Wax Injection Engineer

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• 2 years of experience in process development, material development, or manufacturing with injection molded materials

• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Polymers, Plastics, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering (or a related field) from an accredited institution

• Ability to work in self-directed or team environment, balance multiple projects, and prioritize commitments

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to communicate at all levels of an organization

• 5+ years of experience in process development, material development, or manufacturing with injection molded materials

• Demonstrated skills in solving complex issues using analytical tools, designed experiments (DMAIC process), and analysis of results

• Proficiency in operating, ordering, and troubleshooting reciprocating screw or pot-and-plunger injection molding machines

• Knowledge of injection molding tool (die) design, including tools with hot runner systems, multiple pull planes, multiple drops, multiple cavities, and sequential valve gating

• Ability to follow the scientific molding methodology to establish a robust injection molding process

• Experience with automation in a manufacturing environment, especially around injection molding machines

• Experience creating and interacting with 3D CAD models (Siemens NX preferred)

• Experience in wax pattern manufacturing for the investment casting industry

This Wax Injection Engineer role will be located in Whitehall Casting Plant 10.  This role will perform technical duties related to wax injection processes and process management, including support of engineering projects and yield improvement initiatives as they relate to the manufacture of wax patterns for the aerospace industry.  Candidates will use their knowledge of injection molding and polymer materials to support Howmet’s ability to manufacture increasingly complex wax patterns with high yield and at high volume.

This role requires up to 25% international and domestic travel.

Job Roles 

• Systems thinker--sees the business and its operation holistically; understands actions and reactions; considers multiple pathways of potential effect before decisions; thinks strategically about interventions with an eye toward scale
• Optimizer--constantly challenging the organization to work smarter; supports others to ensure they have what they need to do their work successfully
• Anticipation--looks ahead to minimize potential issues and maximize advantages; prepares others for what comes next
• Operational accelerator--drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions
• Organization and structure--works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize them; provides accurate information; galvanizes others toward common goals
• Influence--leverages knowledge, relationship, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders
• Data informed--focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; evaluates based on quantitative feedback; knows and explains the “why” behind actions
• Prioritized reaction--handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives; reacts where greatest leverage points exist
• Relationship--connects individually and with teams across shifts and practices; builds rapport and commonality; creates a “win together” ethic; serves as liaison between shop floor and engineering; keeps the pulse of the floor; helps people feel heard

Responsibilities

• Perform daily review of product or process related scrap and productivity losses by utilizing the data to prepare reports and develop a plan to address identified yield or productivity issues.

• Balance multiple projects, with a variety of stakeholders, to ensure timely delivery of critical results

• Drive identification and management of injection process KIVs that impact and connect to KOVs such as cost, yield, visual quality, and rework.

• Assist Engineering with root cause analysis and corrective/preventative actions related to quality, cost, delivery, and product integrity. 

• Establish molding and tooling best practices, and support the training and standardization in multiple facilities around the world

• Respond to level 3 help chains to reinstate production flow in the injection departments

• Assist manufacturing and quality on engineering or technical issues that arise.

• Compile and analyze product data using statistical process control methods and generate associated engineering reports.

• Support engineering with developing and maintaining activity instructions and product or process specifications / criteria.

• Work with Tool Room, maintenance, dimensional, layout and other departments as necessary on press or tooling issues

• Support EHS improvement initiatives as required relating to tooling, fixturing, and in some cases equipment and equipment operation.

• Conduct the training of press technicians and press operators