What you’ll do:

The VA/VE Engineer’s primary responsibility is to drive projects that result in product cost, feature or function improvements by utilizing VA/VE (Value Analysis / Value Engineering) methodologies. The focus would be on existing product portfolios to maintain product cost position as a control for escalating material and labor costs, or improving product margins, while maintaining product integrity. This role requires strong ideation skills and the ability to simultaneously program manage multiple projects across multinational sites. The position will require facilitation of Value Analysis events to generate a pipeline of ideas and subsequent execution. The person in this role should be a strong communicator who is able to work effectively with peers and management alike in a high paced environment.

• Provide Engineering design support for productivity improvement projects through effective participation on cross-functional VAVE teams
• Lead Engineering efforts on critical direct material cost-out projects, including idea development, prototype, project execution, and plant/business system implementation
• Ownership of overall project management for VA/VE projects
• Utilize phase gate methodology to lead VE projects with cross functional teams at multiple sites with overall project timeline execution responsibilities
• Coordinate with operations group at manufacturing facilities to implement VA/VE projects
• Develop DFMEA and test plan documentation required for thorough product improvements/development
• Conduct Engineering analysis, including material specifications, effect of changes on meeting UL Standards, and testing of functional models
• Coordinate and implement changes in product Bill of Materials within SAP based on ECN’s, new product notices, and factory floor updates
• Hands on approach to testing, including proof of concept, design validation and agency approval
• Effectively communicate programs to peers and leadership – both written and verbal

Qualifications:

(Required) Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 3 years of product design experience with competency in injection molding and metal stamping, or equivalent manufacturing process for electromechanical products

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree from an accredited institution
• 3D modeling and 2D detailing (CAD) experience (Pro/Engineer (Creo) preferred)
• Project management experience; Planning and risk management
• Prior successful experience with the implementation of large-scale mechanical product development programs and experience with a phase-gate process for new product development initiatives
• Use of DFMEA, tolerance analysis, engineered material selection and product costing
• Experience working with international suppliers and/or customers
• Experience working with remote engineering resources
  

Skills:

• 10-20% International travel to support VA/VE initiatives
• Develop and track effective engineering metrics to drive projects to successful completion.
• Works closely with manufacturing locations to coordinate successful product launches while meeting project schedules.
• Partner with remote engineering teams to accelerate engineering development.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of plastic part design, sheet metal part design and working process knowledge of thermal/stress analysis, and innovative use of alternative materials
• Strong business acumen and financial analysis experience as required for cost out project prioritization
• Ability to document, plan, execute, manage and control programs and technical resources
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to think strategically and also to participate in all levels of project details and technical engineering concepts, solid problem-solving skills Strong knowledge of tooling, production, and quality systems.