stronger.  

Qualifications:

Required (Basic) Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution required. 

•    Minimum five (5) years of Mechanical and Project Engineering supporting manufacturing product design including design experience utilizing 3D CAD software.

•   This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an accredited institution/ MS degree preferred.
•    Experience in the Aerospace or Automotive Industry.

•   Minimum two (2) years’ experience implementing Hydraulic product design and testing in a  Mfg. plant environment.

•    Experience with Pro/Engineer, Enovia PLM, or similar 3D design and lifecycle management software tools.
•    Experience with designing hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromechanical products using Advanced manufacturing techniques and transitioning to a production environment.
•    Ability to apply of Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles and perform tolerance stack-up analyses.
•    Ability to perform basic structural and/or performance analysis.
•    Working knowledge of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Design for Manufacturability (dfM), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Design of Experiments (DOE), and Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) principles.

Skills:

Technical / Product Knowledge:

• Component Level Experience:  pumps, actuators, valves (directional control, proportional control, servo), manifolds, accumulators, power units, reservoirs, filtration systems, fluid connectors, quick disconnects, flow control devices, relief valves, check valves
• System Level Experience:  Fluid Power systems, fluid conveyance, power transmission systems, motion control systems, actuation systems, energy transfer, electro-mechanical, electro-hydraulic
• Roles and responsibilities: pump sizing, valve selection, pressure drop analysis, fluid management, flow analysis, power density optimization, leakage analysis, root cause analysis of fluid systems, pressure testing, endurance testing, power distribution systems.       Other: 
  •    Demonstrated leadership skills, experience with design processes, successful new product introduction experience, creative/innovative thinking.
  •    Proven track record of driving change and ability to execute technology development plan
  •    Demonstrated project leadership experience
  •    Ability to define and apply of Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and Model Based Definition principles and perform tolerance stack-up analyses
  •    Ability to perform basic structural and/or performance analysis
  •    Experience with working on and leading cross functional teams
  •    Excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills

What you’ll get from us:

We provide benefits that are industry competitive and focused on employee well-being. Listed below are programs that are offered globally, but program availabilities may vary by site.

•    Flexible work options to help balance work/life demands (at participating Eaton sites)
•    Healthcare/retirement savings programs
•    Competitive compensation packages to reward skills and performance
•    Tuition assistance or financial help for ongoing learning and development
•    Health, Dental, Vision & Wellness programs
•    Donation matching (U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico)