Development Process Engineer

Role Overview

The Development Process Engineer leads a specialized team to support product development processes, ensuring robust and manufacturable designs for both low and high volume production. This position collaborates closely with product engineers, system integration engineers, tooling project engineers, and manufacturing engineering teams to identify design constraints, recommend improvements, and implement manufacturing strategies that satisfy customer requirements.

Team Context

This role is within the DSS division and reports to the Manager or Supervisor of Development Process Engineering. The global team works cross-functionally alongside product management, marketing, finance, and senior leadership to guide tooling development and ensure successful delivery from initial concept to large-scale manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Possess in-depth knowledge of connector and cable manufacturing techniques such as molding, stamping, plating, and assembly.
• Lead a focused multidisciplinary team comprising product and system integration engineers, tooling PEs, and manufacturing engineers to support product development and guarantee design robustness and manufacturability.
• Detect limitations in product designs and propose enhancements compliant with Design for Manufacturability and inspection protocols; critique process dimensions and feature details.
• Manage proof-of-concept activities during early design phases to validate new technologies or concepts, mitigating risks and enhancing profitability.
• Formulate manufacturing strategies and lead tooling development efforts aimed at meeting customer expectations regarding quality, cost-effectiveness, and lead times, utilizing global cost analyses to determine optimal solutions.
• Oversee implementation of manufacturing strategies throughout all product development stages from prototype to high-volume output, coordinating with tooling PEs and suppliers to ensure project milestones are met.
• Facilitate smooth transfer of tooling processes and equipment to new product introduction and production plants, assisting in debugging and validating new products for performance, quality, and delivery standards.
• Support plant manufacturing engineers in new product ramp-ups and capacity expansions.
• Leverage strong understanding of automation technologies including parts transfer mechanisms, machine controls, and inspection systems to develop specifications and troubleshoot high-speed assembly equipment as well as manual processes.
• Apply problem-solving skills such as root cause analysis and organizational ability to debug and validate equipment and tooling.
• Utilize robust mathematical and mechanical design expertise to support mechanism design and analysis.
• Research and integrate advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques.
• Contribute to plant initiatives aimed at cost reduction and quality improvement by applying Lean Six Sigma principles and manufacturing optimization methods.
• Ensure completion of all required elements of the Product Development Process for assigned projects.
• Adhere to and support quality management systems including Total Quality Management, Six Sigma, ISO standards, and Environmental, Health & Safety management procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by leadership.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in mechanical engineering related to precision electromechanical components.
• Hands-on knowledge of synchronous, asynchronous, flexible robotic, and manual assembly systems.
• 3 to 5 years experience managing projects.
• Proficient understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential product and financial information with trustworthiness.
• Strong organizational skills to manage complex technical data and multiple competing priorities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to convey complex technical concepts clearly across various levels within organization and with external suppliers.
• Basic comprehension of accounting principles relevant to forecasting, estimating, budgeting, and cost analysis for quote preparation.

Preferred Attributes

• Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering degree.
• Minimum five years of experience with connector manufacturing processes.
• Extensive experience (5 years) in designing, building, and debugging assembly equipment.
• Strong familiarity with Global Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) principles.
• Competent using 3D CAD software and Microsoft Office suite including Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and flowcharting tools like Visio.
• Knowledge of accounting and business management concepts.

Company Overview

Molex, a Koch company, is a leading global supplier of connectors and interconnect components, known for innovation in electronics across industries such as automotive, healthcare, consumer, and data communications. Our workforce consists of thousands of innovators contributing to cutting-edge products and technologies that serve diverse markets worldwide.

Philosophy and Work Environment

Koch companies foster an entrepreneurial culture that encourages challenging norms, driving value creation, and rewarding individual achievement. Employee and business needs are harmonized to support both personal and organizational success, emphasizing flexibility and a supportive work environment.

Compensation

Compensation ranges reflect market data estimates and individual factors such as knowledge, skills, and geographic location. There is flexibility in compensation discussed during recruitment.