Manufacturing Project Engineer

Company Overview:

Schafer Industries is a premier supplier of off-highway axles and differentiated precision gearing solutions. Established in 1934, Schafer Industries has locations in South Bend, IN, Roscoe, IL, Fredericktown, OH and Blacklick, OH. Schafer Industries is one of the few manufacturers of integrated axle solutions in the off-highway electric vehicle market. Schafer serves customers in a variety of end markets including off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, aerospace, defense, oil & gas, material handling, powertrain, electric mobility, heavy duty trucking, agriculture, and construction. Our mission is to leverage world class capabilities to deliver superior products and services to maximize the value for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities.

Why Work at Schafer Industries?

• We are a growth-oriented company with a diversified customer base.
• We are committed to a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• You will enjoy a collaborative work environment where your talents and opinions matter.
• We provide training as well as opportunities to work on projects in support of your career development.
• You will quickly see your impact when working with the team.
• We live our values of Safety, Integrity, Responsibility to Others, Customer Focus, Continuous Improvement and Accountability in all that we do.
• We have competitive pay and benefits to include 401(k) match and tuition reimbursement.

Job Summary:

The Project Engineer will support the engineering department by aiding estimating engineering, process engineering, and manufacturing engineering as needed. Duties will include but not limited to contacting suppliers for quotes and process related questions, developing inspection documentation and methods, developing operation drawings for internal processes, cycle time and throughput studies, as well as oversight of engineering projects. This position will also be expected to coordinate with other departments as needed or as otherwise directed by the supervisor.


Essential Functions:

1. Estimating Engineering
   • Work with supply base to develop outside process costs and tool costs.
   • Work through process engineering and manufacturing engineering for process development and cycle time estimates.
2. Process Engineering
   • Development and maintenance of quality inspection documents.
   • Development and maintenance of inspection programs for various gauges
   • Generate operation drawings to support process routing.
   • Develop and maintain work instructions.
   • Implement and track engineering change notices.
3. Manufacturing Engineering
   • Perform measurements and calculations related to process capabilities.
   • Development of process cycle time estimates
4. Project management
   • Track new projects for maintaining timing and capability as needed.
   • Manage installation of capital equipment for timing and capability as needed.
5. Communication and work-related interaction
   • Work with customers to understand customer specific requirements and interpretation of customer specifications.
   • Assist with APQP by working closely with process engineering to develop a launch plan for newly acquired business that meets the customers' expectations.
   • Develop a relationship with outside process suppliers for quick and accurate reactions to quote requests.
6. Continuous Improvement

• Ability to review scrap and rework data to identify areas of improvement.
• Work through engineering department to identify process improvement opportunities that can improve throughput in production and planning.
• Develop cost studies for process improvements with estimating engineering.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• BS in a manufacturing related field of technical study or equivalent.
• Experience in metal cutting/machining operations, gear manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of many machining and metal cutting processes such as milling, turning, grinding, with emphasis on gear cutting and finishing.
• Knowledge of various materials, cutting tools, work holding, cutting parameters, and heat treatments and coatings.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Well-developed skills in multi-tasking and prioritizing
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Word, Outlook
• Experience with an ERP software such as Visual, Epicor, or SAP
• Experience with solid modelling CAD software such as SolidWorks
• Familiarity with CAM software such as Esprit or Mastercam

Working Conditions:

Air conditioned/heated manufacturing facility with possible exposure to noise; dust; fumes; physical, chemical, and biohazards; solvents, oils, and detergents.