Principal Manufacturing Engineer

TITLE    Principal Manufacturing Engineer
COMPANY    JTEKT Automotive North America
LOCATION    Vonore, Tennessee    CLASSIFICATION    Salaried Exempt
REPORTS TO    M.E. Manager    Technical level 7

Summary/Purpose
Provide technical support for continuous improvement of plant operations and the execution of new/modified programs.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities: 
•    Design and execute trials to reduce cost: scrap reduction, cycle time reduction, Gentani, and short stop reduction.
•    Support Maintenance and Manufacturing as required on breakdowns, startups, and set-ups.
•    Recommend and assist in creation of effective set-up and maintenance procedures.
•    Investigate and formulate actions to mitigate “why make” side of non-conforming product flow-out issues.
•    Participate in new program manufacturing planning reviews.
•    Plan and execute process development trials to achieve initial process capabilities required.
•    Support manufacturing improvement and Kaizen teams.
•    Work daily/weekend overtime when directed by immediate supervisor or, as necessary, to complete essential job duties.
•    Perform other duties as assigned to achieve departmental objectives provided.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
•    This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 
•    Proficiency in multiple types of CNC controls, tooling geometry, machine tool processes and fixture design    
              and/or
•    Proficiency with automated, semi-automated, and manual automotive assembly equipment and cell design.
•    Sound understanding of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical circuits and controls.  
•    Strong organizational skills, able to work well under pressure and manage several tasks simultaneously.
•    Basic knowledge of applicable quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems.
•    PLC programming experience and robot programming experience desired.

Education and Experience: 
BS in Engineering (ME or EE preferred) plus 10+ yrs experience in metal removal and/or close tolerance assembly manufacturing.
 The above may be modified by the department Manager and the Human Resources Manager if the candidate is otherwise qualified.

Work Environment/Physical Demands: 
•    Able to walk approximately 3+ miles per day
•    Perform repetitive motions while walking or standing
•    Visually check for minute details when performing quality checks, detect color
•    Able to lift 35 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Employee may perform other duties as requested, directed or assigned.