This is hands-on technical work involving the robotic painting and manufacture of injection molded plastic parts for automotive interior trim. Provide technical support and leadership to manufacturing production teams with a focus on operational excellence each and every day.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Under general supervision is responsible for the following major tasks:

1- Responsible for all paint-related activities associated with new product launches including:

• Developing efficient and robust programs using 6 axis paint robots (ABB or Fanuc) to meet customer specs, maximize paint transfer efficiency, and maximize production throughput.
• Developing paint processes for 1K and 2K waterborne and solvent borne paint systems using automatic spray gun applicators.
• Working with external suppliers to develop paint racks that present parts to the robots in a manner that allows for optimum paint coverage while minimizing cycle time and paint waste.
• Evaluating paint rack designs to ensure parts can be loaded and unloaded efficiently while ensuring operators are able to work safely and ergonomically.
• Working with paint suppliers to ensure their products allow us to meet our customer's requirements for dry film thickness, color, and gloss.
• Working with packaging suppliers to develop internal WIP packaging that ensures safe, defect-free transportation to subsequent operations.
• Writing standardized work instructions that are used to ensure that all operators perform tasks utilizing best practices each and every time the task is performed.
• Analyze paint usage and cycle times to ensure that we will be able to meet customer demands while maintaining regulatory emissions compliance.
• Continue to monitor and improve the above tasks throughout the production life of the program.
• Support production teams with the daily operation of paint spray booths, robot programs, and paint processes.
• Troubleshoot process or equipment-related problems and provide solutions in a timely manner.
• Lead cross-functional teams in scrap reduction and continuous improvement activities focused on root-cause problem solving using 5-Why methodology.

2- Document lessons learned and share results of activities with peers company-wide.

3- Conduct daily process audits to ensure standardized work compliance.

4- Work with maintenance personnel to develop appropriate PM schedules for paint spray equipment to improve operational reliability.

5- Put together proposals to procure new equipment for capital investment or cost saving opportunities.

6- Investigate new opportunities to automate existing operations via PLC programming to improve consistency of results while reducing labor burden.

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