Senior Design Engineer

Position Overview:

Provides visual representations by conceptualizing, designing, and developing prototypes for new and existing products.  Utilizes design and development software, tools and equipment.  Participates in design reviews, DFMEA, and project activities to ensure that products move through developmental phases smoothly.  Reviews the tolerance stack up analysis done by fellow designers.  Leads and coordinates activities related to establishment of Design Engineering guidelines, procedures, and related processes.  Researches, recommends and maintains CAD hardware/software tools, standards and equipment.  Ensures that systems are current and adequate to perform design work.  Participates in continuous improvement processes, implementing procedures and processes to improve efficiency of department.  Participates in cross-functional teams related to product development.  Serves as a liaison between individuals and units, internally and externally as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

-Physics/Basic Engineering Analysis

• At this stage, performing mathematical modeling for any phase of a program is second nature.
• The senior design engineer is highly proficient in framing design objectives in the language of physics.
• Will be able to evaluate the appropriate level of analysis (BEA, FEA, proto. test) as well as apply practical wisdom to determine the effort required to produce meaningful results.  
• Viewed by the engineering community as analyst, problem solver and teammate.   
• Is recognized as an expert in product area.   
• Is competent enough in peripheral disciplines to take on assignments at an intermediate level or above. 
• Has played a key role in developing or supporting the creation of templates and check sheets.

-CAD / Drawing Creation

• Constructs sophisticated solid models and surfaces that are correct for all downstream activities. 
• Works as fast and efficiently as the tool allows. 
• Can create kinematic models and performs all necessary studies available in CAD tools.  
• Able to create all required drawings.  
• Able to mentor Novice and Intermediate Engineers.  
• Manufacturing processes and datum schemes should be considered in the construction of the data. 
• Can use PDM Works to add/remove parts, build assemblies, promote data through the life cycle process, conduct extended queries, understand BOM structures including parent/child relationships, version data and manage design alternatives.  
• The user is also able to exchange data with suppliers and remote sites. 
• Knowledgeable on the proper use of design guides and helps maintain the guides.

-Product Cost Estimation and Optimization:

• Uses Indented Bill of Material with cost to evaluate every design decision. 
• Understands product costs to the level of being able to propose changes for improvement. 
• Has a deep understanding of the manufacturing footprint and incorporates this understanding in making design and cost decisions. 
• Drives VA/VE to lower product cost.

-Manufacturing Processes:

• This knowledge base refers to a thorough understanding of the specific manufacturing processes and assembly methods that will be used to make the final product, including process capability and control. 
• It includes manufacturing knowledge of all components and subsystems, from raw material conversion to final system level assembly, and the associated Best Business Practice (BBP) processes.

-Tooling:

• Thorough understanding of tooling considerations in the design of their particular product. 
• Very familiar with tool design, development, and fabrication processes, and how these interact with product design and development. 
• Thorough understanding of dimensional control considerations in the tooling. 
• Ability to leverage this knowledge in optimized product and tool designs. 
• Easily able to adapt the design to address tooling concerns.

-Gauging:

• Understands production application of gauges for multiple product types and gauge configurations. 
• Can establish gauge datum and clamp strategy and identify data acquisition method for each attribute. 
• Demonstrates understanding of how gauges are used to improve design integrity and influence product development.   

-Innovation/Creativity:

• This criterion involves the belief that anything is possible and that customers want something different from what we've always done. 
• The approach addresses product opportunities and challenges by drawing from diverse experience and knowledge to propose new