Manufacturing Engineer (Supply Chain) - Electromechanical

JOB SUMMARY

Apptronik requires suppliers who provide cost efficient, on-time, and premium quality parts with rapidly evolving designs at increasingly ambitious volumes. We are actively looking for a Supply Chain Engineering candidate who possesses comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing, supply chain and quality tools and has an unrelenting motivation to enable suppliers and internal cross functional peers for success. This position will support our humanoid robotic programs and requires a combination of proven leadership and technical capabilities.

This is a technical position that requires practical experience in supply chain, manufacturing engineering and new product development through rate production for an array of parts and processes in the electrical, electronic, and electromechanical space used in robotic systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Improve quality, cost, delivery, and capacity metrics for wire harness assemblies, PCBAs, and other electromechanical hardware used in humanoid robotic systems. 
• Collaborate with design, materials, and manufacturing engineers to gain an in-depth knowledge of piece part, assembly, metrology, and/or sub-system design intent
• Support the procurement team to strategically source parts matched with supplier competencies by reviewing and assessing supplier manufacturing processes and quality systems
• Create and define supplier technical and quality requirements based on customer and program requirements and expectations for NPI and production phases
• Own the new product introduction of new parts, including determining the ideal manufacturing method, identifying and qualifying suppliers, and developing a reliable process for ramping to rate. This individual is expected to be the extreme owner for the process at suppliers for new parts, drawing changes, or when re-sourcing existing parts to a new supplier
• Lead resolution of supplier quality issues through root cause analysis, while functioning as liaison between purchasing, engineering, production, and suppliers
• Analyze supplier quality and delivery metrics to identify trends and pinpoint systemic performance gaps and root causes to drive supplier improvement plans
• Conduct independent research to identify potential new suppliers and capabilities in manufacturing and metrology
• Identify and drive product & process improvements to lower part cost, reduce supply risk, eliminate potential defects, and improve cycle time
• Define product technical and quality requirements, and ensure supplier compliance with these requirements
• Effectively manage the supply chain by establishing excellent working relationships and regular lines of communication with suppliers
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, proactivity, technical excellence, creativity, self-direction, and courage
• Create and disposition non-conformance and deviations where needed, working with engineering counterparts to implement, but not limited to, required re-work, repair or use as-is dispositions
• Lead containment activities on assigned parts, working with cross-functional counterparts to agree on scope, path forward and ultimate resolution

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience conducting supplier manufacturing process audits and capability assessments on-site at supplier facilities
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and how geometric tolerances translate to fixturing, machining strategy, and inspection methods
• Working knowledge of PPAP, APQP, FMEA (process), control plans, MSA, and SPC — not just awareness, but direct application in a manufacturing or supplier quality context
• Experience leading root cause and corrective action investigations (8D methodology) with suppliers
• Familiarity with quality management system standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or NADCAP) and how they translate to shop-floor controls
• Proficiency with metrology tools and techniques relevant to mechanical hardware — CMM programming/interpretation, surface profilometry, optical measurement, and manual inspection tools
• Practical knowledge of mechanical material properties, heat treatment processes, and surface finish specifications and how they affect part performance and manufacturability
• Ability to travel up to 30% (domestic and international supplier visits)
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in robotics, aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-reliability mechanical product environments
  • Hands-on experience with CAM software or CNC programming (understanding of toolpath strategy, feeds/speeds, and fixturing approaches)
  • Familiarity with additive manufacturing design rules and post-processing requirements (support removal, stress relief, HIP, machining of AM parts)
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
  • Experience with MRP/ERP systems and BOM management
  • Background in should-costing and manufacturing cost modeling for machined, cast, and fabricated parts
  • Experience scaling production from prototype or low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production
  • Familiarity with ASTM or AMS material and process specifications

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline (a degree is required — related STEM degrees will be considered only with directly applicable manufacturing engineering experience)
• 3+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in at least two of the following: CNC machining (3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis milling and/or turning), metal or polymer additive manufacturing, investment casting, die casting, forging, sheet metal fabrication, or precision mechanical assembly

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen
• Hearing and speech to communicate