Global Process Engineer, Weaving

Job Purpose:

This position is responsible for the technical oversight of composites manufacturing process design activities for advanced carbon fiber composite flight-critical aircraft components, from concepts to production-ready maturity.  The Global Process Engineer is responsible for cross-site technical coordination during development, verification, and validation of the processes while ensuring engineering compliance with AEC’s New Product Introduction (NPI) process and configuration management requirements.  The successful candidate is a creative problem solver who is able to effectively guide engineering activities while collaborating with other engineering disciplines and stakeholders (Operations, Program Management, etc.).

Job Responsibilities

In performing their respective tasks and duties, all employees are expected to adhere to Albany’s current values: Albany Wins Together, Count on Each Other, Own Your Actions, Care About Each Other, and Share Your Enthusiasm. Safety must always come first; we never compromise on safety for the sake of achieving another objective. Employees are also responsible for the health and safety of themselves and each other. 

• Lead process/manufacturing engineers in the development of textile manufacturing processes, such as carbon fiber weaving, preform fabrication and forming, and preform winding.
• Take moderately complex, bounded or open ended, problems from the business, develop scope options, and effectively communicate best option for stakeholder review and approval.
• Identify ASC-specific (Albany Safran Composites) Key Process Parameters and manage, control and assure compliance of them throughout the manufacturing process.
• Support program communication, internally and externally.
• Provide engineering/technical analysis, facilitate fact-based decision-making, and recommend continuous improvement processing techniques. 
• Support periodic engineering/technical project management updates.
• Ensure adherence to established practices for ASC-specific change/configuration management, documentation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, manufacturing, operations, and internal and external supply chain personnel to diagnose issues and ensure consistent manufacturing performance across all ASC sites.
• Perform and contribute to feasibility & trade studies, cost analysis and return on investment (ROI) and cost benefit evaluations.
• Support achievement of project schedule and scope.
• Organize, prepare for, and/or conduct technical design reviews to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications. 
• Support necessary engineering, verification/validation tests, and commissioning activities.
• Drive continuous improvements in the areas of safety, quality, delivery and cost.
• Support root cause corrective action activities using structured practices such as DMAIC, 8D, etc.
• Perform failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA, pFMEA, dFMEA) to establish and maintain stable processes.
• Attendance is mandatory to ensure effective team collaboration and productivity
• Ensure adherence to ASC-specific technical and administrative processes
• Collaborate with all ASC sites to ensure consistent global rollout of continuous improvement and NPI projects

Supervisory Responsibility: No

Qualifications/Characteristics:  

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree 
• 5-10 years directly related experience (aerospace, weaving, or composite industry preferred).
• Experience taking designs from concept through production, release and subsequent support.
• Aerospace composite manufacturing experience (i.e. 2D laminates, RTM, VARTM, autoclave processing, fiber, fiber preforms, etc.).
• Knowledge of relevant design and manufacturing standards (CHM-17, ASTM, ISO, SAE, etc.).
• Familiarity with PLM tools (Windchill is a plus) and MRP/planning methodologies (SAP is preferred).
• Background in QFD and/or Design for Six Sigma is a plus.
• Rapid generation of design concepts.
• Strong organizational, communication and time management.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft software (MSWord, PowerPoint, Excel, Project).
• Proficient with Microsoft Visio
• Proficient with creation and application of process capability (Cp, Cpk) and statistical process control (SPC) tools.
• Strong understanding of project management fundamentals and best practices.
• Superior problem solving and troubleshooting skills at the system level.
• Understanding and experience with ISO9100, AS9100 or similar QMS systems preferred.
• Optimizing process designs for manufacturability, reliability, and cost efficiency (DFx) is a plus.
• Ability to create, understand, and interpret engineering drawings.
• Must demonstrate the eagerness and ability to learn and must work well in a cross-functional team environment.
• Work independently or as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Work with minimal supervision, to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgement.
• Provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical individuals.
• Adapt and remain flexible to changing business conditions/needs. Must be able to quickly adjust to shifting priorities.
• Work on multiple projects in parallel without losing focus on key milestones and objectives.
• Solve problems and a willingness to make decisions.
• React to challenges with a can-do attitude.
• Handle highly confidential & proprietary information in an appropriate manner.
• Develop trusting and collaborative relationships and foster involvement at all levels of the working group.
• Ability to lead a technical team through development activities by focusing on fact-based decision making

Working Conditions:

• Duties performed indoors in a production environment with adequate lighting and comfortable temperatures; Occasional exposure to moderate noise and machinery with mechanical fast-moving parts.
• Primarily 1st shift with expected casual over-time.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
• Travel domestically and internationally (predominantly Mexico & France) up to Indoor production environment, up to ~15%.

Physical requirements:

• Must be able to lift objects up to 30 lbs.
• Frequently move about the production floor and office area to attend meetings or trainings or perform Gemba walks.
• May need to travel between different buildings at Rochester, NH campus.
• May require sitting for extended periods of time.
• May require sitting for extended period at desk to evaluate data, write reports and perform engineering tasks.

Nothing in this document restrictions Albany International Corp.’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.