Engineering Leader - Plant 3

Howmet Aerospace•Whitehall, MI

About The Position

The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Leader will be based at Plant 3, Whitehall Casting Operation, supporting manufacturing through focused projects to improve throughput, reduce inventory, and lower operating expenses. The role leads and engages employees in reducing labor costs through cellular manufacturing and new or improved methods and equipment. It requires applying standard practices and techniques, adjusting and correlating data, identifying discrepancies, and taking corrective action. The leader documents work, prepares technical notes and reports, and establishes internal and external customer contacts as needed. The role leads product yield improvement, variation reduction, and cost-reduction initiatives related to manufacturing ceramic cores and parts; directs product tool and part designs and standards; and manages New Product Introduction (NPI) activities to meet project timelines, budgets, and quoted standards. It also develops and manages the plant scrap-reduction plan, participates in cost and product improvement and production problem-solving, and collaborates with engineering teams at casting facilities and engine manufacturers to optimize core design and producibility. The Engineering Leader creates an engaging environment, develops and manages training strategies for engineering staff, mentors and coaches associates, and encourages communication and collaboration across teams. The position serves as a technical customer liaison and is expected to promote continuous improvement, communicate effectively, influence others, and remain adaptable while focusing on measurable business outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
At least 5 years of experience in manufacturing.
At least 1 year of leadership experience.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment verification is required at hire, and visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Nice To Haves

Experience in continuous improvement, waste elimination, and Kaizen.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and negotiation skills; examples of problem-solving methods include 5 Why, Trucker’s Log, and A3 Thinking.
Leadership skills that foster an engaged employee environment.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from customers, managers, and employees.
Ability to read blueprints.
Experience with CAD.
Ability to analyze time studies to set labor standards and mechanical ability to identify better equipment for manufacturing.
Ability to provide technical leadership and guidance to manufacturing areas.
Experience in the investment casting industry.
Good financial literacy.

Responsibilities

Lead initiatives to improve product yield, reduce variation, and meet cost-reduction goals for ceramic core and part manufacturing.
Direct and manage product tool and part designs and standards.
Manage the New Product Introduction initiative to ensure product development meets overall project timelines, budget, and quoted standards.
Develop the plant scrap-reduction plan and manage initiatives and actions to achieve scrap targets.
Direct and participate in cost improvement, product improvement, and production problem-solving activities.
Establish professional working relationships with Engineering Managers and Engineering Teams at each casting facility and promote communication about product status and issues.
Work with engine manufacturer engineering teams and casting facility engineering teams to optimize core design and producibility as needed.
Create an environment of engagement and foster the development of engineering staff.
Manage training development strategies for engineering staff.
Lead focused manufacturing projects to improve throughput, reduce inventory and operating expenses, and lower labor costs through cellular manufacturing and improved methods and equipment.
Apply standard practices and techniques, analyze and correlate data, recognize discrepancies, and take corrective action.
Document work, prepare technical notes and reports, and establish internal and external customer contacts as required.
Serve as a technical customer liaison, communicate customer specifications, and act as a first point of contact for technical requirements internally and externally.
Facilitate creative problem-solving and continuous improvement, collaborate across disciplines and operations, and remove barriers between teams.
Mentor and coach associates, communicate expectations and technical requirements, and provide technical leadership and guidance.