Prototype Engineer - PLY at JTEKT in Plymouth, MI

Summary/Purpose:
The Prototype Manufacturing Engineer will help lead and perform all activities for building prototype systems in North America with a specific focus on Electric Power Steering products.  This includes internal test parts and customer delivered prototypes intended for vehicle and bench testing.  This position will also have some responsibilities for tracking time, materials, and costs associated with the builds.
Essential Duties and Accountabilities:
• Coordinate prototype builds and related activities between the N.A. Technical Center, Sales and Program Management.
• Manage overall prototype build schedule and required resources.
• Guarantee integrity of prototype builds, using incoming inspection data, control plans/ Process Flow Charts, final inspection methods, and end of line (EOL) performance test results.
• Lead or support Prototype Quality Assurance activities (Incoming component QA reviews & outgoing assembly QA reviews).
• Manage/archive all relevant build/inspection data as needed for records.
• Work with Purchasing to order all parts as needed for customer and internal builds.
• Develop and maintain all prototype build processes and work instructions.
• Assist in managing prototype shop growth.
• Work with Advanced Purchasing & Manufacturing to develop local prototype suppliers.
• Provide technical support to Sales and Engineering for prototype quotes to customers.
• Promote collaboration between US and Japan prototype build departments.
• Make technical presentations and reports.
• Work daily overtime and Saturdays and/or Sundays when directed by immediate supervisor or, as necessary, to complete essential job duties
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Working knowledge, understanding, and experience with product design, evaluation, and inspection of complex assemblies.
• Experience with building automotive prototype assemblies, preferably for safety related components.
• Experience working with prototype and production suppliers for low volume batch runs of parts.
• Solid local network of contacts within component suppliers and prototype shops.
• Requires good business acumen to capture and recover all costs associated with prototype builds.
• Ability to work independently on large and moderately complex projects, with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, while maintaining on-time customer delivery.
• Ability to lead and communicate effectively with customers, vendors, and other team members.
• Ability to perform hands-on testing and data collection.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Must be proficient in reading 2D component drawings and assembly drawings along with GD&T.
• Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills required.
Education and Experience:
• BS in Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical or Materials Engineering - Required.
• 2+ years of related automotive experience - Preferred
• Mechatronics experience – Desirable
• CATIA/CAD experience – Desirable
• LabVIEW/ Visual Basic experience – Desirable
• Vector CANalyzer/ CANoe/ CANape experience – Desirable
Benefits:
• Medical, Dental, Optical
• Supplementary Insurance
• Optional Benefits (pet insurance, legal consultation, cyber security, retirement support, mental health services, etc.)
• 401K (With match)
• HSA contribution
• Success Sharing
• Paid Time-Off
• Educational Reimbursement
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 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.
• This job also requires significant time working in a prototype lab and/or test lab, overseeing prototype parts builds.
• Ability to routinely climb up steps to reach machine levels and storage areas.
• Ability to stand for 2 hours at a time.
• Ability to use hand tools for machine setups, sample builds and sample teardown.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to pull, push, squat, twist, reach, grab and bend.
• The performance of this position will require exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and safety shoes
• Travel by automobile and plane required approximately 5-10% of time.