Senior Process Improvement Engineer

Company Overview

At Performance Drone Works (PDW), we're at the forefront of creating custom small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for the modern warfighter. PDW is proudly American owned, with all design, engineering, and manufacturing of our products taking place domestically.

Role

PDW is seeking a Senior Process Improvement Engineer to join our team, contributing to the next wave of process, system, and tool development for its production operations team. A successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless execution of production disciplines across assembly, quality, production control, inventory, and supply chain execution. This individual will play a pivotal role in creation and sustainment of manufacturing engineering systems and robust protocols for multiple best-in-class sUAS products

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement process improvements with a built-in quality approach to achieve repeatable and consistent processes including fixtures, tooling, robust processes with focus on Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Collaborate with design engineering and production operations to implement improvements, engineering changes, new products, and robust solutions through close partnership with technical team, production control, supply chain, systems, and manufacturing engineering.
• Evaluate and implement robust solutions to scale volume for assembly of drone electro-mechanical sub-systems and final assemblies. Define and drive improvements around line balancing, material flow, manufacturing routing, and overall takt time optimization
• Partner with PDW Quality Team in development of inventory handling, manufacturing routing, and overall QMS (Quality Management System) processes and solutions
• Coordination with production management, material handling, quality, design engineering, and test flight operations to ensure product quality, line continuity, and efficiency
• Supporting training of PDW assemblers on process changes while utilizing work instructions, critical to quality product characteristics, and adherence to established quality and work standards
• Deliver systems for production management across multiple disciplines and functional teams. Maintain and refine core processes in production operations as it relates to procuring and producing multiple PDW product lines
• Deliver systems for production management across multiple disciplines and functional teams with leading the delivery of training, enablement, and enforcement for use of production tools, processes, and rituals across multiple functions
• Drive delivery of production operations workflows including cross-functional process reviews, tasking and status updates, and documentation generation
• Lead the codification and organization of production technical data and knowledge management systems
• Enable and enforce processes, protocols, and initiatives to support technology development, implementation, and of PDW's production operations department through coordination with corporate compliance and regulatory functions to deliver production systems and products in alignment with PDW policy and regulatory requirements

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing environment
• Direct experience in scaling production and processes to high-rate production with demonstrated ability for bottleneck resolution, problem solving, quality, and capacity analysis
• Successful scaling of production while balancing material flow requirements including evaluating efficiency, layouts, and material storage with familiarity on receiving, kitting, work orders, and inventory movement
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of lean principles and methodologies such as 5S, line balancing, cycle time/takt time analysis, built in quality, spaghetti diagrams, performance metric management, Kanban, waste reduction, etc.
• Implementation of emplacing and maintaining production systems for high mix, low volume
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze data and make informed decisions
• Organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Conscientious, responsible, with interpersonal skills to work with technical and non-technical team members
• Experience in an electro-mechanical manufacturing environment highly preferred
• Experience developing process ground-up in a fast paced, dynamic work environment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. regularly, with occasional heavier lifting
• Employee must be able to stand, walk, and bend for long periods, as well as push and pull
• Manual dexterity is necessary for performing assembly operations

Work Environment

• Operates primarily in a professional, climate-controlled office, warehouse, manufacturing and shipping environment. At times, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety gloves, goggles, and hearing protection may be required.
• Employee will also work outdoors as applicable, where they may be exposed to the elements, including heat, rain, and cold.
• Standard hours are Monday through Friday 7:00AM to 3:30PM, with occasional overtime as operational needs may require.
• Fast paced environment with moving, packing, and staging shipments

ITAR Requirement

In compliance with International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) or individuals granted asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Compensation and Benefits

PDW values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.

Safe Harbor 401(K) with company match.

A work environment that encourages teamwork and innovation.

Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement

PDW is an equal opportunity employer that upholds all federal and state non-discrimination laws. We ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation for employment for all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.