Director of Engineering & Manufacturing
Enjet Aero, LLC
- New Britain, CT
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Lead engineering team comprising of manufacturing engineering, tool design, CNC programmers by performing the following duties personally or through direct reports.
- Directs department activities to design new products, modify existing designs, improve production techniques, and develop test procedures, and support production with defect-free processes.
- This position coordinates the total engineering focus of the Engineering department, as directed by staff level management, and transforms the information into a comprehensive plan.
- Forecasts operating costs of department and directs preparation of budget requests.
- Be the customer-facing technical lead for VOC activities.
- Manage new process development projects and coordinate activities with various internal and external customers.
- Provide project management expertise to ensure projects are completed efficiently and in a timely manner. Serve as coach and mentor to other manufacturing team members to share expertise and help them develop their project management skills.
- Establish and maintain integrated working relationships with segment teams, sharing best methods.
- Drive standardization throughout Enjet Aero by use of best methods sharing, benchmarking and setting process standards.
- Develop, evaluate and drive improvement in process methods and procedures.
- Create APQP documents including process flow diagrams, process FMEA's and control plans
- Lead capital and tooling acquisitions, analysis and strategies, as assigned.
- Design and applications of gages and fixtures.
- Interface with suppliers and development centers on best practice technology concepts for new product and process design
- Support business development with quotes, designs, VA/VE initiatives and technical presentations
- Provide technical support and assistance to the manufacturing, quality, development and advanced engineering teams
- Support and adhere to Enjet Aero and EH&S policies and procedures
- Support and adhere to Enjet Aero Quality Management System and required certifications
- Lead/kickoff program launch meetings and be a driving force to complete prototype manufacturing runs
- Provide input for design for manufacturability, process yield, and capacity
- Become subject matter expert in customer and product requirements for assigned part processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned
- BSME or similar 10+ year leadership experience in welding, machining, heat treat, brazing, and assembly of a make-to-order, high mix-low volume business
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations
- Experience in leading the technological team at a Tier 1 or 2 in the commercial aerospace metal manufacturing industry preferred, though automotive or medical device manufacturing experience will be considered
- Must have strong project management skills
- Extensive experience in tool and manufacturing assembly process development with knowledge CAD preferred, and functional expertise in the application of GD&T
- Advanced engineering experience required, with experience in rapid new product introduction a plus
- Experience applying automation to work processes to increase efficiency and manufacturing capacity a plus
- Experience leading continuous improvement a plus, with the ability to shift from a tactical to strategic mindset
- Ability to lead and function in a team environment, while effectively communicating across various levels of the organization
- Understanding of financial documents with ability to track part costs from quote through improvement comparisons.
- Experience with project management software (Microsoft Project, Smartsheet or similar)
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems (prefer Infor Visual) and CAD NX/SolidWorks
- Ability to adapt to rapidly changing business circumstance and environment
- Excellent problem-solving skills a must as realized through in resolving complex technical issues
- Sound financial understanding, including capital management and make/buy decision processes
- In depth knowledge of root cause and corrective action (RCCA/D3), DMAIC techniques, PDCA
- Working knowledge of PFMEA, 6-Sigma and other advanced quality improvement tools
- Experience with NX design software and/or EPICOR ERP system
- Proven new product launch success from beginning to end in a gated process
- Proven experience in Lean Manufacturing while mentoring, coaching others in rapid problem solving/improvement
- Identify potential roadblocks to project plan and make proper adjustments
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical and communication skills; a succinct verbal and written communication style; good listener
- Ability to lead up, down and to work well with peers; ability to push back without alienating others