Engineer - Die Cast Tooling

TITLE

Die Cast Tooling Engineer 

COMPANY

JTEKT Automotive North America

DEPARTMENT

Die Cast Engineering Support

LOCATION

Morristown, TN

CLASSIFICATION

Salaried Exempt

REPORTS TO

Supervisor – Die Cast Engineering

GRADE

105

REVISION DATE

11/07/23

REVISION LEVEL

3

Summary/Purpose

This position is responsible for welding die repairs, interaction with vendors, CAD drawings and other duties, as required.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities:

• Performs and or advises welding on casting die cavities and subsequent grinding, polishing, filing, fitting so as to return tool to production specifications.
• Performs and or advises duplication cavity shape per casting drawing, sample casting, and/or sample cavity.
• Interacts with vendors / suppliers with respect to spare die components, Kaizen ideas, and drawing changes.
• Ability to produce CAD drawings needed to have spare parts manufactured.
• Maintains adequate inventory of die cavities, die spare parts, and shot-end tooling.
• Prepares die life / die order forecasts for review by DCE.
• Maintains neat personal work area & maintains adequate quantity of supplies.
• Participates in QC circle and activities as requested.
• Works with Die Maintenance department to inspect new dies and fit new cavities for PPAP preparation or die repair.
• Ability to assist in troubleshooting of downtime events. Ability to determine if die or process / machine problem.
• Provides Kaizen suggestions to cross function team.
• Provides engineering services to assigned area of responsibility.
• Analyses process/equipment/tooling problems for long term solutions.
• Continuously improves assigned area processes.
• Performs tooling testing, as assigned.
• Accesses spare part problems and make appropriate changes, as approved.
• Manages new capital purchases
• Performs housekeeping duties, as required.
• Other duties as assigned by Manager.
• Provides technical leadership and/or training / guidance to Die Maintenance Department and establishes “best practices” for die maintenance/repair.
• Prepares die spare parts list and orders components for new product launch.
• Support all first article inspection requirements for tooling, prototyping, and PPAP events as part of the design lifecycle
• May travel to outside vendors for tooling runoff.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work without close supervision.
• Safety oriented.
• Ability to organize and to plan.
• Product equipment and process knowledge.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Conflict solving skills.
• Proven problem solving ability.
• Mechanical reasoning skills.
• Ability to analyze statistical data (Minitab experience a bonus)
• Knowledge of IATF16949 requirements.
• Close tolerance measurement.
• High level math skill.
• Part drawing interpretation.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work overtime is an essential function of the position.
• Computer skills – Excel, Microsoft Word, Auto CAD LT, Oracle/ERP
• 3D Modeling Experience (Solidworks, CATIA, Inventor, etc.)
• 3D CAM experience
• Physical agility to access equipment.
• Ability to lift 60 lbs. on occasion.
• Ability to work in plant environment.
• Ability to deal with stress.
• Ability to train others.
• Knowledge in GMAW (Mig), SMAW (Stick) and GTAW (TIG) welding practices.
• Ability to work overtime and weekends when needed.
• Preventative Maintenance System experience Optional.

Education and Experience:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Automated equipment troubleshooting experience in Die Casting Operations.
• Experience in high volume manufacturing.
• Capital procurement experience and grooming for production.
• Automated equipment troubleshooting experience.
• Casting process quality improvement experience.
• Die Casting Mold Design and troubleshooting experience.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is mostly performed in a normal office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards, and with substantial time spent working on a computer.  Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection.
• Travel by automobile and plane required approximately 5-10% of time.