SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Sustaining Engineer is responsible for the ongoing technical support, continuous improvement, and lifecycle management of released products and manufacturing processes. This position works closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customers, and Suppliers to resolve production issues, improve product quality and reliability, reduce costs, manage engineering changes, and ensure consistent compliance with customer and regulatory requirements. The Sustaining Engineer serves as the primary technical resource for sustaining released products throughout their lifecycle.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:- Provide technical support for released products throughout their manufacturing lifecycle.
- Investigate and resolve production, quality, yield, and customer-related issues through structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities involving internal teams, suppliers, and customers.
- Develop and implement process improvements to improve quality, capacity, manufacturability, and operational efficiency.
- Identify and execute cost-reduction, cycle-time reduction, and productivity improvement initiatives.
- Process Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and lead implementation of product and process changes.
- Analyze manufacturing nonconformances and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Support supplier qualification, supplier process changes, and component obsolescence management.
- Track, monitor, and improve manufacturing cycle times and process performance.
- Collaborate with Quality Engineering, Manufacturing, and Production teams to improve product quality and manufacturing performance.
- Interface directly with customers regarding technical issues, product performance, engineering changes, and continuous improvement opportunities.
- Support design reviews and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) assessments for product revisions and customer-driven changes.
- Interpret customer specifications and ensure continued compliance with contractual requirements.
- Ensure conformance to ISO procedures, quality system requirements, and FM Industries established protocols.
- Design, build, and operate safe systems.
- Understand basic safety work processes such as JSAs and MOCs.
- Comply with applicable environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, Company policy, and accepted safe work practices.
- Perform additional related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in precision manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, medical or automotive or related high-technology industries.
- Experience supporting released products in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of Root Cause Corrective Action methodologies such as 8D, A3, Fishbone, 5 Why, or equivalent.
- Strong organizational, analytical, planning, and project management skills.
- Ability to create technical reports and present findings to management, customers, and cross-functional teams.
- Computer literacy including Microsoft Office applications and ERP systems.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, manufacturing documentation, and customer requirements.
- Knowledge of machining, assembly, welding, brazing, anodizing, cleaning, and other precision manufacturing processes.
- Experience coordinating failure-analysis activities and verification testing.
- Knowledge of electromechanical assemblies and cleanroom manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of quality systems, SPC, PFMEA, Control Plans, and corrective action processes.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:- Lean Manufacturing Certification/Training
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Equivalent
- GD&T Certification/Training
- ERP System Certification/Training
- Root Cause Analysis / Problem Solving Training
- Project Management Certification/Training
PHYSICAL DEMANDS WHILE PERFORMING THE JOB:- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
- The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle objects.
- The employee is occasionally required to lift and move objects up to 15 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB:- The physical environment requires the employee to work in a normal office setting with frequent visits to the manufacturing floor and certified cleanroom.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.
- The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to moderate
- The employee will be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to hazardous materials commonly used in a manufacturing environment (i.e., safety glasses and shoes, gloves, ear plugs/covers, mask, cleanroom suit) in the shop floor area.
