Production Engineer

Company Description: Specular Theory is an award-winning immersive content and technology startup based in Venice Beach, CA.  We create a wide variety of VR experiences ranging in entertainment, education, enterprise, and gaming.  Our company creatively drives all productions from beginning to end with a unique company culture of experimenting, breaking new ground, and winning awards.  You will be working with our Aerospace VR training division to develop next-gen software and hardware that adds functionality to custom flight controls.  You will combine state of the art virtual and mixed reality environments with motion control systems to replicate real flight.   Job Description Summary:   Specular Theory has several new products in development, so we are expanding our hardware team that designs, manufactures, and assembles flight simulators.  We are looking for an innovative production engineer to optimize our assembly process.  You will be involved in the entire product development lifecycle from initial concept design through full-rate production.    Roles and Responsibilities   Oversee the assembly area and collaborate with a team of technicians to build flight simulators.  Design, develop, and optimize production processes to hand-build simulators in 5-10 piece lots.  Help develop visual work instructions and train technicians on how to assemble the hardware.  Develop procedures and documentation for completing final assembly and acceptance testing.   Design custom crates and packaging for shipping finished products to the customers.  Optimize the workflow, floorspace, and equipment layout to improve manufacturing efficiency.  Design, purchase, and install equipment, fixtures, and tools to make production more efficient.  Ensure production runs smoothly, efficiently, and safely while building high quality products.  Develop and maintain documentation related to quality control processes and procedures.  Monitor production quality and implement measures to address defects or quality issues.  Perform regular inspections and tests on products to ensure compliance with quality standards.  Identify and resolve any problems or roadblocks that arise during production.  Collect and analyze production data and metrics to track and identify areas for improvement.  Dimensionally and visually inspect fabricated and COTS parts and disposition non-conformances.    Work with the Parts Manager to receive hardware, enter it into inventory, and issue it to jobs.  Create work orders and tracking systems for kitting parts and building sub-assemblies in batches.  Participate in the assembly process and help technicians build sub- and final- assemblies.  After the product is delivered, provide customer support and help with trouble-shooting.    Help disassemble hardware and perform root cause investigations on any customer returns.   Participate in reviews to help engineers design for manufacturability and ease of assembly.  Act as a liaison between the production team, the design team, and the hardware team lead.   Delegate actions to the production team and act as an individual contributor to build hardware.  Required Qualifications   Proficient with production and manufacturing principles, skills, tools, and techniques.  Proficient with production and manufacturing software and manual Excel trackers.  Proficient with production and manufacturing optimization practices.  Proficient with quality engineering policies and procedures.   Proficient with assembling mechanical and electrical components into machinery.  Proficient with making basic mechanical designs and layouts in CAD.   Proficient with interpreting detailed 2D dimensional drawings.  Experience with GD&T is a plus.   Proficient with setting up and running tests and recording and interpreting test data.  Proficient with delegating actions and coordinating daily tasks for a team of production workers.  Being able to work independently and collaborate in cross-functional teams.    Being comfortable in a start-up environment involving multiple projects and shifting priorities.    Being flexible and willing to occasionally work on tasks outside this basic job description.  Being detail-oriented with strong oral and written communication skills.  Preferred Skills    Experience working in a medium-volume production environment.   Experience with lean manufacturing and Six Sigma best-practices.  Proficient with CAD software and 3D modeling.  Experience with AutoDesk Inventor is a plus.  Proficient with CAD configuration management procedures and drawing revision control.   Proficient with designing custom packaging material and shipping crates.    Proficient with basic machining and part fabrication techniques.  Familiar with bent sheet metal parts and assemblies.  Familiar with extruded aluminum assemblies.  Familiar with 3D printed plastic components.  Familiar with PCBs, electronics, soldering, crimping, and cable management.    Familiar working with motion control systems using motors, actuators, and geartrains.   Basic understanding of machine design and how mechanical components interact.  Education and Experience   Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.  Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing and production of mechanical assemblies.    To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a US citizen or a national, US lawful, permanent resident.    Featured Benefits:    Medical, dental, and vision healthcare insurance  401(k) program with a company match  Paid time off and sick days  Paid holidays  Competitive wages  Specular Theory is an equal opportunity employer. The organization considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Created: 2024-11-11