R&D Engineer

Company

Advanced Ceramic Coatings, LLC. (ACC) is a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Lincotek Surface Solutions. ACC is a leader in the ready-to-engine airfoil applications market, namely thermal coatings for aviation components.


Position Summary

Develop and optimize end to end processes for fluid-based coatings in the aerospace market using innovative solutions based on data driven analyses. This will include development of formulation, size reduction, mixing, dispersion, suspension, and filtration of various slurries. Utilize performance testing including viscosity, rheology, particle size, flowability, settling, shelf-life stability, and so forth. Liquid coating application processes may include spray, dip, spin and corresponding delivery systems therefore application experience with the operation, modification, maintenance, and calibration of coating equipment is required. Investigate the effects of process variables on slurry properties, application process, coating performance, and final product quality. This role is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing professional with strong analytical and problem-solving skills who enjoys R&D activities on the shop floor and collaborating with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues, run experiments, and scale optimized coating processes into production. The successful candidate will possess experience in a manufacturing industry with increasing responsibilities in Engineering, Operations, and/or Research & Development. He/she will be responsible for bringing new product and processes to market on time and within budget. Strong focus on process improvement and waste elimination in their responsible areas working closely with Production, Engineering, Facilities, and Quality. He/she will apply techniques and processes, teach and mentor best practices (Lean, Six Sigma, DFM, DFA, DOE, FMEA, VA/VE, etc.).


He/she must be available for one month training in Italy at the headquarters of the Unitedcoatings Group if required. Occasional overseas and domestic travel will be required to support the rapid growth of ACC.

Essential Functions

1. Act as lead technical reference for customer and internal organization in the case of materials, coatings, and assembly applications.
   1. Maintain alignment with Plant & Production Managers, Director of Engineering, Quality Manager, Facility Manager, CFO, and GM to ensure that customer expectations, validation activities, improvement plans etc. will be completed on time and on budget.
   2. Represent the Company in front of the customers as the Senior Expert on coatings with the goal of increasing the Company's image and reputation by obtaining the customer's respect and trust.

1. Provide training and mentoring to other ACC staff in technical areas to support daily production, continuous improvement, and New Product and/or Process Introduction.

1. Develop and continually improve a documented process for Product Realization. Includes the development of machine design standard & documentation, IQ/OQ/PQ process, and link to TPM
2. Review, analyze, and offer Value Analysis/Value Engineering options to customer specifications and requirements. Manage qualification kick-off and ongoing stage gate meetings. Constant follow up and put decisions into actions.
3. In close collaboration with Plant & Production Managers, Director of Engineering, and Quality Manager to determine and approve the production flow of a new component, fulfillment of its qualification steps and providing the customer products responding to the required quality specifications within the due date and within budget.

1. Instrumental in continuous improvement efforts to improve quality, cycle time reduction, and cost improvement. Lead the technical needs for the company e.g. analyze new processes, cost analysis, customer meetings, RFQ analysis, new technologies, etc. that bring added value to the company.

1. Ensure that departmental work methods are compatible with company standards and customer requirements
2. Create a culture for deep understanding of process failure mode and reduction of variation. Lead Root Cause Corrective Action activities to permanently eliminate defects.
3. Adhere to the Company's Quality and Safety Management System and in accordance with its procedures and requirements.
4. Applied knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma methods to improve Key Performance Indicators for Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
5. Active member of the JV Engineering Committee.
6. Routine communication with Turbocoating Corp., Turbocoating Spa, and GE in order to deeply understand and share company best practices.
7. Close communication with Turbocoating Corp., Turbocoating Spa, and GE and share technical potential improvements on processes, equipment, tooling, control systems etc. by defining the design of the improvement, the validation test, the industrialization road map, and the training for employees.
8. Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibility

No

Work Environment

This job operates in both an office environment and a manufacturing environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computes, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The individual will be required to adhere to safety policies and procedures on the manufacturing floor.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 lbs and occasionally lift and or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.


Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm, with additional hours as business needs necessitate.

Travel

Occasional overseas and domestic travel may be required to support the rapid growth of the company. Availability of 2-3 trips to Italy (annually) of 1-2 weeks each, to line up with HQ about projects, activities, etc.

Education

1. Bachelor's degree in Materials, Mechanical or Robotic Engineering required. Master's level in these degrees is preferred.

Competencies

1. Personal accountability
2. Leadership
3. Independent thinking
4. Strong organization and planning abilities
5. Analytical
6. Problem solving
7. Communication
8. Attention to detail

Skills

1. Minimum ten (10) years of proven knowledge and experience in the Engineering and Manufacturing field. Industrial gas turbine, aerospace, automotive industry experience strongly preferred.
2. Lean, TPS, and/or Six Sigma knowledge and application is required.

1. New Product / Process Introduction experience required.
2. Strong experience with creation of machine Statement of Work, Build/Buy Standards, IQ/OQ/PQ, and TPM strongly preferred.
3. Applied knowledge of problem solving tools.

1. New company startup and/or Joint Venture experience preferred.
2. Strong knowledge of Solid Works, AutoCAD, and Minitab. Knowledge of CAD/CAM strongly preferred.
3. Must have excellent communication skills and experience interacting with all levels of customers, including technical managers.
4. Experience with ERP systems preferably SAP.
5. Must be able to read, analyze and interpret blueprints and specifications. Able to interpret drawings and schematics to accurately assemble tooling and shielding.
6. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Project.
7. Strong knowledge of both metric and US measurement systems.
8. Attention to detail with the ability to recognize discrepancies.
9. Able to work in a fast-paced and self directed environment.

1. Must be able to plan, prioritize and perform work in an efficient manner to meet schedules.

Advanced Ceramic Coatings, LLC provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.