Senior Production Engineer at JTEKT North America in Piedmont, SC

Sr. Production Engineer (focus on Induction heat treatment)

JTEKT North America is a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools. As a proud member of the Toyota Group, we are committed to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. Our Piedmont plant has undergone a major expansion, that brought in over 120 new machines and automation systems, creating exciting opportunities for growth and advancement.

Summary/Purpose

Responsible for induction heat treatment process performance across JTEKT Piedmont site's 8 heat treat machines spanning across multiple production areas. Responsible for case-depth and hardness process control, equipment reliability, and quality risk management for every hardened shaft and race produced in the plant. This is across various lines technical functions supporting the Lead Engineer, heat treatment, with the mandate to formalize documentation and standards so this expertise is shared across multiple team members.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities:

• Responsible for induction heat treatment process parameters (frequency, power, quench, case depth, hardness profile) across all heat treat machines and product lines.
• Lead root-cause investigations on heat treat quality issues - case depth deviation, hardness out-of-spec, cracking, distortion; partnering with Quality and supplier metallurgy as needed.
• Responsible for preventive maintenance strategy and reliability improvement for induction heat treat equipment: coils, quench systems, and power supplies.
• Specify and coordinate coil design/rework with vendors to support process changes and new part introductions.
• Support APQP/PPAP and PFMEA for heat treat process and product changes, including new equipment commissioning.
• Provide across multiple lines technical oversight and PM oversight for heat treat equipment, escalating quality risk to the Lead Engineer, and heat treatment.
• Mentor Area Owners and technicians on induction heat treat fundamentals across lines to build floor-level troubleshooting capability.
• Support 5S and safety initiatives in heat treat areas.
• Other duties as assigned by management

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Hands-on induction heat treatment process experience (case hardening, harness/case depth control) in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment
• Working knowledge of steel metallurgy relevant to hardened shaft/race components
• Structured root-cause, problem solving methodology (8D, 5Why, PFMEAA, etc.) in an IATF environment
• Proven ability to troubleshoot heat treat power supplies and controls (i.e., Inductoheat, EFD, Ajax Tocco) and supporting PLC/HMI systems
• Ability to read part prints, metallurgical specifications, and analyze statistical process data (Cpk/Ppk)
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written
• Proficient computer skills (especially Excel, SolidWorks, Auto CAD, etc.)
• Safety and ergonomic knowledge related to manufacturing
• Able to access equipment and ability to work overtime and weekends when needed to support equipment issues.
• The following are preferred:
  • Automotive driveline or CVJ shaft or precision component heat treat background
  • Coil design or quench system experience
  • Supporting heat treatment across multiple lines simultaneously
  • Lean / TPS / Six Sigma exposure
  • Experience within a Toyota Group style operation

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering or equivalent technical degree and equivalent relevant experience
• 5+ years related experience, preferably in induction heat treatment within an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment
• Capital procurement experience and equipment grooming for production
• Automated equipment 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. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work shift as assigned and overtime is required, as needed.
• Will be required to do the following throughout the shift: standing, bending, pushing, pulling, reaching above and below shoulders, moving left to right repetitively, grasping, and fine finger dexterity.
• May be required to lift during shift up to 40 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required with this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as steel toed shoes, safety glasses with side shields.
• Forklift, walkee stacker, and or scissor lift experience is a plus.