Process Engineer

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Overview

Hendrickson is searching for a Process Engineer to join their Elastomers Business Unit in Kendallville, IN. This role is responsible for the design, construction, delivery and launch of all new tools and equipment directly and indirectly related to the launch of new elastomer products within the plant. The Engineer plans utilization of facilities & equipment to support manufacturing personnel and maintains current tools and equipment in our manufacturing processes to reduce scrap and improve efficiency.

• Manage complex projects related to manufacturing, tooling and process engineering with limited supervision and assure adherence to cost, timing, and budgetary targets.
• Evaluate existing processes and technologies and make improvements regarding cost and quality.
• Lead and or support continuous improvement project teams assigned to various elastomer manufacturing processes within the facility.
• Develop new processes to improve capability, output, safety, and reliability.
• Understand, participate, and actively contribute in the APQP process within the cross‑functional team.
• Participate in the new product development process to ensure manufacturability and lowest cost solutions.
• Responsible for signing off on the product design as it pertains to manufacturability and costs.
• Evaluate and approve design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
• Coordinate activities concerning technical developments, scheduling, and resolving engineering design and test problems.
• Lead the development of innovative tooling solutions taking design concepts from inception to launch.
• Interface with internal product design teams and or customer to specify design criterion for molded details as to how it interfaces with the mold.
• Create tooling specifications and expenditure requests, send to potential vendors to obtain quotes.
• Procure equipment and tooling, track vendor timing to plan and approve equipment and tooling at the vendors. Key contact for interface between the plant and the tool vendors.
• Assist in equipment layout preparation.
• Ensure that the equipment and tooling are installed properly, to specifications, and establish the optimum processing conditions.
• Troubleshoot equipment and tooling problems through the launch ramp‑up phase and throughout the life of the program.
• Maintain molding equipment and tooling drawings and update as required.
• Support the maintenance department with technical advice on equipment failures and the preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Train supervisors, operators, and technicians as appropriate.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related engineering discipline with 3+ years of directly related experience.

• Thorough understanding of rubber molding manufacturing techniques and practices.
• Proficient in the design, analysis and fabrication of tooling and equipment used in manufacturing for the molding and assembly of rubber products.
• Sound knowledge of tooling design for rubber assembly as related to assembly operation and injection molding.
• Experience in rubber and/or plastic processing and equipment – injection presses, cutting, and assembly operations. REP press knowledge preferred but not required.
• Experience communicating and explaining technical processes and process limitations and how product design is affected by such limitations. Audience can be customers, project engineers, management, etc.
• Experience in justification and procurement of capital equipment.
• Solid understanding of Lean Manufacturing Principles, Process Statistics, and Basic quality systems.
• Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills.
• Self‑starter and motivated. Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong team orientation, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled in interpersonal relations with hourly production workers, engineers, maintenance, and management.
• The ability to effectively present information to top management.
• CAD experience, preferably with Unigraphics and Solid Edge.
• PC literacy including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Project, and Access software tools.

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