Description
LOCATION: Chattanooga, TN (On-Site)
ABOUT THE POSITION
The NPD/VAVE Engineer serves as a corporate-level engineering resource responsible for driving manufacturability, cost optimization, and standardization across all Astec divisions.
This role supports New Product Development (NPD) and Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) initiatives that align with the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Strategic Business Plan (AME SBP) - specifically under the pillars of Innovation Enablement, Process Optimization, and Operational Excellence.
By collaborating cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Site Manufacturing Engineering, this role ensures that products are designed and industrialized efficiently, safely, and profitably.
Deliverables & Responsibilities
1. NPD/NPI (New Product Development/Introduction)
a. Serve as the manufacturing engineering representative in product development teams.
b. Conduct Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/A) reviews during all design gate phases.
c. Co-ordinate with IE and AME to develop manufacturing routings, labor standards, and process documentation for NPIs.
d. Support Pilot and prototype builds to validate design, process capability and readiness for mass productions.
e. Identify and communicate manufacturability issues early in the design to minimize late-stage changes.
f. Ensure product launches meet AME's cost, quality and delivery objectives.
2. VAVE (Value Analysis and Value Engineering)
a. Identify and lead cost reduction projects across product lines focusing on material, process and design efficiency.
b. Collaborate with procurement, design and Operations to implement alternative materials, part consolidations and design simplifications.
c. Develop and maintain VAVE project funnel and savings dashboard in alignment with corporate targets.
d. Conduct competitive benchmarking, product teardowns, and process cost studies to support ideation.
e. Validate and track cost savings through data-driven methods (Std. Labor time, BOM impact, etc.).
3. Adv. Manufacturing Engineering Standard and Manufacturing Integration
a. Support the deployment and continuous improvement of corporate AME standard, including:
b. PFEP (Plan for Every Part).
c. Line - Side Stock (LSS) systems
d. MBOM accuracy and process routings
e. PFMEA templates and work instruction formats.
f. Work with site ME to ensure consistent adoption of best practices in fabrication, welding, assembly, and paint.
g. Partner with AME Systems, IE and Paint Engineering teams to ensure new product/process alignment with automation and equipment capability.
4. Data and Digital Integration
a. Leverage tools such as Oracle Fusion, SigmaNest, Power BI and Excel based models to analyze cost, process and efficiency data.
b. Participate in Industry 4.0 Initiatives to bring digital visibility to manufacturing and product performance metrics.
c. Drive data-driven decision-making for capacity, labor optimization and cost competitiveness.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration
a. Act as a liaison between Corporate AME, Site ME, Design Engineering, Procurement and Operations teams.
b. Facilitate and lead NPD/VAVE review meetings/workshops, ensuring project status, risks and savings realization.
c. Provide regular updates to AME leadership on key deliverables, metrics and Strategic Business Plan alignment progress.
6. Key Deliverables
a. DFM/A reviews and closure reports per product design phase.
b. Approved routings and time studies before pilot builds.
c. Annual Validated cost savings through VAVE initiatives.
d. Standardize AME process documents across all divisions.
e. Weekly dashboards and KPI update to AME leadership.
To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are:
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering. (R)
• Master's in mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering. (P)
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Product Development or VAVE roles. (R)
• Understanding of fabrication, machining, welding, assembly and paint process. (R)
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and SolidWorks (R)
• Knowledge of Oracle ERP (P).
• Strong foundation in Lean Manufacturing, PFMEA, Process Flow and cost analysis. (R)
• Excellent communication and project management for cross-functional integration. (R)
Supervisor and Leadership Expectations
None
Our Culture and Values
Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work.
• Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers
• Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
• Respect for all individuals
• Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
• Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success
Travel Requirements: 30% of travel
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Office
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
