R&D Manufacturing Engineer

Superior Essex•Fort Wayne, IN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves interfacing with the global Innovation Team to provide expertise and develop equipment that supports magnet wire products. The engineer will apply sound engineering principles to improve the quality, efficiency, and cost of state-of-the-art magnet wire products. Key responsibilities include providing hands-on technical leadership for the R&D process, technical project planning, and directing R&D production process staff. The position also entails developing and leading training programs for new hires, interpreting internal specifications, and designing process setups, tooling, and key parameters for critical customer samples. The role requires developing simulation models for tooling optimization, managing data collection, synthesis, and analysis with an emphasis on digital automation, and assisting with project management, planning, and support. Communication of project milestones and critical paths is essential for ensuring timely results. The engineer will also work collaboratively with team members and other departments, provide technical support for new equipment evaluation, and assist with assembly, installation, startup, training, and product launch phases. Responsibilities include operating and evaluating prototype equipment, documenting performance, recommending modifications, maintaining records, and creating operating instructions. Promoting safety and maintaining a clean workspace following 5S principles are also crucial. The role requires close collaboration with equipment, process, and material teams to ensure functional design and operation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
3+ years previous engineering experience required.
Confident and experienced in using Solidworks or comparable 3D modelling software.
Experience with 3D printing or strong willingness to learn
Ability to mechanically assemble prototypes
Possess demonstrated ability with analytical skills: methodically investigate problems, organize logical experimental trials, document data, and present results.
Possess “hands-on” experience with equipment operation and optimization.
Practical experience sufficient to create and modify tooling for sample production, relying on practical mathematics proficiency and engineering comprehension
Possess ability to document and create standard work procedures, instructions, BOMs and other documentation.
Strong PC skills required

Nice To Haves

Highly developed written and oral communication
Experience with FEA/CFD preferred
Experience with solution polymer coating processes.
Experience with implementing automated statistical process control (SPC) tools for reporting and analysis; eg. Ignition, JMP, Minitab

Responsibilities

Interface with global Innovation Team to provide knowledge, skills and develop equipment which supports magnet wire products
Apply sound engineering principles and methods to produce state of the art magnet wire products with objective to improve quality, efficiency and cost
Hands-on technical leadership of R&D process. Technical project planning and direction to R&D production process staff.
Develop, optimize, improve and lead training program for new hires working as R&D process staff.
Interpret internal specifications (MWSS) and lead design of process setup, tooling selection, and key parameters to produce critical customer samples
Develop simulation models for tooling optimization
Responsible for data collection, synthesis, and analysis from R&D production process; with emphasis on practical digital automation.
Assist with project management, planning and support, communicate project milestones and critical paths regularly to ensure functional and timely results
Work and communicate well with team members and other departments
Provide technical support for new equipment evaluation, assist with the assembly, installation, startup, training, and product launch phases
Operate and assist with the evaluation of prototype equipment, document performance, and recommend modifications
Maintain records and files of versions and revisions
Creates and maintains operating instructions for all processes in R&D production process.
Promote safety, maintain a clean and well-organized workspace following 5S principles
Works closely with equipment, process and material teams to ensure functional design and operation