Tooling Design Engineer

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Tool Design 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.

This position is in Northstar’s Engineering Department, and reports to the Engineering Manager. The position works with all levels of employees throughout the organization as necessary but does not directly or indirectly supervise any other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position are listed below. This list is not all inclusive and may be amended by Northstar, from time to time.

• Determine tooling/gaging requirements as needed to manufacture parts in the most efficient manner which includes using existing tooling, purchasing new tooling/gages to fabricate, or developing tooling and finishing within budget
• Determine company methods, and internal documentation for the release of tooling/gages to production
• Assist with the quoting process. Develop in-process and tooling sketches
• Utilize Unigraphics (UG / NX) to design tooling and fixturing for multi-axis machining
• Modify and update existing tooling and fixturing in the plating and heat treat departments
• Interface with finance and purchasing writing necessary tooling requisitions
• Interact daily with vendors and suppliers on job quotes and purchase orders
• Monitor various projects and attend weekly meetings on tooling status
• Update work instructions and process routings to meet part requirements
• Created rework processes to bring parts back to specification
• Support entire shop floor, troubleshoot various production challenges as needed
• Be the technical lead for operations group on new product introductions
• Work with engineering & manufacturing teams to improve processes
• Take ownership of production, assembly, tooling, test & calibration where required
• Assure design and process meets the needs of the overall business strategy and production needs
• Support equipment upgrades from purchase through installation
• Conduct cost / benefit analysis for changes to processes and/or equipment

• Drive safety projects where required

• Effectively drive cross-functional teams (technology, sourcing, manufacturing, vendors, etc.) to solve product / process issues impacting product or delivery performance
• Ensure processes contribute to a safe work environment
• Identify and reduce sources of labor efficiency variations
• Direct and/or participate in root cause analysis and team problem solving activities
• Identify and reduce product quality issues caused by process variation
• Lead high impact process and quality improvement projects yielding significant reduction in defects and increased productivity
• Utilize lean-manufacturing principles and participate in action workouts to improve process capability, reduce overall costs and increase capacity
• Process Design
• Ownership of all aspects of designing and implementing capable manufacturing processes, regardless if for Northstar or supplier
• Follow LEAN principles to define critical requirements, design processes and/or lead design team to define manufacturing

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED AND/OR PREFERRED

• Education Required: BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering discipline
• Experience Required: Minimum of 3 years of industry experience, preferable in aerospace

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED AND/OR PREFERRED

The knowledge, skills and abilities required and/or preferred for this position are listed below. This list is not all inclusive and may be amended by Northstar, from time to time.

• Strong problem solving skills
• Strong computer skills are required. Microsoft Office products used on a daily basis
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound independent judgment on matters of importance to Northstar’s operations
• 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 G,D&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
• Strong work ethic

MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

13031. physical requirements of this position are listed below. This list is not all inclusive and may be amended by Northstar, from time to time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, seeing, writing and typing
• Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds
• Occasional reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, twisting, bending and repetitive motion
• The ability to wear proper personal protective equipment, including earplugs, safety glasses, safety shoes, etc.
• Visual acuity to determine the accuracy and thoroughness of product and/or parts

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles

Northstar Aerospace is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

​​​​​​​NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

• EEO: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
• FMLA:  https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf
• EPPA:  https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppac.pdf
• E-Verify:https://e-verify.uscis.gov/esp/media/resourcescontents/e-verify_participation_poster.pdf
• . Frequent exposure to moderate to heavy noise