Product Engineer III

Summary

As a Product Engineer III at AeroVironment, one sustains engineering support for UAV systems for military and commercial applications. Includes design modifications of structural components, electro-mechanical assemblies, payloads, ground equipment, launching systems, flight control actuators, prototype hardware development, performing design verification testing, and configuration management of products. Other duties: developing & maintaining manufacturing drawings and bills of materials for components and assemblies using industry drafting standards, supporting design reviews, assisting project managers with the planning and scheduling of engineering work, and supporting manufacturing & suppliers with the production of mechanical components & assemblies.

Position Responsibilities

• Sustains engineering support related to a product line.

• Manages product line configuration and change orders in Agile PLM system

• Understands product design and features, be familiar with the manufacturing process. Understands customer performance and configuration requirements for product

• Acts as a technical point of contact for ongoing support and change initiation, including managing manufacturing and customer issues escalated to engineering

• Assists in proposal & report writing, review of contracts for production orders

• Helps coordinate the transition for new products and product variants into production

• Coordinates the release and update of engineering design documentation, operator manuals, bill of materials, manufacturing procedures, product acceptance test procedures, and production tooling and test equipment

• Coordinates development, testing and release of product improvements and variants in cooperation with product line manager, design engineers and project managers

• Provides component obsolescence management for the product line

• Provides customer support for failure analysis, field bulletin technical content, general product information

• Works with suppliers, purchasing and planning to ensure resolution of technical issues that impact production

• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field of study is required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

• Lean Six Sigma experience or Green Belt certification

• 5 - 8 years of related experience in a similar role, including experience in an engineering design environment, including support of products in production

• Experience with unmanned air vehicles a plus; RF, digital, and communications electronics design Electronics manufacturing troubleshooting PCB layout, schematics and assembly's Design/drafting/CAD (Altium), including ASME Y14 drawing standards

• Strong understanding of configuration management principles

• Strong understanding of general Engineering fundamentals, mathematics, physics, material properties, electronics, systems, software

• Demonstrated understanding of requirements for building of production assemblies, including documentation for use on production floor

• Demonstrated ability to integrate across technical disciplines and organizations, including program management, manufacturing, quality, purchasing, suppliers and customers

• Experienced and proficient with office software and computer based productivity tools

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Desirable experience or attributes: Agile PLM data management system product configuration management standards (MIL-HDBK-61A, EIA-649-B)

• Demonstrates competency in solving basic structural dynamics problems

• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways

• Selects methods and techniques for obtaining solutions while utilizing good judgment. Contributes to meeting project cost and schedule

• Typically receives little instruction on day-to-day work; Completes tasks within schedule and budget

• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties

• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products

• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

• Demonstrates effective problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal and strong communication skills

• Consistently demonstrates teamwork, collaboration and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

• Requires frequent travel to support working with suppliers, resolving product issues, participating in system tests, and supporting customers