Product Development Engineer - Exterior Products

Summary 

The role of the Product Development Engineer is to serve as the lead for North American product development activities for exterior and engine compartment of vehicles.  This position is the primary interface between Product Development and Program teams, Product Engineering, Purchasing, and Manufacturing.  The Product Development Engineer is responsible to manage multiple product development projects, which involve material usage optimizations, product function enhancements, alternative material development, input for new business quoting efforts, and technical consultation support for quality assurance.  This position will serve as the “Go To” for all product development activity related to exterior and engine compartment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the success product development activities for North American regionalized development activities by developing detailed product specifications (BOM, Raw Material Specifications, TDS, etc.), supporting regionalized material sourcing selection and by coordinating trials to insure the successful implementation of new and existing technologies in our manufacturing facilities.
• Lead multiple product cost optimization projects from inception to production.  This involves project planning including project costs, resources and timing commitments, validation testing planning, data analysis, material coordination, plant trials, data summary and reporting.
• Work to develop concurrence between Manufacturing, Tooling, Purchasing, Program Management and our manufacturing facilities on current or new processes, work cell improvements, and tooling construction.

·         Support program launch activities to ensure new products deliver expected output on time and on budget while exceeding program expectations.

·         Work with manufacturing to schedule production line time for product development trials ensuring that proper raw materials are on-site and to specification prior to conducting product development trials.

• Developing, evaluating, and improving material constructions for assigned products and processes.
• Support program management, sales, and cost estimating groups to develop detailed quotes for new business opportunities.
• Conduct benchtop/lab development to prove out product concepts before requesting plant resources to conduct trials
• Manage all product development materials and material movements in all relevant locations.

·         Work in conjunction with purchasing to develop technical reliable and long term oriented possible sources of raw material/products wherever possible in order to continuously provide Autoneum with some leverage during the courses of the projects

·         Specify process parameters and functionality of manufacturing equipment.

·         Ensure that the correct materials are used during prototype, validation, & PPAP events, and are in compliance with the correct processing methods for each product.

• Benchmark existing process to optimize material, process and technology.

·         Inter-departmental interface and technical contact between management and vendors.

·         Other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field from an accredited institution. 
• Minimum of 3 years previous experience in manufacturing/non-woven, product development and/or process engineering.

Language Ability

·         Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers and other internal/external customers.

·         Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multinational environments.

Math Ability

• Skilled in advanced mathematics.

Reasoning Ability

·         This position requires the ability to organize thoughts and priorities under a considerable amount of pressure.

·         Must be able to reason and solve problems based on technical understanding of needs and procedures. 

Computer Skills

·         Skilled in all Microsoft Office products

This position works under pressure of deadlines with interruptions occurring regularly.

Travel is required, by car or air, to visit customers and manufacturing locations.  Some international travel may be required.

Position frequently requires more than 40 hours per week.

The primary purpose of this job description is to summarize the key/essential duties.  Other duties may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.