Summary

Hitachi Chemical Company America, Ltd. (HCA), www.hitachi-chemical.com is looking for an experienced Application Engineering Manager to join their engineering team in Wixom, MI as the main contact for all engineering issues and concerns for the automotive brake products for all North America based customers. This will include all R&D and Manufacturing quality control concerns. Communication is very important both internally and externally and the manager will act as the liaison between the customer, Hitachi Chemical Company in Japan (HCC), Japan Brake Industries (JBI) and the manufacturing site in Mexico. He/she will be responsible for understanding the internal direction that HCA wants to pursue, along with assuring that the customer’s demands are understood and being addressed accordingly.

Additional responsibilities will include:

·            Attending sales calls with the Sales team to answer technical questions and to help close new deals.

·            Determining the appropriate contact within HCA/HCC/JBI for all customer requests regarding sales, R&D, QC, production and logistics for all programs.

·            Assisting HCA to develop strategic plans and monitoring the progress including, but not limited to, APQP.

·            Taking on individual program application engineering responsibilities.

·            Managing, coaching and teaching the HCA-Wixom Engineer and two machine operators.

·            Responding to quality issues for manufacturing.

·            Reviewing test reports and presentations in preparation for sales meetings.

Requirements

·            Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience is required. Master’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience is preferred.

·            Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in the brake industry; including specific training in friction material development programs and experience interfacing with the OEM’s.

·            Minimum of 3 years supervisory and/or people management experience is required.

·            General knowledge of passenger car & light truck hydraulic brake systems. 

·            Knowledge of friction material manufacturing methods and validation test requirements.

·            General knowledge of quality control methods and requirements along with industry/customer standard specification targets.

·            Must be familiar with Design Verification Plans for the brake industry and more specifically in the friction industry, along with Production Validation plans. 

·            Strong work ethic and ability to work outside of normal business hours to ensure that communication is maintained globally.

·            Strong verbal and written communication skills with prior experience working with a diverse workforce.

·            Project management skills and experience, as well as strong organizational skills.

·            Ability to travel locally approximately 5 – 10%.

Equal Opportunity Employer

M/F/D/V