Project Engineer

Project Engineer

Our client is a leading aerospace company and are seeking a Project Engineer to join their team in Bedford Park, IL.

The Project Engineer will demonstrate leadership in communicating business goals, programs, and processes for an area or business segment. This individual will utilize experience or expertise to solve problems, develop and execute objectives for self and others, and have the ability to affect short-term and some long-term business goals.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing mechanical engineering leadership to product design, manufacturing process and capital equipment development
• Assisting the NPI technical lead on new product introductions
• Working with engineering & manufacturing teams to improve processes
• Taking ownership of production, assembly, tooling, test & calibration where required
• Developing Work Instructions and/or Setup Instructions to aid in the manufacturing of parts
• Ensuring design and process meets the needs of the overall business strategy and production needs
• Supporting equipment upgrades from purchase through installation
• Preparing and maintaining project plans to ensure that all action item lists are completed, and project quality expectations are met
• Estimating costs, resources, and time required to complete projects to ensure business targets are met
• Gathering and analyzing data to monitor projects' progress in terms of cost, schedule and technical specifications to facilitate operations and ensure that established objectives and budgets are achieved
• Preparing and presenting plans and progress reports relating to business aspects of the project(s) to ensure that established targets are met
• Identifying and escalating project problems and supporting resolutions to ensure the successful completion of projects
• Managing project assignments with the various functional organizations to ensure alignment with overall project objectives
• Directing all phases of programs from inception through completion
• Overseeing and coordinating the administrative and operational aspects of ongoing projects within program guidelines
• Liaises between project management and planning, project teams, and cell/line management
• Reviewing project and budget status, managing schedules and preparing reports
• Monitoring and assessing project issues and developing resolutions to meet productivity, quality, goals and objectives
• Directing the work of employees assigned on projects in technical manufacturing and administrative areas
• Establishing design concepts, criteria and engineering efforts for product research, development, integration and test
• Meeting program schedules and budgets and maintaining the integrated master schedules for project(s)
• Effectively driving cross-functional teams (technology, sourcing, manufacturing, vendors, etc.) to solve product / process issues impacting product or delivery performance
• Ensuring processes contribute to a safe work environment
• Leading high impact process and quality improvement projects yielding significant reduction in defects and increased productivity
• Utilizing lean-manufacturing principles and participating in action workouts to improve process capability, reduce overall costs and increase capacity
• Process Design
• Following LEAN principles to define critical requirements, design processes and/or lead design team to define manufacturing specs, completing process qualification and demonstrate required capability

Qualifications and skills required and/or preferred include:

• Education Required: BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering discipline
• Experience Required: Minimum of 3 years of industry experience, preferable in aerospace
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong computer skills are required. Microsoft Office products used on a daily basis
• Ability to work as part of a team with little or no supervision
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing techniques, Quality System, and SPC tools
• Ability to read engineering drawings and specifications
• Working knowledge of GD&T
• Ability to use CAD to design fixtures and in process drawings, Unigraphics preferred
• Strong project management skills
• Strong manufacturing process knowledge in machining is preferred
• Experience in two or more of the following areas is desired: turning, milling, grinding, assembly, paint, heat treat and plating processes
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

Compensation is based on experience