Senior Process Development Engineer
About The Position
The Senior Process Development Engineer works on high-priority metalworking development projects that affect plant productivity and product quality. The position develops and optimizes machining and grinding processes for new product launches and continuous improvement of existing operations. It applies advanced technical expertise to complex process challenges while collaborating with cross-functional teams and working under the guidance of senior technical leaders. The role supports manufacturing teams and suppliers during launches and process improvement activities, contributes to manufacturing system design and validation, and documents and shares technical findings. Domestic and occasional international travel is required, typically 10–30% depending on project phase, with more travel during new launches and less during steady-state operations.
Requirements
- Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering degree (BSME or MSME); an associate degree or technical certification is acceptable with demonstrated advanced machining and grinding expertise.
- 5–7 years of diverse metalworking experience in machining and/or grinding.
- Strong problem-solving skills and experience developing new or improved manufacturing processes.
- Solid technical understanding of machining, grinding, and finishing processes.
- Good mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of electronics and sensor technologies.
- Comfort working in manufacturing environments and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
- Experience with equipment standards, metrology, and diagnostic tools.
- Experience with data acquisition systems, including power monitoring, acoustics, and accelerometers.
- Proficiency with SolidWorks.
- Ability to work effectively under general direction and follow established procedures and policies.
- Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs may be required.
- Domestic and occasional international travel, typically 10–30% depending on project phase.
Nice To Haves
- Experience manufacturing automotive driveline or precision rotating components, such as full and half shafts, CVJs, or bearings.
- Experience with Electronic Power Steering (EPS) or Electronic Brake systems.
- Experience supporting high-volume automotive production environments.
- Experience participating in PFMEA and Control Plan development.
- Experience with Mastercam.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize CNC turning and milling processes for new product launches and production improvement.
- Develop and optimize centerless and non-centerless grinding processes, including wheel, spindle, and dressing strategy.
- Design and validate work-holding concepts for repeatable, capable production processes.
- Apply GD&T expertise to process design, datum strategy, and tolerance capability to assess production feasibility.
- Conduct process capability studies, analyze statistical results, and implement improvements under direction of senior engineers.
- Troubleshoot machining and grinding issues involving tooling, vibration, thermal effects, and process stability.
- Investigate and evaluate new metalworking processes and technologies within assigned scope.
- Identify process improvement and cost-reduction opportunities through tooling strategy, cycle-time optimization, and waste reduction.
- Participate in the design and validation of new manufacturing systems and assist in training plant personnel.
- Support internal manufacturing teams and suppliers during launch and process improvement activities.
- Follow JTEKT quality gate systems, including PFMEA, process documentation, and capability confirmation.
- Travel to JTEKT manufacturing plants and suppliers to support process development and troubleshoot technical issues.
- Document process development work and share technical findings with team members.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
