Mechanical Design Engineer, Principal

IPS - Rubbercraft is seeking a highly technical and experienced Principal Engineer in Design Engineering to act as a key contributor in New Product Development & Product Design and is responsible for providing design & material recommendations to customers. This role is pivotal in design engineering that ensures innovative solutions, product manufacturability and quality for rubber molded products, extrusion and composites. This position will also support the day to day operation of Rubbercraft’s design department and other activities such as: Estimating, Contract Review, Project Management, and Product & Process Definition. The Principal Engineer will oversee major Product Design efforts and collaborate with Outside/Inside Sales, Program Management, Molding Tool Vendors & Component Suppliers, NPI, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Configuration Management, and Customer Service to drive initiatives and to improve product performance for our customers. This position ultimately contributes to Sales Growth and improving EBITDA.

About IPS: Integrated Polymer Solutions (IPS) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced materials and engineered components focused exclusively on high-value end markets in aerospace, defense, medical, semiconductors, robotics, energy, and industrial. The group comprises 9 highly respected brands: AkroFire, ABBA Roller, Icon Aerospace Technology, IRP Medical, MAST Technologies, Northern Engineering Sheffield (NES), RMB Products, Rubbercraft, and Swift Textile Metalizing (STM). Our product range includes elastomeric seals, gaskets, tooling, hoses, ablatives, survivability tiles, coatings and tapes, EMI and thermal shielding, electrically conductive metalized fabrics, and encapsulated O-rings.

Our Mission:

Enabling custom engineered solutions through our Polymers Material Science, Technologies and Applications expertise.

Reporting Structure

• Direct Line – Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Integrated Polymer Solutions

Working Conditions

• This is an onsite position at Rubbercraft, Long Beach, California location. Daily presence is required at the location. Travel up to 25% to customer locations or Industry events may be required.
• Standard office environment while supporting elastomer/composites manufacturing environment.
• To support design for manufacturability, use of safety equipment may be required: eye safety glasses, protective gowns, masks, hearing protectors, heel/wrist straps and any other required PPE as required
• May be exposed to unusual environmental conditions such as loud noises, hot/cold temperatures, confined spaces, dust or fumes
• Depending on the task, this position may be expected to be lifting/pushing equipment weighing up to 20 lbs
• Extensive use of computer in office or cubicle setting

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for product development & design
• Lead development projects including material, design & qualification testing recommendations
• Implement technical best practice from design to prototype manufacturing and work closely with the NPI team to transition to production
• Initiate test setup including fixtures needed for testing to be conducted in the materials/test lab
• Provide technical support to and work as a team with cross-functional team which includes, Outside/Inside Sales, Program Management, Estimating/Cost Accounting, Supply Chain & the Operations
• Visit customers with Outside Sales to support new business development and resolve any issues with existing/sustaining business
• Establish manufacturing approach with input from production and manufacturing engineering, as required, that meets quality, cost, and schedule requirements
• Establish and maintain a schedule showing key milestones for the project.
• Work closely with tooling vendors including guidance to minizine rework & scrap
• Work with procurement, as required, to insure additional required materials are ordered to support the project quality, cost, and schedule goals
• Be a mentor for Junior Design Engineers to bring their design for manufacturability knowledge up to instill confidence in their ability and for succession planning
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers, divided into Sustaining Manufacturing Engineering, Continuous Improvement and NPI Engineering
• Participate/lead in Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) including development of compliance matrix on major projects
• Interpret & utilize data from engineering analysis to provide technically sound recommendations & decisions
• Develop and implement policies & procedures for design engineering with continuous improvement in mind
• Develop and implement initiatives to reduce scrap, enhance processes, and improve molding tools
• Collaborate with design and development team to ensure that processes and tools are industrialization-ready for seamless integration into the production floor
• Oversee the transition of new products from development to full-scale production.
• Provide guidance for tool design
• Support technical sales and technical discussions with other departments and customers.
• Participate in bid/no-bid meetings, as needed
• Partner with Program Management & NPI to align engineering activities with project timelines & objectives
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure alignment on project goals and deliverables
• Support cross-functional initiatives to drive overall business success
• Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment
• Provide guidance and support for professional development and performance improvement
• Help develop 5-yr Technology Roadmap for Rubbercraft

Qualifications:

Requirements: Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or a related field; advanced degree a plus
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in aerospace engineering with at least 5 years in design engineering role
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in aerospace rubber molding experience designing molding tools, application related testing and utilization of Design for Manufacturability concepts
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in advance GD&T for molding tools and rubber products
• Minimum of 3 years of experience developing testing and qualification procedures
• Minimum of 3 years of experience performing PDRs & CDRs

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of rubber product design including Aerospace grade materials, fabrics & metals used
• Strong understanding of rubber molding manufacturing processes, cost-saving strategies, VA/VE (Value Analysis and Value Engineering), and best in class process design for new product introduction
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions
• Strong written & oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to utilize CAD applications for product and tool designs
• Strong leadership skills to mentor, provide feedback and assess performance across the team
• Proven ability to make timely and sound decisions; able to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty
• Proven negotiation, facilitation, and consensus building skills
• Proven ability to analyze data in Excel and create PowerPoint presentations for leadership and customers

• Must poses computer skills in MS Office and working knowledge of Solid Works, Catia and PLM system

Other skills:

• Ability to read blueprints, material and process specifications
• Organizational & time management skills
• Thorough follow-through and attention to detail
• Work under deadline oriented environment
• Must demonstrate ability for multi task on a daily basis
• Maintain working knowledge of all departments within the organization
• Must maintain prompt and regular attendance.

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unlimited PTO
• 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds.
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• And more. Apply now and be part of the Rubbercraft and IPS Company

Benefits:

At Integrated Polymer Solutions, we recognize how important your career and benefits are to you and your family. We offer a full suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability coverage, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, basic and supplemental life insurance, employee assistance plan, retirement savings and matching, and other developmental opportunities. We are committed to supporting the way you live and work.

IPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled - Affirmative Action Employer.

This position requires the use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.