Senior Design Engineer

ODL, Inc•Zeeland, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides visual representations by conceptualizing, designing, and developing prototypes for new and existing products. Utilizes design and development software, tools and equipment. Participates in design reviews, DFMEA, and project activities to ensure that products move through developmental phases smoothly. Reviews the tolerance stack up analysis done by fellow designers. Leads and coordinates activities related to establishment of Design Engineering guidelines, procedures, and related processes. Researches, recommends and maintains CAD hardware/software tools, standards and equipment. Ensures that systems are current and adequate to perform design work. Participates in continuous improvement processes, implementing procedures and processes to improve efficiency of department. Participates in cross-functional teams related to product development. Serves as a liaison between individuals and units, internally and externally as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Engineering or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
10-15 years related design experience with a variety of products.
Ability to operate standard and specialized equipment and software effectively (i.e. AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and apply common engineering, design and drafting principles.
Experience with tolerances, stack ups, and assemblies in accordance with industry standards and practices.
Good organization skills with the ability to work on projects from beginning to end.
Must be able to coordinate necessary resources and manage timing and implementation of projects.
Ability to work independently under limited supervision while taking initiative and make decisions to achieve goals and complete projects.
Demonstrated good communication skills to interact with internal and external contacts.
Proven leader with demonstrated successes in departmental improvements.

Nice To Haves

Is recognized as an expert in product area.
Is competent enough in peripheral disciplines to take on assignments at an intermediate level or above.
Has played a key role in developing or supporting the creation of templates and check sheets.
Can use PDM Works to add/remove parts, build assemblies, promote data through the life cycle process, conduct extended queries, understand BOM structures including parent/child relationships, version data and manage design alternatives.
The user is also able to exchange data with suppliers and remote sites.
Knowledgeable on the proper use of design guides and helps maintain the guides.
Has a deep understanding of the manufacturing footprint and incorporates this understanding in making design and cost decisions.
Thorough understanding of dimensional control considerations in the tooling.
Ability to leverage this knowledge in optimized product and tool designs.
Easily able to adapt the design to address tooling concerns.
Demonstrates understanding of how gauges are used to improve design integrity and influence product development.
The Senior Design Engineer can start with a blank sheet of paper and ideate product opportunities from scratch.
The Senior Design Engineer can draw on product and process knowledge to create product that is truly novel with increased value for ODL and its customers.
The Senior Design Engineer can intuitively determine validity of an idea, technically and commercially, without any need for time-consuming data acquisition.
Recognizes the need for (KT) Problem Solving approach.
Able to formulate inputs, use CAE tools, and analyze results on complex problems without guidance.
Generally a contributor, not a leader in planning efforts.
Can be counted on to deliver programs and projects on time.
Commands attention and respect from ODL employees, suppliers, and customers equal to (or beyond) title and positional authority.
Has well-developed whiteboarding skills and regularly uses them in team situations.

Responsibilities

Performs mathematical modeling for any phase of a program.
Evaluates the appropriate level of analysis (BEA, FEA, proto. test) and applies practical wisdom to determine the effort required to produce meaningful results.
Constructs sophisticated solid models and surfaces that are correct for all downstream activities.
Creates kinematic models and performs all necessary studies available in CAD tools.
Creates all required drawings.
Mentors Novice and Intermediate Engineers.
Considers manufacturing processes and datum schemes in the construction of the data.
Uses PDM Works to add/remove parts, build assemblies, promote data through the life cycle process, conduct extended queries, understand BOM structures including parent/child relationships, version data and manage design alternatives.
Exchanges data with suppliers and remote sites.
Maintains design guides.
Uses Indented Bill of Material with cost to evaluate every design decision.
Understands product costs to the level of being able to propose changes for improvement.
Incorporates understanding of the manufacturing footprint in making design and cost decisions.
Drives VA/VE to lower product cost.
Demonstrates thorough understanding of manufacturing processes and assembly methods.
Demonstrates thorough understanding of tooling considerations in the design of their particular product.
Leverages knowledge in optimized product and tool designs.
Adapts the design to address tooling concerns.
Understands production application of gauges for multiple product types and gauge configurations.
Establishes gauge datum and clamp strategy and identifies data acquisition method for each attribute.
Uses critical thinking to identify the issue and apply the appropriate problem solving approach.
Proficient in Pugh analysis to evaluate effective countermeasures.
Uses computer-based simulation and analysis tools (CAE).
Formulates inputs, uses CAE tools, and analyzes results on complex problems without guidance.
Navigates in Oracle and performs search criteria.
Understands tasks and routes.
Uses the system to execute the design function of the Product Change Management procedure and the ECR/ECO process.
Attends and provides input to Solidworks User Forums.
Stays current on new revisions and helps plan and implement software upgrades.
Effectively communicates with all levels of people, including customers, project teams, and management.
Reports with succinct, visual communication of information.
Maintains and enhances good positive relations in all situations and environments.
Contributes essential value to the teams he/she is on.
Stimulates performance in fellow team members through example.
Uses whiteboarding skills in team situations.
Familiar with traditional program management techniques and tactical planning tools.
Establishes tasks and priorities on a program.
Efficiently utilizes time and resources.
Effectively balances and executes multiple tasks with minimum guidance.
Identifies demand conflicts and seeks guidance when appropriate.
Demonstrates transparency; fully explains own position & confronts hidden agendas.
Does the right thing without worrying about personal sacrifice.
Lives the SSR culture and embraces ODL values.
Establishes clear, measurable goals; takes ownership of responsibilities and commitments to those goals; and moves others to take responsibility for their goals.
Achieves results in an unstructured, ambiguous & changing environment.
Addresses issues early to avoid surprises.
Approaches obstacles as challenges to overcome & works around roadblocks.