Description

RPE Technician

Primary Objective

The RPE Technician operates within the Rapid Prototyping & Engineering group of the research and development department. This individual is responsible for the setup and processing of additive manufacturing (3D printing) projects, as well as occasional setup and operation of subtractive manufacturing tools (Machining - Mill, Lathe, CnC) to meet project timelines. This individual will work in conjunction with team members, leaders, and customers to ensure successful completion of projects, while maintaining high quality standards. The RPE Tech helps drive improvements, cost reductions, and day-to-day development opportunities to meet and exceed internal and external targets.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Run all aspects of day-to-day additive manufacturing jobs to meet and exceed customers’ expectations.
• Set up and operate subtractive processes (machining) for necessary projects.
• Coordinate machine schedule based on customer demand and output.
• Post process 3d printed and machined parts when necessary to meet compliance.
• Generate and manage lab documentation (Request forms, run sheets, BOM’s, specification changes, ECO’s, reports, print revisions, fixturing, protocols, etc.).
• Contribute to culture of mutual respect, trust, accountability, and teamwork.
• Collaborate effectively within a cross functional team of internal and external resources to maintain strong customer relationships and exceed customer expectations.
• Ensure customer and Company requirements are met including cost, quality, timing, and other related aspects of programs.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts, research, recommend,and initiate implementation of enhancements to products, processes, andprograms.
• Comply with all local, state, federal, and SPG safety regulations, policies, and procedures
• Other duties as required by project demands.

Qualifications

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, Education and Experience

• 5 to7 years’ experience of related or BS in Engineering.
• Direct experience operating 3d printing equipment (FDM, SLA, PuSL, SLS, etc.)
• Direct experience operating machining equipment (Mill, Lathe, CnC)
• Competence with Solidworks, CAM or comparable CAD program
• Strong documentation skills with ISO 13485 knowledge preferred.
• Creative problem-solving skills - ability to identify, gather, and analyze information to develop solutions and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Understanding of plastic materials and ability to research materials.
• Knowledge of thermoplastics materials and processing.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Superior time management / prioritization skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite including but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and other business and database programs.
• Demonstrated ability to identify key issues that impact customer requirements and develop the initiatives to address them in a cost-effective manner. Forward thinking, innovation, and a working understanding of cost and operational impacts are essential.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Engineering, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, and the Management Team.

Company Competencies

• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Job Competencies

• Communication
  • Strong leadership, communication, and collaborative working together skills, along with analytic and strategic planning capabilities.
  • Consistently clarifies purpose and importance; stresses major points; follows a logical sequence.
• Customer Focus
  • Makes Customers and their needs a primary focus.
  • Develops & sustains productive customer relationships.
  • Actively seeks information to understand customer’s circumstances, problems, expectations, and needs.
  • Present program/project level information to customers to build their understanding of issues & capabilities.
  • Considers how program/project level actions or plans will affect customers.
  • Responds quickly to meet customer needs & resolves problems.
  • Assist Engineering & Manufacturing Team Leaders in implementing ways to monitor and evaluate customer concerns, issues, and satisfaction and to anticipate customer needs.
• Decision Making
  • Consistently recognizes a wide range of complex specialized issues, problems, or opportunities in own work group, across the organization and with external customers; determines whether action is needed.
  • Steadily identifies the need for and collects information to better understand issues, problems, and opportunities.
  • Regularly integrates complex information form a wide variety of sources; detects complex trends, associations and cause-effect trends, associations, and cause effect relationships.
  • Consistently creates relevant options for addressing problems/opportunities and achieving desired outcomes.
  • Formulates clear decision criteria, evaluates options by considering implications and consequences; chooses an effective option.
  • Consistently implements decisions or initiates action within a reasonable time.
  • Regularly includes fellow team members across the organization and external customers in the decision-making process as warranted to obtain good information, make the most appropriate decisions, and ensure buy-in and understanding of the resulting decisions.

Physical Demands

Must be able to support the production floor as required. The physical demands may include:

• Walking, standing and sitting
• Lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling
• Reaching overhead, at or below shoulder level
• Climbing ladder/stairs, stooping, crouching, kneeling
• Gross manipulation and seldom fine manipulation
• Driving

Work Environment

• Works in an office and manufacturing environment
• Occasionally exposed to dust, odors, fumes and noise
• Occasional travel required.