Paint Process Development Expert
El Marqués, Querétaro, Mexico
Full Time
Experienced
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 Paint Process Development Engineer at KI Industries Inc., you will lead and comprehensively optimize paint processes for engineering plastics, encompassing everything from defining methodologies and parameters to implementing advanced automation technologies.
Main responsibilities / functions of the position:
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 Paint Process Development Engineer at KI Industries Inc., you will lead and comprehensively optimize paint processes for engineering plastics, encompassing everything from defining methodologies and parameters to implementing advanced automation technologies.
Main responsibilities / functions of the position:
- Manage, control, and promote department KPIs / objectives / goals and promote KI Mexico KPIs, ensuring that the objectives of the Integrated Management System are met, with a focus on processes and customers, as well as risk-based thinking.
- Develop and establish work methodologies, process parameters, and application techniques that ensure maximum efficiency and quality in painting engineering plastics.
- Design and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs for all painting equipment, ensuring optimal functioning and longevity.
- Coordinate with production and quality areas to ensure compliance with production schedules, maintaining the highest standards of quality and cost efficiency.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives, identifying optimization opportunities in painting processes and implementing innovative solutions.
- Develop, coordinate, and monitor robot programs and automated systems at all stages of the painting process, ensuring their effective integration with manual processes.
- Establish and keep updated process parameter sheets and application techniques, incorporating industry best practices in painting engineering plastics.
- Monitor and analyze abnormal process conditions, developing proactive strategies for their prevention and correction.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering and project management areas to lead the implementation of new projects, ensuring a smooth transition from development to production.
- Stay updated on the latest technologies and trends in painting engineering plastics, evaluating their potential application to improve existing processes.
- Foster a culture of innovation and operational excellence within the paint process team, promoting professional development and knowledge transfer.
- Train and technically develop all our plants paint technical people (Technicians and Engineers).
- Support compliance and communication of ISO 14001 and IATF 16949 requirements.
JOB COMPETENCIES:
Education:
Level: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Related Field (ideally with a master's degree or specialization in Paint Processes).
Experience:
5 years in the position or an equivalent role.
Technical Competencies:
Education:
Level: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Related Field (ideally with a master's degree or specialization in Paint Processes).
Experience:
5 years in the position or an equivalent role.
Technical Competencies:
- Paint and Coating Technology:
- In-depth knowledge of water-based and solvent-based paint application.
- Mastery of paint chemical properties and their application behavior.
- Experience in applying to plastic substrates.
- Specialized knowledge in high gloss, UV, and metallic applications.
- Ability to interpret technical data sheets for plastics and paint.
- Basic experience with CAD (solidworks or Creo)
- Industrial Painting Processes:
- Experience in installation, development, and balancing of paint lines.
- Expertise in setting process parameters for paint production lines.
- Experience in handling chemical substances in production environments.
- Quality Control and Continuous Improvement:
- Mastery of Core Tools, including FMEA and SPC.
- Knowledge and application of CQI-12 (desirable).
- Experience in implementing 8D's and 5WH methodologies.
- Ability to apply PDCA in problem-solving and process improvement.
- Project Management and Planning:
- Advanced knowledge of APQP (Project Management certification desirable).
- Ability to manage and comply with Specific Customer Requirements.
- Experience in control and improvement of production processes in the automotive industry.
- Automation and Process Control:
- Knowledge in programming and optimization of Fanuc axial robots and reciprocating paint robots.
- Ability to integrate automated systems into paint production lines.
- Safety and Environmental Management:
- Up-to-date knowledge of safety regulations in handling chemical substances.
- Experience in implementing environmentally friendly and low-impact paint practices.
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