Development Engineer 2

Development Engineer 2 at KI Industries Inc.

About KI Industries Inc.

KI Industries, founded in 1964, specializes in the design and manufacture of decorative plastic and die cast components for the automotive and appliance industry. Our attention to aesthetics and technical expertise creates components that our customers know will provide their end consumers with a high-quality interface experience. Those elements, in combination with our outstanding customer service and passion for delivering high quality product, make KI a trusted leader in the decorative parts industry. KI Industries is headquartered in Berkeley, Illinois, USA; we also have a regional office and production facilities in Asia and two manufacturing facilities in Querétaro, Mexico. Our wide global footprint provides extensive opportunity for growth and expansion. Across all our locations KI strives to find talented individuals who are highly motivated to work in a fast paced yet rewarding work environment. We seek creative, hard-working, and innovative personnel who will believe in the KI brand and the service & products we provide. For further information, please visit our website at www.kiindustries.com.

About the Job

As a Development Engineer 2, you'll play a pivotal role in the technical aspects of designing and developing robust systems and product designs in alignment with KI’s Quality Policy. You'll be instrumental in ensuring that product designs exceed customer expectations at our manufacturing facilities in Asia and Mexico while adhering to high design standards. Your expertise will contribute significantly to maintaining ISO standards and driving continuous improvements.

Responsibilities

• Drive the development of innovative and robust systems and product designs within the engineering department.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional DFM teams to brainstorm, conceptualize, and refine new product designs, ensuring feasibility and excellence.
• Provide technical support and guidance to projects within manufacturing operations, ensuring alignment with design specifications.
• Contribute expertise to the company’s R&D initiatives, exploring new processes, finishes, and product innovations.
• Support the maintenance of the company's certifications (ISO 9001, TS16949, ISO 14001) through collaboration with the Quality department.
• Manage KI engineering CAD files, hard copies, specifications, procedures, following established protocol.

Qualifications

• Ten years of experience working with manufacturing companies is required.
• Experience with plastic injection molding and secondary operations such as transfer printing, painting, laser etching, and electroplated plastic products required.
• Understanding of mechanical designs and processes, specifically on tooling, machining, plating, painting, and pad printing. Ability to define part fit and tolerance is required.
• Ability to overcome design challenges and provide solutions around the customer and supplier constraints.
• Good communication skills in both written and verbal, including customer and supplier interface.
• Expert knowledge of design documentation and changes/modifications is required. 
• 7 years’ proven experience using 3D modeling software Creo.
• Working knowledge and leadership of quality management systems: ISO 9001, ISO / TS16949.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Bilingual with English and Spanish is preferred.
• Up to 30% travel is required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field (e.g., Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering).