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Job Posting

Careers Sr. Design Engineer

Sr. Design Engineer

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POSITION SUMMARY:

Plan, organize and execute projects, under Manager’s direction, related to the design and development of new products and tooling or modifications to existing tooling.  The Senior Design Engineer ensures that the design conforms to the tooling specifications, is manufacturable at estimated costs, and is technically sound.  The engineer will prepare conceptual and working layouts and oversee or prepare final layouts, assembly and detail drawings including bills of material.  As well as, coordinate the fabrication, assembly, testing and debugging of prototype tooling, production tooling, and equipment. The engineer ensures that projects are completed on schedule and within budget, and result in commercial equipment that operates in accordance with specifications. The Senior Design Engineer needs to be aware of and understand design criteria covering a range of various materials that we extrude and thermoform, i.e., PS, PP, PS/EVOH/PE, PS/PE, PET, XT, etc. The engineer will also manage projects related to the design and development of new equipment automation, in addition to other projects which may be assigned by Manager.

 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Prepare project plans and schedules for the development of new products and tooling, or modification of existing tooling in support of the company’s market objectives.
  • Recommend a broad design approach and utilization of internal vs. external resources.
  • Determine marketing requirements.
  • Determine design constraints (time, money, feasibility).  Gather relevant information on related tooling and tooling equipment available in the marketplace, and from trade and technical publications.
  • Prepare specifications.
  • Prepare project estimates, i.e. time, cost, manpower.
  • Prepare a project schedule for concept design execution, fabrication, testing and debugging. 
  • Monitor actual progress vs. plan and recommend or initiate corrective action where appropriate.
  • Ensure internal and external resources assigned to the project are properly utilized and coordinated.
  • Create conceptual designs and ensure the designs conform to specifications, are completed on schedule, are manufacturable at estimated costs, and are technically sound.
  • Requisition manpower.  Release drawings for manufacture of prototype tooling and equipment.
  • Explore alternative designs.
  • Prepare preliminary layouts.
  • Specify machine features and configuration.
  • Prepare supporting calculations and data.
  • Prepare conceptual and working layouts and oversee or prepare final layouts, assembly and detail drawings including bills of material.
  • Prepare conceptual layouts from project specifications, verbal and written instructions, field information, and other pertinent internal and external resources. 
  • Contact vendors and suppliers to determine specifications and availability of components and sub-systems.
  • Keep Project Manager/ Supervisor informed as to progress, to discuss and resolve problems, and to identify opportunities to reduce costs and/or to enhance the design.
  • Coordinate the fabrication, assembly, testing and debugging of prototype tooling, production tooling, and equipment.  Ensure tooling and/or equipment is manufactured within budget, according to specs, and on schedule.
  • Sign-off for acceptance of tooling and equipment.
  • Select vendors with supervisor’s approval to fabricate and/or assemble the tooling and/or equipment.
  • Explore cost reductions to incorporate into the design.
  • Ensure that layout drawings, assembly drawings and bills of material are complete.
  • Establish test specifications and ensure tooling and equipment operates as required.
  • Update designs and documentation based on testing & debugging of tooling and equipment.
  • Ensure modifications to components or features to tooling and/ or equipment operate according to specifications.
  • Make appropriate revisions to specifications based on results of in-house testing.
  • Plan and organize delivery and installation of tooling and equipment including support from operations where required.
  • Monitor field test results and direct changes to machine operating procedures as appropriate.
  • Make appropriate revisions to design specifications, tooling operating procedures, components, and/or features for final production based on field test results.
  • Arrange for the manufacture of samples for customers to evaluate product.
  • Request sheet from manufacturing groups to satisfy sample production.
  • Provide support to manufacturing in the actual production of samples.
  • Modify the product/equipment design if the samples do not meet customer’s specifications.
  • Provide direction to marketing related to the results and process capabilities of our manufacturing groups.
  • Provide technical advice, counsel, and direction to management and plant personnel on equipment and/ or tooling and related matters.
  • Troubleshoot major tooling/equipment problems.
  • Recommend production methods and procedures.
  • Manage projects so that they are completed on schedule and within budget and result in commercial tooling and equipment that operates in accordance with specifications.
  • Plan and organize own day-to-day activities, and project team activities to ensure that operational responsibilities are satisfactorily performed, that special projects and assignments are effectively completed, and performance standards are achieved.
  • Maintain project and engineering documentation (electronic and hardcopy) including revision control.
  • Prepare project appropriations and maintain appropriate documentation regarding status of projects including regular reports on project status, problems, and developments.
  • Prepare operating, maintenance, and troubleshooting manuals related to tooling and equipment.
  • Work with and/ or direct project activity at all manufacturing Plants.
  • Maintain effective and productive relationships with superiors, peers, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, and other company personnel, so that coordination of effort is optimal and so as to facilitate achievement of standards of performance.
  • Maintain effective and productive relationships with customers and vendors.
  • Be a mentor by assisting and/or providing direction in the development of the Engineering staff relative to tooling and/or equipment design.
  • Continue to develop and broaden technical skills and knowledge so as to maximize effectiveness.
  • Responsible for reporting food packaging safety problems to plant management.
  • In the incumbents absence these responsibilities will be transferred to a Design Engineer.

 

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Creative Conceptual Skills; Engineering Theory and Analysis; Tool and Machine Design; Plastic Thermoforming; Managing Suppliers; Project Scheduling and Management; Written and verbal communication skills; Supervisory skills; Ability to use precision measuring devices; 3D Modeling/ CAD Skills (AutoCAD and SolidWorks preferred); Microsoft Office

Must be trained in and follow company policies on GMP, sanitation programs, chemical control and food safety plans and policies.

Must be competent to carry out food packaging safety and quality responsibilities.

 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

  • 7-10 years of Engineering Project Management, Tool Design, Equipment Design, Product Design, and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Bachelors of Science Technical Degree; Mechanical Engineering preferred. Work related experience will be considered (minimum of 10 years experience with some college coursework/ technical training).

Winpak offers competitive salary and benefit packages as well as excellent opportunities for professional growth and development based upon the global location of the available position.

Qualified individuals are invited to submit a resume and salary expectations to:

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, WINPAK PORTION PACKAGING, INC. 3345 BUTLER AVENUE, SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL 60411-5590, Email: chicagojobs@winpak.com, Fax: (708) 755-7257

Winpak is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Pre-employment drug/alcohol/background screening may be required based on facility location.

Although we appreciate all applicants, only qualified applicants will be considered for interviews.