Chief Engineer

Job Title: Chief Engineer at The Bonnot Company

About Bonnot

The Bonnot Company is a small team of experts dedicated to the design and manufacture of custom extruders, cutters and feeding equipment. From our home in Akron, OH, our team of around 25 is split evenly between the front office and co-located plant manufacturing. The Bonnot Company is privately owned and operated and is committed to creating a positive work environment for our team, with internal career progression, a 4-day workweek (Mon-Thurs 6.30am 4.30pm), generous PTO allowance and healthcare. Being a small team, we rely on each other to succeed. We understand the need to collaborate, help each other out and not pass on issues.

Job Overview

Engineering has always been the lifeblood of The Bonnot Company. Coming up with new products, new ideas and new innovations has allowed us to stay in business for over 130 years. As the Chief Engineer, you will continue this tradition, using our tried and tested technology, making modern day improvements to provide new solutions for today and the future.

Our design philosphy is utilizing simple, robust design and ensure quality and longevity in our equipment, and our customers have come to rely on us for that. We don't look for quick fixes, or cutting corners. We want to provide the best single screw extruders for custom applications available.

Chief Engineer Responsibilities

1. Design and Development: Lead the mechanical design and development of Bonnot single screw extruders, including conceptualization, detailed design, and prototyping phases. Utilize Solidworks to create simple, effective & durable designs.
2. Performance Optimization: Analyze and optimize the performance of extruder components, including screws, barrels, liners and dies. Ensure designs meet performance requirements for throughput, product quality and reliability.
3. Material Selection: Evaluate and select appropriate materials for extruder components based on mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, and compatibility with processing conditions and materials being extruded.
4. Process Improvement: Continuously identify opportunities for improvements in extruder design.
5. Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, quality assurance, and R&D, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical designs into production processes. Collaborate with vendors and suppliers to source components and materials and ensure adherence to specifications.
6. Testing and Validation: Develop and execute test plans to validate the performance and reliability of extruder designs. Analyze test data and iterate designs as needed to achieve desired outcomes. Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations.
7. Documentation: Create comprehensive design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and technical reports. Maintain accurate records of design iterations, test results, and project milestones.
8. Training and Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers. Share knowledge and best practices to foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in mechanical design, with a focus on extrusion equipment.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and FEA analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer principles.
• Experience with materials selection and mechanical testing.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to mentor junior engineers.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to extrusion equipment (e.g., ASTM, ISO).