General Description
- Provide advance product and manufacturing design support to IAC manufacturing facilities, IAC product design team, and OEM to assure manufacturing feasibility and robust processes are driven into product design from a secondary tool perspective
- Assist IAC plants in the development of RFQ, quote reviews/vetting, sourcing decision, and technical discussions with IAC management & OEM’s.
- Assist in optimizing manufacturing efficiency and quality standards through the implementation of improved processes, materials, methods, and facilities.
- Support manufacturing facility
- Manage activities / others related to the tool design, construction, budget and timing of secondary machine / fixture builds for new program launches.
- Provide tooling leadership to project teams to support customer needs
- Manage secondary machine / fixture build activities with suppliers to meet IAC program timing, cost and quality objectives.
Engineering Leadership
- Lead, develop, and mentor a team of product engineers and technical professionals.
- Establish engineering priorities and resource plans aligned with business objectives.
- Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Drive technical problem-solving utilizing structured methodologies.
Product Development
- Direct product engineering activities throughout the product lifecycle, including concept development, feasibility assessments, design reviews, validation, launch, and production support.
- Ensure designs meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and cost objectives.
- Oversee design validation plans, testing activities, and engineering sign-offs.
- Lead engineering change management processes and product optimization efforts.
- Support advanced engineering and innovation initiatives to enhance product performance and competitiveness.
Program and Launch Management
- Partner with Program Management to ensure engineering deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget.
- Identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans.
- Support APQP activities, including DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, and launch readiness assessments.
- Provide engineering leadership during new product launches and major engineering changes.
- Ensure lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future programs.
Customer Interface
- Serve as the primary engineering contact for assigned customers.
- Participate in customer design reviews, technical discussions, and program status meetings.
- Address customer concerns, warranty issues, and product quality concerns through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Support business development activities by providing technical expertise during customer quotations and product development discussions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Operations, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Tooling, and Commercial teams to achieve business objectives.
- Support cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with suppliers on component development and technical requirements.
- Ensure effective communication and alignment across global and regional stakeholders.
Quality and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements, industry standards, and internal engineering procedures.
- Support IATF 16949, ISO, safety, and regulatory compliance activities.
- Participate in customer audits and technical reviews.
- Promote product reliability, durability, and manufacturability throughout development and production.
Financial and Strategic Responsibilities
- Support engineering budget development and resource planning.
- Drive productivity improvements and engineering efficiency initiatives.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and market trends to support future product strategies.
- Contribute to strategic planning and organizational improvement initiatives.
Position Specific Requirements (PSR)
- Champion the preproduction machine run-offs and approval processes to assure prompt PPAP based quoted cycle times and OEE’s
- Participate in cost negations pertaining to tool and engineering change costs
- Support pre-production machine start up at IAC Manufacturing plants during the PPAP process
- Provide technical support to IAC Manufacturing plants on troubleshooting existing manufacturing processes and/or product lines to achieve customer quality standards and profit objectives.
- Assist in optimizing manufacturing efficiency and quality standards through the implementation of improved processes, materials, methods, and facilities.
- Ensure projects are executed with the proper safety devices per OSHA, NFPA, ANSI and IAC Standards
Physical Requirements
- Must have flexibility to work at and travel to IAC plant locations and supplier locations.
- 20%-30% of your time will be spent traveling supporting position requirements.
Education
- (4) yr ME Bachelor's Degree (Preferred)
Experience
- 7–10 years’ experience in machine / fixture design, construction/build, & follow-up for interior trim automotive components (Floor Consoles, Instrument Panels. Hard Trim, or Doors).
- Automotive experience with past programs / interior trim launches
- Ability to resolve issues quickly and to recognize and resolve threats to program objections
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Must have good negotiating skills. Position involves reviewing and establishing tool costs with suppliers and OEM cost analyst
- Must be able to work independent of direct supervision, especially when away from the office
- Must be able to work as a member of the launch team, be proficient at working with all levels of the organization, while maintaining a sense of individual accountability and responsibility Automotive experience with past programs / interior trim launches
- Excellent time management and project management skills.
- Must have good written and oral skill sets, be proficient with Microsoft Office and other computer skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while managing a team
