Die Engineer

About the Company:

We are AUTOKINITON. AUTOKINITON delivers operational excellence, high-quality execution, and customer service. We offer 100% vertical integration capabilities such as end-to-end engineering, manufacturing, and in-house logistics. We’re proud of our Tier 1 supplier legacy for manufacturing propulsion-agnostic, structural automotive components, and assemblies around the globe.

About the Role:

To help us drive excellence, you’ll get to:

• Provide key input into the development of departmental strategic goals along with identifying key measurable to support the departmental goals.
• Assist Program Launch team in conducting new tool tryouts and other activities as scheduled.
• Work closely with the other departments to improve efficiencies and throughput.
• Stabilize the process by determining root cause of process issues and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Recommend incorporation of new technology where feasible and practical. Assure that all products quoted and/or released to the plant are feasible and that the quoted rate, crew sizes, and plant performance metrics are achievable.
• Guides design, develop and tests die methods, materials, processes and results.
• Troubleshoot and communicate die concerns to the Tool & Die supervisors and/or manager.
• Interface with customers, contractors and die build shops as appropriate.
• Determine and document proper processing parameters and assist in auditing of the same.
• Determine priorities and implement material and among other cost reduction projects; maintain detailed documentation as required.
• Lead training activities for die leaders for die principles and practices.
• Communicate material concerns to the Materials department (ex. circle grid, material certification, etc.)
• Support process improvement initiatives and activities throughout the plants.
• Maintain PFMEA for respective processes and maintain process flow diagrams.
• Champion assigned engineering changes and communicate/coordinate with all departments.
• Ability to use MTBF/MTTR to measure the reliability and efficiency of equipment.
• Assist with the quoting process.
• Participate in die reviews.
• Act as a resource for enhancing and optimizing SPM improvements within the organization.
• Manage and support ECOs.
• Manage costs associated with producing poor quality products (CoPQ).
• Meet quality standards by performing customer blank/steel audits.
• Train, coach and mentor other engineers and other cross-function team members.
• Support plant activities towards achieving customer awards and Quality registration (ex. TS 16949, ISO 14001, etc.)
• Direct and/or participate in stamping root cause analysis and team problem solving activities (ex. 8D reports, department meetings, etc.).
• Responsible for adhering to all OSHA required safety procedures in performing daily work activities.
• Assure all safety devices are properly in place and utilized and verify individual usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the work team.

Qualifications:

Required experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) or more years related technical, hands-on experience
• Background in engineering and building dies.
• Proficient in troubleshooting and correcting workflow problems.
• Ability to mentor and teach the team in effective problem-solving methods.
• Experience in applying lean manufacturing concepts.
• Knowledge of standard quality practices.
• Proven leadership ability and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and communication skills.
• CAD experience (UG, Catia, AutoCad Desktop etc).
• Ability to visualize and comprehend all aspects of a manufacturing equipment and tooling, understand the relationships of factors affecting a given situation, be attentive to detail, and continually seek to improve work processes.
• Knowledge of automated processes including mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and control systems and how they interact with each other.
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement, project management, facility engineering, process engineering, product engineering, equipment technology/capabilities, plant capacity and general problem solving.

Working conditions:

We’ll provide position-specific details including physical and focused efforts, working environment and conditions, and reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Where you’ll be:

This position is located at our Plant 5 Facility, in Lebanon, TN, offering many community events, resources, programs, and recreational opportunities for you and your family.

Community features:

• TN Titans NFL Team (nearby Nashville)
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville’s No. 1 venue for large-scale music productions, as well as the home of the Nashville Predators
• TN State Fair – (Fun for all ages)