Copper (Bus) Bar Fabrication Process Expert

thyssenkrupp Materials•Independence, MO

About The Position

Copper (Bus) Bar Fabrication Process Expert leverages deep, hands-on experience to share knowledge, improve fabrication processes, and proactively identify operational risks and potential solutions in copper bus bar and related fabrication activities. This role focuses on strengthening internal capabilities by transferring expertise, improving consistency, and helping teams avoid common and costly fabrication pitfalls, while also providing advisory expertise and support for implementing new or updated processes (including epoxy coating, powder coating, and plating). Engagement is advisory in nature; the expert provides recommendations and guidance while execution and decision-making remain with site leadership and functional owners.

Requirements

Extensive hands-on experience in copper bus bar fabrication, including cutting, punching, forming, machining, and finishing
Excellent communication and teaching skills

Nice To Haves

Experience developing or supporting training programs or standardized work
Familiarity with Copper Buss fabrication and finishing environments
Comfortable operating as a trusted advisor rather than a direct decision-maker

Responsibilities

Process Improvement & Best Practices Evaluate existing copper bus bar fabrication and finishing processes and recommend practical improvements
Share proven fabrication methodologies that improve repeatability, quality, safety, and efficiency
Identify process variation, inefficiencies, and unnecessary complexity before they become production issues
Support the development of standardized work, process flows, and best-practice guidelines
Provide advisory consulting on the implementation of new or revised finishing processes (e.g., epoxy coating, powder coating, and plating), including process definition input, vendor alignment guidance, and shop-floor rollout recommendations (execution owned by site teams)
Identifying Pitfalls & Risk Mitigation Proactively identify common fabrication, finishing, and subcontracting pitfalls based on prior experience
Educate teams on high-risk features such as tolerance stack-ups, forming limitations, sequencing errors, and handling damage
Help teams recognize early warning signs of quality or throughput issues
Provide insight into “lessons learned” from past successes and failures to prevent repeat issues
Training & Knowledge Transfer Advise leadership and key personnel (e.g., supervisors, value-stream leads, lead operators, and quality leads) to help develop copper bus bar fabrication understanding, shop-floor awareness, and key process constraints so they can effectively lead, troubleshoot, and reinforce standards
Translate complex fabrication concepts into practical, easy-to-understand guidance
Support leadership and key personnel by providing input to onboarding and upskilling plans for employees involved in copper fabrication or subcontracted operations, ensuring training is consistent and aligned to standardized work (with ownership remaining with functional leaders)
Drawing & Manufacturability Education Review drawings and specifications with teams to explain manufacturability concerns and risk areas
Guide teams in recognizing ambiguous callouts or design choices that can create downstream issues
Promote clear communication between internal teams and external fabrication partners
Cross-Functional Advisory Support Act as a subject-matter expert for copper bus bar fabrication across the organization
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by grounding decisions in real-world fabrication experience