About the job
Summary:
The role of a Product Development Engineer (PDE) is pivotal in the manufacturing landscape, serving as an expert who meticulously interprets engineering specifications and formulates process flows to guarantee precise product creation while adhering to all established requirements. PDEs are integral to the pre-production Integrated Product Team (IPT), collaborating closely with design engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, production planners, and tool designers. This position reports directly to the assigned manager within the Engineering Department.
During the initial phases of product development, the PDE primarily focuses on generating process flows and CAD models for intermediate fabrication and production stages. After a thorough review, the PDE coordinates with planning teams to create detailed routing. Once hardware is available, the PDE collaborates with manufacturing engineers and operators to prototype and troubleshoot until the process and configuration are production-ready and pass inspection.
The Product:
Senior Aerospace SSP specializes in welded sheet metal parts and assemblies, particularly in complex pneumatic high-pressure aerospace ducting. Our product offerings also include bellows and flexible joint assemblies, machined components, additively manufactured metal and polymer parts, insulation covers, and small composite parts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Examine new product drawings and models for accuracy.
- Develop planning flows for new products, determining manufacturing methods, operation sequences, necessary tools, and inspection requirements.
- Create Manufacturing Control models and drawings (MCDs), reverse engineering product designs to produce regressive manufacturing forms.
- Audit manufacturing routers for accuracy and completeness.
- Initiate tool orders and validate tool designs.
- Draft visual work instructions for new products.
- Conduct manufacturing simulations as necessary (e.g., forming, layup simulations).
- Organize and facilitate Manufacturing Readiness Reviews, ensuring outstanding actions are completed.
- Review rejection reports, identifying root causes and corrective actions.
- Estimate time and resources for spare quotations and new program proposals.
- Advise on inspection plans, tool designs, routing updates, and process enhancements.
- Contribute to the development or revision of standards and documentation based on lessons learned.
- This position does not include supervisory responsibilities, but the PDE may mentor or train less experienced IPT members or junior PDEs as needed.
- Uphold the principles of APQP and AS9100 and adhere to all company policies and procedures.
- Additional duties as assigned.