Test Planning Engineer

Location Profile:

Located in South Gate, Dickson Testing Company, Inc. is a full-service destructive testing laboratory serving aerospace and metallic producers worldwide. Our laboratories serve our customers with metallurgical, mechanical, corrosion, and chemical testing services. In support of these services our facility provides complete specimen fabrication, cut off services and heat treat capability.

Position Summary: 
The Test Planning Engineer is responsible for ensuring that all new jobs are properly set up for testing. This position is a key liaison with internal staff, and customers on new order-related matters.  The role also requires superior technical skills as it will be responsible for supporting test requirements and performance of the mechanical test lab.  A successful Test Planning Engineer should have excellent attention to detail skills and be able to ensure that certifications consistently meet customer POs and quality standards. This position reports directly to the Engineering Manager.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Escapes due to write-up errors
• Certification errors due to write-up errors
• Productivity

Primary Duties & Responsibilities: 

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, ability and/or competency needed for successful performance in the role.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Comply with PCC Code of Conduct Requirements and all PCC Cardinal Rules (e.g., Quality and Safety).
• Review new POs and specifications to determine the test plan.
• Provide quality customer interface to assure requirements are understood and satisfied.
• Perform peer review for new jobs entered into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Evaluate mechanical test data from internal and external test labs.
• Create cut-up drawings.
• Review and approve part layout against cut-up plans.
• Create test methods for mechanical tests.
• Support customer and internal audits.
• Evaluate internal and external round robin test data.
• Evaluate changes to specifications from industry and customers.
• Investigate and troubleshoot process issues.
• Participate on all 6S Programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret industry specifications, customer specifications, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Trouble shooting skills with focus on process improvement.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• A strong technical aptitude, along with the ability to work independently, yet interact closely with other departments, customers, and vendors.
• Effective verbal, written and computer skills required as well as mathematical, analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and quickly, while always focusing on accomplishing the goal.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently without close supervision.
• Team Oriented.

Experience & Education: 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in mechanical or industrial engineering, or Quality Assurance, is required.
• 2+ years of experience in engineering, quality assurance, or a similar role.
• Knowledge of material testing and quality systems; aerospace preferred
• Experience with ISO / NADCAP preferred.

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.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and sit. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Manufacturing and laboratory environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this position.  It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by a person so classified.

The job may require additional hours beyond a 40-hour workweek.