Engineer, Project Design

                                                                                                            Project Design Engineer 

SUMMARY

The Project Design Engineer position utilizes engineering principles to design, develop, and evaluate new or improved safety products and applications. The Project Design Engineer position reports to the Design Engineering Manager/Supervisor and is located in Mesa, Arizona, as a part of the Daicel Technical Center-America (TCA).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Conceiving new or improved designs based on marketing input, customer requirements, cost targets, and manufacturability needs.
• Understanding and/or creating the required design documentation.
• Working closely with external and internal customers, both domestic and overseas, to develop the optimum design.
• Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to determine industry or societal safety needs as well as product specifications
• Designing and managing test programs to evaluate and qualify designs, including the preparation of test reports.
• Focuses on the development of a project, the design, resource management, and allocation to complete a requested or potential product.
• Defines the required resources, how to reduce the redundancy of the project, the timeline (milestones), as well as how and when something is to be completed for the assigned project.
• Design support of the product once it enters production.
• Continuous interaction with engineering, business development, and suppliers is required to design, produce, and validate prototype and production products. 
• This position must effectively communicate with all levels of management to determine the most cost-effective manufacturing designs and methods to meet or exceed the established design criteria.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum educational requirements of a BA/BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline. 
• A minimum of 1-5 years of progressively responsible experience in the design of small mechanisms for a high-volume manufacturing environment. 
• A self-starter with the ability to meet committed schedules.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
•  Familiarity and knowledge of Six Sigma methods, structural analysis, common engineering testing procedures (DOE’s, FMEA’s, etc.), structured problem-solving techniques, statistical analysis, and demonstrated expertise in ballistic analysis would be a plus. 
• Experience working with pyrotechnics and working in the automotive industry is a plus. 
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, and at all levels within the company.

 PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Experience in the automotive industry, and or safety device industry
• Experience in the explosives/pyrotechnics industry
• Design of Experiments techniques (DOE)
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)/Design Review by Failure Mode (DRBFM)
• Structured problem-solving techniques (FTA, 5-Why, etc.)
• Working knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks, or CATIA)
• Familiarity with Six Sigma methods
• Statistical analysis (Minitab) & Structural Analysis
• Demonstrated expertise in ballistic analysis
• Experience in a global business environment, including direct interaction with Japanese subsidiaries, customers, or suppliers.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The individual must be able to work effectively and professionally with all levels of employees and management in a team-oriented environment. Proficiency in SolidWorks, Microsoft Applications (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) as well as excellent communication, motivational, and organizational skills. Project management skills are required. This position requires the ability to read and understand specifications and drawings thoroughly. The individual must be able to understand all policies, procedures, instructions, rules, and regulations associated with this position, which are written in English. In addition, the individual must be able to appropriately respond to these and, where needed, provide reports, presentations, information, and communications in English. Must be available to work days, evenings, or weekends, overtime, and travel domestically and internationally as required.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in written and diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Must possess the ability to read, comprehend, and interpret complex data, drawings, and schematics to design and implement new equipment or plan new experiments. Must be able to generate, adapt, or modify process controls, procedures, and other related documentation. Requires interpretation of complex data for designing new devices or planning new experiments. Must be able to understand and apply DSSA, Inc. documentation, including SOP, MI, PS, PMP, MSP, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to lighting and temperature as required for the office and manufacturing areas. Appropriate safety equipment is required in the area. There is potential exposure to hazardous chemicals. A considerable amount of moving from department to department may occur in unfavorable weather conditions. The employee is exposed to the inherent dangers of the explosive materials used in DSSA Initiator manufacturing processes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move throughout the facility, traverse within production areas, communicate with others, and detect or exchange information or ideas. The employee occasionally is required to perform functions that require the manual operation of both general office productivity and manufacturing equipment, as well as the ability to place, reach, detect, ascend/descend, and position oneself to navigate within confined working spaces. The employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. The employee must occasionally move or transport up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close inspection, identification of objects from a distance, color determination, peripheral detection, depth judgment, and the ability to identify details in varying conditions.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.