Design Engineer - Drivetrain Brake & Friction Engineer

Career Area:

Job Description:

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Job Scope:

This Design Engineer position is required to contribute to regional and global engineering programs related to Brake & Friction Components. Candidate is expected to Design, develop, build, and implement new component designs and/or technologies. Part families in this category include but are not limited to Brake & Friction Components, etc in Transmission and Axles.  Scope of this role includes NPI, NTI, CPI, Design Maintenance and NSI (Support) for these component families. Candidate will be required to support the duties of a Global Design Control Delegate for the above part families

Job Description:

• Obtaining an engineering focused Design Engineer role within Drivetrain India to support components like Plates & friction, Calipers/component localization project(s), Brake Pads, Brake linings and other brake components.
• Some additional skills/background on these skills are needed for drivetrain components such as friction, plates, thrust washers and springs, etc.
• Functional components with application-interaction failure modes require higher skill set than solely focusing on production throughput and process control and an understanding of the failuremodes of components are associated with Friction materials.
• Technical role to support Drivetrain non-metallic functional components including thrust washers and rotating seal rings:
• This role serving components like thrust washers and rotating seal rings (friction / clutch / brake components).
• This posting highlight the technical skills required to support friction material, reaction plates, and brake components
• Skill required for the non-metallics thrust washer and rotating seals:
• Failure Modes: function of operating condition, influenced heavily by application and duty cycle and operating condition interactions, sensitive to interactions in processing/operating conditions/duty cycle
• Processing: similar raw ingredients and processing steps/quality control to friction materials
• Development: highly reliant on physical/functional tests (tribology and operating condition sensitivity)
• Design: highly engineered components, which are very challenging for companies to develop/formulate (even expert companies have challenges trying to reverse engineer their own components due to the high connection between both materials and process/process flow)
• Need rapid technical collaboration to select and develop solid validation plans, develop solid process controls, etc.
• Need to provide leading support for Drivetrain engineers in areas of QCLDM (need to be able to identify gaps, collect proposed next steps, then lead discussions/collaborations between design control engineers and supplier/quality teams)
• Material science background
• Mechanical system understanding and relations between system/components/failure modes
• Technical ability to collaborate across organizational areas (Drivetrain technical teams, PSLD rubber/non-metallic technical teams, and supplier/quality/service engineering teams)
• Technical leadership to enhance utilization of Caterpillar APQP and eTQ tools

Job Duties:

• Participates in process FMEA for suppliers’ manufacturing processes. Audits process control implementation and effectiveness.
• Involve in Testing and Validation process, Test procedure and DVP&R preparation
• Involve in supplier testing & Validation process at supplier site
• Proactively working with supplier to improve their process capability to instil a “Defect free” culture within the supply base
• Must have a thorough working knowledge of quality initiatives to ensure that Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is completed and approved before new parts are delivered. This includes leadership in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activity.
• Reviews APQP documentation (e.g., Process FMEA {failure mode & effects analysis}, Process Control Plans, Gage R&R {repeatability & reproducibility}).
• Supports and participates in 6 Sigma initiatives with facilities, category teams, and suppliers. The incumbent will collaborate with Buyers to improve supplier cost, quality, and throughput.
• Identify and promote new technology opportunities for continuous improvement and cost reductions
• Promote the highest level of professionalism and business ethics

Top Candidates will also have:

• Familiarity with PFMEAs / APQP / PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
• Strong understanding of quality tools, such as 8D, 5 Whys, SPC etc.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings for manufacturing, component data and specifications
• Experience in engineering or manufacturing plus familiarity with manufacturing processes used to produce components and assemblies for drivetrain
• Well-developed interpersonal skills are required in dealing with sensitive issues, developing others, and reaching consensus on specific actions
• Effective communicator, in written and oral form
• Capability to develop networks involving cross functional/cross division groups and to senior management
• Strong analytical skills in gathering, analysing, and improving key quality metrics
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, CAD files, tooling specifications, and electronics specifications

Skill Descriptors

Analytical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tools that promote effective analysis; ability to determine the root cause of organizational problems and create alternative solutions that resolve these problems.

• Seeks discrepancies and inconsistencies in available information; explains variances.
• Organizes and prioritizes the sequence of steps to be taken to remedy the situation.
• Identifies many possible causes for a problem based on prior experience and current research.
• Quantifies the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success before recommending a course of action.
• Approaches a complex problem by breaking it down into its component parts.
• Chooses among a diverse set of analytical tools according to the nature of the situation.

Effective Communications: Understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviours.

• Reviews others' writing or presentations and provides feedback and coaching.
• Adapts documents and presentations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrates both empathy and assertiveness when communicating a need or defending a position.
• Communicates well downward, upward, and outward.
• Employs appropriate methods of persuasion when soliciting agreement.
• Maintains focus on the topic at hand.

Managing Multiple Priorities: Knowledge of effective self-management practices; ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

• Clarifies and handles multiple concurrent and diverse activities.
• Shifts focus among several efforts as required by changing priorities.
• Addresses potential conflicts that impact current delivery commitments.
• Works with or leads others to re-prioritize work and reschedule commitments as necessary.
• Responds to shifting priorities while maintaining progress of regularly scheduled work.
• Demonstrates an expectation that there will be ongoing shifts in demands and priorities.

Technical Excellence: Knowledge of a given technology and various application methods; ability to develop and provide solutions to significant technical challenges.

• Advises others on the assessment and provision of all technical solutions.
• Engages appropriate subject matter resources to effectively resolve technical issues.
• Provides effective solutions to moderate technical challenges through strong technical competence, effectively examining implications of events and issues.
• Assumes accountability for personal technical performance and holds others responsible for theirs.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s /master’s degree from a college or university, preferably in engineering in Mechanical, Metallurgy with 12+ years’ experience in design & development, engineering, quality & manufacturing,

Required Experience/ Skills:  

·FEA Tools like Ansys, Abaqus

·Creo Parametric or equivalent parametric Modelling Software

• Siemens Teamcenter or equivalent PLM Software
• Microsoft Office 365

Desired Experience/ Skills:  

• Six Sigma Green/Black belt with good understanding & experience with DMAIC methodology of problem solving.

Work Location: 

• WTC, Chennai
• Candidate must be flexible to work with Global Process Partners be accommodative of time zone differences

Travel: 

• The position may require up to 20% travel time.

This Job Description is intended as a general guide to the job duties for this position and is intended for the purpose of establishing the specific salary grade.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive summary of all responsibilities, duties and effort required of employees assigned to this job.  At the discretion of management, this description may be changed at any time to address the evolving needs of the organization.  It is expressly not intended to be a comprehensive list of “essential job functions” as that term is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

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