Lead Build Technician - Research & Development

Howmet Aerospace•Whitehall, MI

18d

About The Position

The Lead Build Technician will work in Howmet Aerospace’s Research and Development organization. The role provides technical expertise for equipment builds, including vacuum leak testing of vacuum casting, heat treat, and coating equipment to ensure vacuum integrity. The technician may travel to domestic and international customer sites for project installation and support, and work flexible schedules as needed to support equipment builds. The position also supports machine assembly and startup, provides technical expertise to contract supervision, and reviews and approves contractor timesheets. The technician maintains and improves technical knowledge and skills, contributes to teamwork and continuous improvement, assists supervision and management with technical and administrative matters, prepares project reports, and performs and documents preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment repair.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution.
At least five years of work experience in machine building, assembly, troubleshooting, testing, and machine startup.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.
Mechanical hands-on skills and working knowledge of computers.
Effective communication and leadership skills.
Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and mechanical drawings.
Ability to interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
Ability to solve practical problems and work with concrete variables where standardization is limited.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in industrial or manufacturing technology.

Responsibilities

Perform leak testing on vacuum casting, heat treat, and coating equipment to ensure vacuum integrity.
Travel to domestic and international customer sites for project installation and support.
Work flexible schedules as needed to support equipment builds.
Perform MIG, TIG, and stick welding operations.
Operate drill presses, saws, mills, lathes, and hand tools.
Provide technical expertise to contract supervision for machine assembly and startup.
Review and approve contractor timesheets.
Maintain and improve technical knowledge and skill proficiency.
Promote teamwork through positive interpersonal skills.
Assist supervision and management with technical and administrative matters.
Contribute to continuous improvement.
Prepare project reports.
Perform and document preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment repair duties.