Manufacturing Automation & Controls Engineer

Global Steering Systems, LLC (“GSS”) a subsidiary of Neapco, is a high-volume global manufacturer of automotive components, primarily steering columns. We supply our products to the world’s leading auto manufacturers. We are a global company with international manufacturing facilities located in China, Poland and have over 300 employees working in our 180,000-square foot Watertown location. Our global business is built on a solid foundation of commitment not only to each other and our customers, but also to our core values of safety, performance, sustainability, and responsibility.

This position will provide a combination of manufacturing engineering and electrical controls engineering services for new production equipment and all aspects of manufacturing to ensure that world-class products are available to our customers. This person will work independently with minimal supervision for most of the activities with a strong reliance on experience and good organizational skills. This person will act as a specialist and work with all levels of the organization.

This position exists to improve efficiency, fix programming and mechanical related issues in a timely manner to reduce/ eliminate the equipment downtime. Their work affects equipment, employees, work environment and process standards and specifications.

• Assist new products team with determining requirements and cost estimates for machines that are built in-house and by outside suppliers. Ensure compliance of the GSS, Watertown machine specification for new acquisitions and retrofits.
• Designs, develops, tests, sources, cost justifies, and installs various tools, devices, modifications, fixturing, machinery and equipment for production to increase safety, throughput, quality, capacity, and reliability. Manage the completion of those projects from conception through evaluation, justification, purchase, and implementation.
• Lead projects, create timing plans, design control systems, create schematics, order components, write programs, debug machines and provide support after launch.
• Coordinate with all levels of the organization to meet project timing and budget
• Integrate vision inspection, process monitoring, servo control, mechanical inspections, and other devices or processes into new and existing equipment.
• Champion innovative techniques to improve manufacturing processes.
• Develop, debug, and validate control systems including electrical, PLC, hydraulic, pneumatic, servo, HMI’s, etc.
• Generate and implement standards and best practices – Logic, machine design, process, etc.
• Ensure that logic systems documentation is complete, up to date, stored in file structure, and available at all times.
• Provide general supervision to outside contractors (electrical, mechanical, PLC programming, etc.) to resolve material and/or equipment problems, research and implement upgrades, new tools and operating procedures.
• Work with Operators, Supervisors, Maintenance and QA department to improve processes and troubleshoot equipment repair and maintenance. Support diverse portfolio of processes and controls hardware.
• Ensure proper training and guidance is provided to GSS Production team.
• Apply Lean Mfg. / Toyota production system principles, IATF 16949, FMEA and Control plan concepts in controls engineering initiatives and tasks.
• Review existing logic programs to ensure safety of all associates and the processes are efficient & error proofed.
• Work closely with the Safety Team to ensure electrical controls and processes meet ergonomic and other safety standards.
• Champion continuous improvement projects to enhance safety, productivity, quality, reliability, capacity and processes. Project manage & coordinate implementation of continuous improvement actions.
• Ensures manufacturing practices are current, consistent, and compliant with GSS Policies and Procedures, all external state/federal regulations and customer requirements.
• Demonstrate a leadership mindset holding themselves and their team to high standards to ensure timely and successful project execution. Encourage working cross functionally and collaboratively.

The above are principal responsibilities and do…