Job Description:Purpose:The Project Engineer role is responsible for leadership of product development projects from a technical point of view, with further responsibility for product performance analysis, design validation and collaboration with manufacturing regarding design for manufacturability for the KineticoPRO® filtration center of excellence in Suwanee, GA. Product development is focused on several key water filtration platforms in the commercial filtration market.
Key Areas of Responsibilities:- Leads technical product development projects from a design and engineering perspective.
- Develops 2D/3D models and prints using SolidWorks.
- Designs components, sealing members, interfaces, structural members, and systems utilizing drinking-water compatible materials.
- Performs Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis on product designs to ensure manufacturability, field performance, and meets marketing / customer requirements.
- Develops low-cost proof of concept prototypes, performs structural testing and incorporates learnings to optimize the cost, feasibility, and performance of the designs.
- Applies a "decision by data" approach and seeks ways to identify simple and economic means to gather and document product performance.
- Engages manufacturing / operations and proposes cost reduction or yield enhancement opportunities tied to design or assembly operations. Drives changes to enhance value / performance / and reduce labor cost.
- Collaborates with suppliers to ensure components are manufactured to design and performance expectation. Is willing to alter the design for reduced cost and enhanced manufacturability while keeping the design intent vision and product performance outcome intact.
- Participates in formal design reviews, DFM / DFA activities, and automation design.
- Leads / manages projects on a day-to-day basis towards agreed upon completion dates.
Key Performance Indicators:- Proficiency of designing components, assemblies, and understanding the interactions of components in a product design.
- Thorough understanding of plastics, metals, fabrication processes, elastomers, and associated manufacturing processes.
- Ability to collaborate, influence and build relationships across capabilities, channels and business units.
- Effective management of multiple projects and deadlines.
- Identifies areas of opportunity for cost reduction, platform optimization and recommends areas for product performance enhancements.
Key Challenges and Decisions:- This position will continue to build the cornerstone of the Suwanee operation's product development capability.
- Reviewing all existing product for proper performance, making enhancements to improve performance, and documenting and implementing the changes will be the initial focus of the role.
Job Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical.
- 5+ years of experience in designing highly reliable products, for mass production. Experience with water filtration products is a plus.
- Experience with engaging other functions within the organization to create project scope documents.
- Understanding and ability to prescribe various product testing and validation methodologies.
- Direct experience using SolidWorks to create 3D models and 2D drawings.
- Understanding of and ability to perform tolerance stack-up calculations.
- Understanding of seal design, injection molding, and metal machining / fabrication.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills in order to manage multiple customers and stakeholders
- Leadership skills and collaborative work style
- Strong analytical, problem solving and project management skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task
- 10% travel required
Organizational Context:
The Project Engineer role reports to the Sr. Director Technology / Product Development for the commercial marketplace. This role collaborates with all technical functions as well as the sales, marketing, management and IT capabilities across the Suwanee operation as well as throughout the Kinetico organization.
