Engineer – Graduate Project

This position may be based in either Carrollton, TX, or Milwaukee, WI. 

Graduate Project Engineer Program:  This position is responsible to assist current engineering personnel with the planning, completion, and implementation of selected engineering projects determined by site engineering management.  Graduate Project Engineers support the coordination and control of projects from concept to post production launch and beyond for new, existing, and/or modified doors, dock equipment, and other entrance automation products and warehouse solutions ensuring delivery to timing deadlines, cost, and quality.

The Graduate Project Engineer Program for each incumbent runs for a period of approximately 24 continuous months with four (4) site placements of 6 months duration each, during which time the incumbent will deliver a project or process improvement to ensure continuous functional improvements, whilst developing a knowledge and competence of the generic role they are undertaking.  Each 6 month placement at a separate location/facility will generally follow a specific engineering track to expose the Graduate Project Engineer to a minimum of four (4) of nine (9) engineering disciplines (Controls/EEE, Field Service/Technical Services, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Product, Project, Quality Assurance Engineering, and R&D) during the 24 month program duration.

Graduate Engineer Position Summary: The Graduate Project Engineer is responsible for helping to coordinate all project elements as assigned including engineering design, quality planning, installation, commissioning and final buy-off phases, SOP, manufacturing, VA/VE, and continuous/process improvement as well as ensuring the project remained within budget in order to meet the requirements of the customer’s needs. Works closely with more senior staff on simple projects under close supervision and work reviewed frequently. Works within well-established practices and clearly defined scope of work. Plans within immediate assigned tasks and contributes to milestones. Demonstrates initiative on moderate problem solving within assigned tasks.

1. Description of Essential Job Functions:

Note: Actual assigned job functions will vary based on location needs and assigned engineering track/discipline

1. Graduate Project Engineering Activities (General listing of potential job functions and activities)

1. Plan, design, and implement control systems, communication networks, and advanced computer applications and/or provide industrial automation, product development, and manufacturing and application support.
2. Support both electrical controls related R&D product development as well as operations/production needs.
3. Conduct ground level programming, new machine installation, upgrades, and troubleshooting for various programs, industrial robotics, and production systems.
4. Plan and coordinate activities to ensure the technical know-how of products is consistent with established standards.
5. Plans and coordinate activities concerned with development, application, and maintenance of technical standards for industrial processes, materials, and products.
6. Perform a wide variety of technical support field functions to provide information, training, and assistance to dealers and distributors.
7. Evaluate, implement, integrate, optimize, and test interconnected components for managing industrial production processes (e.g., plant location, personnel work flow/ergonomics, materials flow and logistics, production process coordination and sequence, quality control measures and systems, and equipment layouts, etc.) to maximize productivity, reduce costs, reduce wastefulness and production inefficiency, maintain standards of operations, and ensure high product quality.
8. Design efficient workflows and production layouts and processes, establish methods for maximum utilization of production facilities and personnel, conduct cost/inventory/production control and human factors studies to develop and implement plans for facility modifications and revisions to operating methods, assist manufacturing plant/facilities engineers with facility planning and manufacturing design, and assist in establishing accident prevention measures and managing production operations training programs for plant personnel.
9. Plan, direct, and coordinate optimal, cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods by product specifications and quality standards.
10. Collaborate with operators to complete other efficiency and quality related tasks, including, but not limited to, troubleshooting operations, issuing and revising drawing and process sheets, verifying conformance of products, and training operators of equipment and machinery.
11. Evaluate existing manufacturing processes to improve the process flow of material and inventory by researching automation techniques, testing new systems for efficiency, and planning plant layouts to optimize production.
12. Coordinate manufacturing launch for new or revised products, processes, and equipment.
13. Design, develop, and improve new and existing products and components and fabricate and test prototypes while ensuring product integrity, technical accuracy, and applicability. Release final product for manufacture and distribution.
14. Design and direct installation of mechanical or electromechanical products, aftermarket products, and/or plant systems.
15. Design, develop, support, and improve new and existing products, kits, and components and fabricating and/or testing prototypes.
16. Support product installation and service including performing a wide variety of technical support functions to provide information, training, and assistance to dealers and distributors.
17. Develop, design, and implement process improvement projects throughout the facility.
18. Manage or support designated engineering projects and oversee all aspects of equipment and process improvements involving conceptualization, tracking cost, development, production implementation, and post-launch support within respective teams.
19. Engage in auditing, monitoring, and determining the quality of processes or outputs, either against defined internal and/or regulatory standards, while working closely with production to prevent defects from going to the next process.
20. Assist with developing and sustaining the Quality Management System (QMS) processes and software, corrective and preventive actions, internal and external audits, and various quality continuous improvement activities in line with the required Company and industry standards (ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001), accreditation requirements, and business requirements through existing and new procedures.
21. Assist with identifying, coaching, and managing suppliers according to organization quality standards and policies.
22. Work with other members of the R&D and Engineering team to create new, and refines/redesigns existing, products, components, equipment, systems, processes, and technologies through a process of conceiving, researching, designing, experimenting, prototyping, testing, and debugging.

1. General Project Engineering Activities (New Product Development/Redesign of Existing Products)

1. Manage assigned projects involving development of new products and redesign of existing products or components.
2. Help to coordinate all project elements as assigned including, but not limited to, engineering design, quality planning, installation, commissioning, final buy-off phases, SOP, manufacturing, VA/VE, and continuous/process improvement.
3. Assist with design verification and sign off reporting.
4. Support with costing any changes in specifications.
5. Support with analyzing customer and internal changes, including feasibility study.
6. Track customer changes.
7. Produce clear, focused and understandable explanations for change requests.
8. Attend and participate in customer, project, and supplier meetings when required.
9. Participate in Problem Solving and 8D activities to ensure quality products for customers.
10. Support with anticipating any potential project risks, identifying and establishing corrective actions.
11. Produce deliverables on-time to customer requirements, clarifying these requirements where necessary.
12. Help manage suppliers to ensure parts are delivered on time to the required quality standard.
13. Participate in DFMEAs, Quality history reviews, robustness studies, etc.
14. Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) processes.
15. Be aware and work to achieve the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
16. Assist with investigations to ensure that 4Front manufacturing processes are constantly evolving with technological advancements.
17. Assist with review of processes and implementation of process improvements.
18. Assist in facility upgrades to ensure manufacturing needs are met.
19. Assist in training of plant personnel as required for process improvement.
20. Assist to ensure all manufacturing processes are operating within OSHA standards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all employees.

1. General Project Management and Administration Activities

1. Plan projects or subtasks so they may be tracked and presented.
2. Track tasks against the project timing plan.
3. Undertake special projects as required.
4. Agree the approach to be taken to assigned tasks.
5. Support engineers and production employees.
6. Liaise and communicate with other departments.
7. Work independently on engineering tasks as well across team.
8. Assist in new business development.
9. Participate in root cause analysis and resolving problems.
10. Support and participate in process improvement activities.
11. Contribute to continuous improvement activities.
12. Ensure quality control of work by appropriate reviews.
13. Write simple reports and provide information to management.
14. Attend various meetings, communicate any instructions, and take necessary actions.
15. Comply with Environmental, Health, and Safety policies, regulations, and requirements.
16. Undertake continuous training and development.
17. Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends.
18. Keep up with current and developing manufacturing and engineering trends.

1. Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

1. Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Working toward an engineering degree in a related career field (requires degree completion within the 12 month period following placement as a Graduate Program Engineer), or
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls/EEE Engineering, or any equivalent technical/engineering field.
• To have graduated no more than 18 months ago and with a maximum of two (2) years relevant working experience prior to, or after graduation.
• Project experience desired.
• Relevant internships desired.
• Demonstrates understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Experience designing, operating, troubleshooting, or maintaining complex production machinery is desirable.

Information Technology Skills

• Ability to use a personal computer utilizing spreadsheet and word processing software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
• Advanced/Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint preferred.
• General understanding of Design & Engineering Software.

Certificates, Certifications, Licenses, Memberships, Registrations:

• Membership of an industry related professional body would be advantageous.

Other Skills, Abilities, or Competencies:

• Is self-aware.
• Achievement Focused.
• Applies experience and logic.
• Consistently manages the task.
• Makes productive contributions.
• Ability to work in a safe manner.
• Passion for the manufacturing industry.
• Ability to write legible correspondence.
• Is resilient, optimistic and open to change.
• Team player with a positive effect on the mood.
• Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools.
• General understanding of project management skills.
• Excellent ability to understand processes and interactions.
• Shows moral courage, openness, and honesty in all dealings.
• Must have a problem solving mind set and a positive attitude.
• General understanding of continuous improvement principles.
• Customer service orientation and approach to daily responsibilities.
• Open-minded and ambitious personality, high level of commitment.
• Organizational skills to assist in project planning and implementation.
• Ability to work with all levels of the organization as well as suppliers.
• Demonstrates initiative on moderate problem solving within assigned tasks.
• Ability to react promptly and effectively to changing client and product needs.
• Ability to listen, with excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
• Ability to effectively present information verbally to other employees of the organization.
• Detail oriented with the ability to track and monitor projects from inception to completion.
• Ability to apply specific technical skills as required to support the customer or internal stakeholders.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, memos, emails, SOPs, regulations, and other materials.
• Ability to organize personal workload, prioritize activities, and accomplish tasks under deadline pressure.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding and carry out instructions furnished in written and oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, and multiply applying statistical and other complex mathematic concepts when needed.
• Basic electrical and mechanical aptitude/troubleshooting skills, and the ability to read engineering drawings.
• General knowledge and understanding of Six Sigma, SPC, 5 Why, Pareto and other tools to improve and sustain production levels.
• Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardizations exist.
• Strong oral and written technical communication skills to communicate with managers, fellow employees, customers, and vendors.
• Ability to work in a group setting and independently while multi-tasking and adjusting to changing priorities in a minimally supervised fast paced environment.

Other Qualifications, Experience, or Requirements:

• Limited business travel in the field for project implementation, training, field testing, and/or customer support.
• Requires a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and the ability to operate a motor vehicle while carefully observing all traffic rules and regulations.
• Requires the ability to use a variety of office/production related equipment such as a telephone, photocopier, and precision measuring instruments.

• Will need flexibility to work a schedule that allows completion of assigned duties on a daily and weekly basis.
• Be willing and available to work at company and customer premises as required.
• Work beyond the traditional 40 hours per week may be required as workload or projects dictate, including weekends and holidays.

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