Materials and Chemistry Principal Engineer
Elmdon, Birmingham
Main Purpose of the Job:
- Support the business with deep understanding of Material Constructions and Performance in the Automotive Sector
- Aid the business by developing New Materials as part of the R&D process and future technology development and protect via IP application
- Support Manufacturing Sites with technical support and knowledge to resolve Production and/or Quality Issues
- Lead Material & process benchmark and market analysis
Main objectives and results:
- Select the best combination of materials for automotive applications relevant to Interior Systems
- Test materials (Virtually and Physically to assess how they perform and meet Engineering Specifications and correlate between the two.
- Understand key material constructions and assess how these impact Automotive Applications and Processes (Moulding, Lamination, Adhesion, Odour, Flammability, Chemical and Heat Resistance etc)
- Support the business strategy with Material Developments that meet or exceed corporate Sustainability Targets
- Work with Operational Facilities to ensure New and Existing Materials are processed in line with Operational Performance Requirements (Cycle Time, OEE, Scrap, HSE etc)
- Advise on the adaptability of a plant to new processes and materials
- Work to solve problems arising during the manufacturing process or with the finished product
- Develop and maintain a Material Selection Matrix and ensure that New Business Enquiries follow an approval process prior to quotation
- Ensure that products comply with National and International Legal and Quality Standards and future Legislative Changes are managed through the business
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Candidates will be certified to Degree level in an Engineering discipline.
- Previous experience of working within a mass production, automotive manufacturing environment.
- Experience of automotive interior commodities, typical primary and secondary processes.
- Application of GD&T to BS8888 standard, Measurement and Gauging, Dimensional Management, and the use of statistics in the control of manufacturing.
- Use of Vis VSA or equivalent dimensional software.
- The ability to work as an individual or as part of a team.
- Managerial, technical & administrative skills required - Should be fully conversant with automotive quality tools and systems; these should include TS16949, QS9000, ISO14001, supported by excellent organisational and communicational skills.