Manufacturing Engineer - Automation Controls

Job Description: Manufacturing Engineer – Automation Controls

Stabilus is a global leader in the production of gas springs and dampers on five continents. Our products can be used in a wide variety of industries, such as the automotive and office chair manufacturing industries, furniture technology, solar industry, medical technology, and many other industrial applications. This position will be located in our U.S. Headquarters in Gastonia, NC.

Objectives 

In this role, the ideal candidate will play a key role in our manufacturing processes, bringing expertise in automation controls and electrical engineering to optimize production efficiency. 

Responsibilities will include designing (to a certain extend), implementing, and maintaining automated systems, troubleshooting control systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance overall manufacturing capabilities.

This position provides support to manufacturing through efficient and correct introduction to manufacturing assembly operations of all parts currently used in or entering series production. 

Main Tasks 

• Ensure assigned production equipment is running at optimal performance of OEE, and quality
• Plan machine projects based on necessary improvement activities.
• Maintain the required spare parts for the production equipment.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of procedural forms.
• Ensure timely and accurate investigation reporting.
• Perform daily production and downtime reporting per department standard.
• Routine review of production boards.
• Effective communication with all levels of management.
• Provide required written documentation as required.
• Follow downtime notification system, to include but not limited to the submission of open work orders.
• Adherence to IATF 16949 standards.
• Responsible for production of products to design specification.
• Adherence to QAP guidelines.
• Attain internal and external PPM targets.
• Offer technical support to internal stakeholders regarding new and existing machinery.
• Generate comprehensive customer documentation, including user manuals, programming diagrams, network diagrams, and electrical schematics.
• Coordinate with the Sales department to contribute insights for quote preparation as needed.
• Participate in machine inspection and run-off processes to ensure alignment with design and equipment specifications, operational standards, and customer expectations.
• Develop electrical and control systems, both standard and custom, grounded in engineering principles. Engage in customer solution presentations.
• Define specifications for material and equipment procurement.
• Validate engineered systems (hardware and/or software) against specifications.
• Ensure seamless interface compatibility between designed machines and related equipment.
• Organize control system projects, encompassing scheduling, subcontracting, resource allocation, budgeting, and commissioning tasks.
• Oversee project workflow to guarantee timely delivery, quality assurance, and adherence to budgetary limits with support for both internal and external resources.
• Exercise fiscal responsibility to prevent project cost increases. 
• Uphold compliance with pertinent safety objectives and legal requirements.
• Fulfill the requirements of internal and external product containments.
• Attain department spending targets.
• Attain department productivity and efficiency targets.
• Attain department overtime targets.
• Attain department changeover targets.
• Maintain standard crew sizes to obtain production targets. 

Secondary Tasks

• Actively participate in quality investigations through 8D teams.
• Ensure timely dispositioning (within 24 hours) of nonconforming material.
• Utilization of proper quality documentation.
• Respond to internal audit findings in a timely manner.
• Ensure utilization of Statistical Process Control as required.
• Responsible for schedule compliance.
• Review suggestions from the respective shift.
• Provide labor improvement initiatives.
• Provide process improvement initiatives.
• Manage projects to a successful completion within schedule and cost parameters.
• Assist in meeting cost reduction and quality improvement objectives.
• Provide technical assistance, guidance, and instruction to team members as needed.
• Adherence to lock-out / tag-out procedures.
• Ensure the equipment is operating to process parameters.
• Ensure machine cycle times are to standard.
• Review of downtime trends and recommend improvement.
• Maintain material identification in accordance with internal quality standards.
• Assure production tooling and supplies are present at desired levels.
• Responsible for attaining external customer delivery metrics. 
• Will be partly responsible for the spending of over $4M dollars in MRO each year.
• Adherence to safety procedures and policies.
• Lead in accident investigations.
• Comply with company scheduled training sessions.
• Ensure adherence to evacuation procedure and account for all team members at marshalling area.
• Maintain company safety metrics.
• Ensure team member adherence to standardized work.
• Assessment of departmental skill level and development of cross training plan for team member development.
• Provide guidance to leads to maintain company objectives.
• Will have access to confidential team member information.
• Will have access to confidential company information regarding costs, processes, and procedures, that if shared could have a significant effect of the profitability of the organization.
• Recommends disciplinary actions and hires team members in cooperation with management.

Education, Training, Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably with a focus on Electrical or Controls Engineering. 
• Must have college degree or equivalent experience with a minimum of two years supervising 20 team members or more.

Experience

• Deep understanding of electrical systems and their seamless integration into manufacturing processes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective collaboration and interaction while conveying technical concepts.
• Demonstrated mastery in manufacturing engineering, with a specialization in automation controls.
• Skilled in the creation, programming, and resolution of issues in automation systems, particularly with Siemens PLC, vision systems, servo drives, AC motors, etc.
• Seasoned in project management, with robust troubleshooting abilities in electrical and control systems.
• Proficient in the design, maintenance, and analysis of electronic systems.
• Proficiency showcased in the creation, programming, and resolution of issues in automation systems.
• Exposure to electrical engineering design principles and methodologies, adept at generating, interpreting, and analyzing electrical schematics.
• Adaptive approach to learning new control platforms.
• Innovative problem solver, emphasizing outcomes, attentiveness, and precision.
• Capable of handling confidential information securely.
• Self-motivated with strong skills in prioritization, multitasking, and deadline management.
• Experience in the design of electrical control panels.
• Minimum of two years of experience supervising 20 or more team members.

Job Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to work in a team-based environment.
• Ability to use engineering analysis and problem-solving methods.
• Computer skills with MS Office Suite, SAP, drawing software

Accountability / Impact of Errors

• Failure to complete task efficiently could slow the productivity of others, which affects customer deliveries. Work in cooperation with others to ensure a safe atmosphere to prevent any workplace injuries.
• Improper repair or diagnosis of problems could result in extended machine downtime, causing production delays and jeopardizing customer relations.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to stand and walk for a minimum of 10 hours.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.