We have an opportunity in our Vonore, TN manufacturing plant for a
Principal Production Engineer. If you want an opportunity to make a difference and enjoy fast paced, challenging work this is the career for you!
Summary/PurposeLeads the development and launch of manufacturing equipment and processes for automotive steering systems. Translates product designs, engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and customer requirements into safe, capable, reliable, and cost-effective production solutions. Manages capital equipment projects from concept and supplier selection through installation, validation, and production handoff while coordinating cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers.
Essential Duties and Accountabilities:- Review product designs, engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, and customer requirements to define manufacturing needs and acceptance criteria.
- Develop manufacturing concepts, production processes, equipment specifications, engineering standards, and requests for quotation (RFQs).
- Evaluate supplier proposals and quotations; recommend suppliers based on technical capability, cost, schedule, risk, and compliance with project requirements.
- Prepare equipment cost estimates, project budgets, capital expenditure requests, and investment justifications.
- Lead capital equipment projects through concept, specification, quotation, supplier selection, design review, build, runoff, installation, commissioning, validation, and production handoff.
- Direct supplier design reviews and build activities, including technical follow-up, risk identification, issue resolution, and escalation.
- Plan and conduct equipment trials, runoffs, and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at supplier and manufacturing locations.
- Coordinate equipment installation, ITO, TTO, Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, debugging, and process optimization.
- Conduct capability studies, validation trials, customer production trials, and approval activities.
- Apply APQP, DFM/DFA, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, poka-yoke, cycle-time analysis, and manufacturing-readiness practices to new and revised processes.
- Coordinate Production, Quality, Maintenance, Safety, Purchasing, Product Engineering, suppliers, machine builders, and customer engineering to meet safety, quality, capacity, cycle-time, reliability, cost, and volume targets.
- Prepare and present technical updates, project reports, manufacturing documentation, and supplier or customer contact reports.
- Support product and process launches, and transition validated equipment and processes to Production and Maintenance.
- Work overtime, including Saturdays and/or Sundays, when directed by the immediate supervisor or required to complete essential duties.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. It provides technical and project leadership to cross-functional teams, suppliers, and contractors.
Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Advanced ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, technical specifications, product designs, and customer requirements.
- Ability to develop detailed equipment specifications and RFQs and to evaluate supplier quotations and proposed technical solutions.
- Knowledge of DFM/DFA, DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC, process capability, poka-yoke, cycle-time analysis, and production readiness.
- Working knowledge of CNC machining, precision assembly, automation and robotics, PLC-controlled equipment, heat treatment, gauging, testing, and manufacturing tooling relevant to the assigned process area.
- Experience with equipment runoffs/FAT, installation, commissioning/SAT, capability studies, and production validation trials.
- Ability to assess manufacturing processes against safety, quality, capacity, reliability, cycle-time, cost, and production-volume requirements.
- Strong project-management skills, including schedule and budget control, supplier management, risk identification, issue resolution, and escalation.
- Ability to coordinate and influence cross-functional teams, suppliers, machine builders, customers, and other stakeholders without direct authority.
- Proficiency with CAD, word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation, project-tracking, ERP, and MES applications.
- Strong technical writing, presentation, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a team environment with limited supervision.
Requirements may be waived by the Department Director/Manager and Human Resources Director when a candidate is otherwise qualified
Education and Experience:- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechatronics Engineering; master's degree preferred.
- Five or more years of automotive manufacturing engineering experience, including at least three years supporting new model launches and providing team or project leadership.
- Experience with IATF 16949 quality systems and core tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Toyota Production System (TPS), Six Sigma, and 8D problem solving; Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
- Experience with machining, assembly, robotics and automation, error-proofing, line balancing, and time studies.
- Experience with AutoCAD, CATIA or NX, Minitab, Microsoft Project, and ERP/MES systems.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:The work environment and physical demands described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Sit for extended periods with intermittent walking.
- Use manual dexterity for computer work, writing, filing, sorting, and similar office or manufacturing-support tasks.
- Communicate effectively in person and by phone.
- Visually read reports, engineering documents, and computer screens.
- Maintain a regular schedule of at least eight hours per day, five days per week, with additional hours as business needs require.
The employee may perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
