Senior Product Development Engineer Jobs in Rochester, MN

SUMMARY:

This management position is directly responsible for the Manufacturing Engineering and Maintenance departments. The Plant Engineering function is responsible for all aspects of manufacturing and processing through the fabrication, weld, paint, and assembly departments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cultivates and promotes a strong safety culture and follows all safety policies, procedures and regulations. Identifies and communicates workplace hazards and corrects or seeks assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions.
• Provides strong leadership and project management skills to successfully implement customer focused process/product improvements.
• Provides training to new and existing employees in best practices for lean manufacturing, 5S, visual factory management (VFM), problem resolution/poke yoke, and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Utilizes proven lean manufacturing based analytical and troubleshooting / problem-solving abilities to identify opportunities for cost reduction, lead-time reduction, inventory reduction and quality improvement.
• Leads the effort to improve safety in the facility.
• Oversees Product Development Process for all new and existing programs. This includes the development of floor plan layouts, cost justifying new and/or used equipment, documentation and troubleshooting of new and existing processes. Attendance at all product development meetings for assigned products is required.
• Develops safe processes and monitors existing processes to ensure the safety of our production associates.
• Ensures that poke-yoke and mistake proofing are built into all processes and work on any customer or quality issues to ensure quality problems are solved and not repeated.
• Implements and documents improvements to manufacturing efficiencies, takt time, floor space utilization, and overhead.
• Evaluates existing tools and processes and recommends improvements that enhance both operator performance and ergonomics / safety of the overall operation.
• Develops, implements, and sustains robust facilities and equipment preventative maintenance programs.
• Responsible for several million dollars of departmental budgeting.
• Develops annual Capital Expenditure plans that focus on cost reductions and strong ROIs.
• Identifies and executes cost reduction initiatives, manufacturability reviews, corrective action closure, development and specification of fixtures and tools and equipment necessary to build the product,
• Assesses the safety of the processes and methods used to ensure a safe work environment,
• Develops project plans for manufacturing implementation and leading the implementation of new products.
• Identifies new technology to maintain competitive advantage.
• Oversees the maintenance department, ensuring execution of robust facilities and machine maintenance programs.

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Intermediate knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to multi-task with excellent time management, problem prevention and problem-solving skills.
• Strong ability to work in a team environment with demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read, interpret and communicate print specifications.
• Intermediate proficiency in performing engineering calculations

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, leadership and labor union representatives.
• Strong ability to achieve cost reductions to both products and processes

WORKING CONDITIONS/OTHER:

• Work Hours/Status: 40+ hours/week, Full Time, Salary - ExemptRepetitive manual movements and keyboarding are required.
• Sustained visual concentration on small areas, such as monitors and screens is required.
• Sitting, standing, and frequent walking is required
• The work environment is both office as well as shop floor (at least 50 -50) where numerous processes (cutting, welding, grinding, press brake forming, painting, and assembly) are under constant operation.
• Shop conditions include frequent exposure (30 - 60%) to noise, odors, dust, drafts, chemicals, operating machinery, temperature extremes, and hazardous substances.
• Frequent overnight travel may be required.

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and competencies required of this position. Employees are held accountable for all aspects of the job which are subject to change at any time. An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed 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.