.The primary responsibility of the Prototype Development Engineer will be to lead all trial requests received from sales and advanced engineering team members. The Person will be responsible to coordinate required materials, develop the patterns, product and preliminary processes supply feasibility assessments and establish timing for the delivery of the sample products. This position will work closely with prototype development technician, Adv engineering, sales, HFI tooling and manufacturing teams along with our external customer engineering teams.**MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE**:- Setup new benchmarking area within the Prototype shop area- Be responsible to coordinate the install of capital equipment, layout shop floor and mtrl flow purchase required tools and equipment as required to budget.- Be responsible for complete development and timing of trial /sample interior product part requests. Establish timing, coordinate receipt of materials required, supply technical direction to the prototype technician to allow creation of cut and sew patterns. Setup and established process and equipment, evaluate trials for DFM/DFA, clear communication of any manufacturing concerns for mass production and responsible for quality and delivery of the product.- Oversee the Prototype projects tracking assignments and ensure action items and commitment dates are visible and achieved.- Setup and maintain all shop equipment ( ovens, bladder equipment, adhesive spray booths, knife cutter and other misc. tools) Must be familiar with interior wrapping, materials, adhesives, bonding processes, and equipment.- Engineering support for RFQ's and other sales and adv. Engineering requests- Support Plant-Based Process/Project Engineers for the resolution of highly visible pre/post hand-off product quality issues.- Develop "Best Practices" for the prototypes and/or trial runs developed in your area with your team and HFI tooling and manufacturing teams.- Lead, coordinate and track all trial and prototype builds.- Control and maintain all engineering sample materials (cover stocks, leather, adhesives, substrates packaging etc..).- Works closely with customers to help resolve their product design issues.- Establish IATF processes and procedures for shop activities.- Travel to manufacturing facilities and customer locations as required
