Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Method Development Specialist

This role will support manufacturing by providing focused projects that will improve throughput, reduce inventory, and reduce operating expense. This position will drive reduction of labor costs through cellular manufacturing and new/improved methods and equipment. Must be able to apply standard practices and techniques, adjust and correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and take corrective action. Will document work, prepare technical notes/reports/documents, and establish customer contacts (internal and external) as required. Must have the ability to travel to other Howmet locations in the Airfoils Segment and is based out of Whitehall, MI.

Responsibilities:

• Developing manufacturing methods to produce parts that consistently meet or exceed our customers' requirements.
• Continuous improvement of processes by improving methods and developing new methods of manufacturing, leading to increased yields and reduced labor content.
• Conceives, evaluates, and implements problem solving activities, cost reduction initiatives, and part/process improvement activities.
• External customer escapes - Investigates and analyzes root cause. Develops and implements correction action plans.
• General Technical Support - Collects data and answers customer requests.
• Quotation Prep - Develops material, scrap, and labor costs for cost modeling.
• Tooling Development and Build - Attends NPI meeting and provides input based on customer specifications for BOM, routings, and milestone plans. Provides manufacturing support fixtures and dies.
• Process Development - Provides manufacturing support for prototypes, instructions, and data analysis.
• Equipment Design, Build, and Procure - Troubleshoots, validates, and qualifies equipment.
• Cell and Standard Work Development - Conducts time studies. Develops cell layout.
• Part Number Scrap Reduction and Yield Improvement - Collects data and analysis. Attends QSI meeting.
• Floor Coverage and Support - Completes general daily process walk through. Collects data and analysis.
• Standard Labor and Process Time Reduction - Analyzes shift labor efficiencies and affectivities. Conducts cost modeling. Implements tooling change.
• Deviant Part Review and Disposition - Reviews scrap in all areas.

Job Roles:

• Systems thinker--sees the business and its operation holistically; understands actions and reactions; considers multiple pathways of potential effect before decisions; thinks strategically about interventions with an eye toward scale.
• Optimizer--constantly challenging the organization to work smarter; supports others to ensure they have what they need to do their work successfully.
• Anticipation--looks ahead to minimize potential issues and maximize advantages; prepares others for what comes next.
• Operational accelerator--drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics, and scalable solutions.
• Organization and structure--works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize them; provides accurate information; galvanizes others toward common goals.
• Influence--leverages knowledge, relationship, data, and perspective to persuade, educate, and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders.
• Data informed--focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; evaluates based on quantitative feedback; knows and explains the "why" behind actions.
• Prioritized reaction--handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives; reacts where greatest leverage points exist.
• Relationship--connects individually and with teams across shifts and practices; builds rapport and commonality; creates a "win together" ethic; serves as liaison between shop floor and engineering; keeps the pulse of the floor; helps people feel heard.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Must be able to travel to other plants within Airfoils as needed.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous internship, co-op experience, or previous work experience in a manufacturing environment or lab environment.
• BS degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Technology.
• Experience in Kaizen, continuous improvement, and formal problem solving.
• Excellent analytical skills, verbal and written communication skills (such as Standard Operating Procedure development).
• Ability to perform and analyze time studies to develop standardized work and set labor standards.
• Ability to create capacity analysis tools that capture machine cycle times, workloads, and OEE.
• Experience in the implementation of improved manufacturing processes, such as new and better equipment (including defining scope of work, technology research, quote procurement from vendors, budget setting, equipment installation and start-up, project management of improvement projects).
• Experience in defining and implementing cell layout, plant layout, and ergonomically designed workstations.
• Experience in export control regulations (commercial and/or military shipments across international borders).
• Utilization of observation skills to drive NVA (Non-Value Add) waste elimination, reduced operation cycle times, and product flow analysis.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and guidance to the manufacturing areas through the use of cross-functional teams.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints.
• Experience with CAD (2D and/or 3D).

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts, and forged wheels. With $7.4 Billion in revenue in 2024, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers' success and making a positive impact on the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.