Manufacturing Process Engineer

Zero-Max continues to be a trusted and leading manufacturer of high-quality mechanical components which are used in machines in numerous industries around the world. For over 70 years, Zero-Max has earned a reputation for delivering high quality, customizable, premium products that improve customer results. We have a highly motivated and talented team that is committed to being responsive, conducts business with honesty and integrity, and holds themselves accountable to our customers and each other.

Our Core Values:

1. Provide best in class service and solutions

2. Hold ourselves accountable

3. Do the right thing

Zero-Max is a newly renovated office and manufacturing facility located on scenic grounds in Plymouth, MN. We are proud of our employees’ years of service and are dedicated to offering competitive benefits and pay, including:

• Robust health, dental, and vision plans
• 401(k) plan with a generous 6% match plus a 4% discretionary profit-sharing plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employer paid Short-term & Long-term disability insurance
• Training, mentorship, and coaching from leadership
• Healthy work/life balance
• Other fringe benefits in a fun and welcoming environment that sets us apart from most companies!

At Zero-Max the Manufacturing Process Engineer develops, validates, re-evaluates, and improves production processes and manufacturing capabilities for efficient fabrication of machined parts, assemblies and finished products. Monitors production efficiencies, analyzes, and maintains production standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Costing/Estimating Responsibilities

• Works with Engineering, Purchasing, and Sales to establish cost effective processes for manufacturing
• Creates manufacturing estimates for sale proposals, from engineering documentation
• Estimates required production time and setup time for efficient methods of manufacturing in quoting new and special products: machining, assembly, and other operations
• Adds quantity breaks to Methods of Manufacturing associated with parts previously quoted to determine new total setup and production times
• Applies knowledge of product design, fabrication, assembly, tooling, and materials and collaborates with suppliers on recommending new cost-effective materials and alternate manufacturing methods for fabrication efficiency and cost competitiveness
• Reviews and reconciles historical estimates with the actuals (setup and production times, averages)
• Identifies outliers, investigates for root cause and makes adjustments to the bill of operations

Engineering Responsibilities

• Participates in development of new products, research of new materials and technologies, product enhancements and expansions
• Reviews engineering design documentation, including drawings for manufacturability, for assembly and for quality (DFMA/DFQ)
• Solicits feedback from Engineers, Machine Operators and Assemblers to continually improve the manufacturing methods
• Provides support to manufacturing in expanding in-house fabrication capabilities, in acquisition and deployment of new tools and equipment
• Applies knowledge of functions, processes and capabilities of machines and equipment to determine tool requirements and establish sequence of operations to fabricate parts and to assemble complete products
• Lists operations to be performed indicating machines, cutting tools, fixtures, and other equipment routing to be used and estimates times needed to perform each operation
• Assesses complementary manufacturing capabilities with external contractors and providers, recommends and supports Purchasing in the setup of new suppliers
• Regularly scans open production jobs and confirms the methods associated with manufacturing the products
• Interprets specifications, drawings, and job orders to operators
• Assists in set ups and the operators in adjusting machines, and equipment to produce parts which meet specifications
• Analyzes, resolves, and assists operators in solving manufacturing problems

Qualifications

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 those with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing or Engineering, or applicable machining and manufacturing experience.
• Five years of machine shop experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Preferred: Minimum of two-years of experience with CNC and machining centers (turning, boring, milling, grinding, etc.)
• Preferred: Experience with CAM systems and with manufacturing estimation tools

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and other documents such as safety rules and operating and maintenance instructions.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with groups of customers, employees, or managers of organization
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plain and solid geometry and trigonometry.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Desired Requirements

• Ability to program CNC equipment and write CNC programs
• General knowledge of mechanics and the latest machining technology
• Ability to schedule and plan
• Experience in dealing with complexity, informing others, knowledge of Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
• Experience in Manufacturing Quality, Product Development, presenting technical information, CAD/CAM/CMM
• Experience with Epicor ERP will be considered as a plus

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities.

• Pull, push, carry, lift, or move items up to 10 lbs. (occasionally 25 lbs) throughout the work shift without assistance, as required by job duties.
• Pull, push, carry, lift or move materials/items/equipment weighing up to 50lbs or more during the work shift, with the use of Company provided “reach assistance technology” or “movement assist technology” (fork-lifts, pallet jacks, pulleys, dolly’s, robotics reach equipment, people movers etc.), as required by job duties

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with disabilities

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.