Research and Development Engineer I

Research and Development Engineer I    (5.85)

Titan International, Inc., a global leading wheel and tire assembly manufacturer for the agriculture, construction, forestry, and mining markets, is seeking a Research and Development Engineer to join our team in Bryan, OH.
 

REPORTS TO: 

Engineering Manager (R&D) [direct] 

Director of Engineering (R&D) [indirect]

DEPARTMENT: 

Research and Development (R&D)

North American Tire Division

Bryan, OH

QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION / SKILLS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred and/or equivalent technical degree with related experience.
2. New Graduate or up to 5 years of product development / engineering experience
3. Experience with Computer Aided Design/Drafting for both 2-D drawings (AutoCAD) and 3-D modeling (Creo)
4. Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software (Abaqus) preferred.
5. Highly organized individual with attention to detail 
6. Must be able to interface with plant manufacturing, sales, customers, contractors, vendors, suppliers, etc.
7. Good communication skills, both verbal and written.

JOB SUMMARY:

The R&D Engineer position is to design and/or redevelop Off-the-Road (OTR) or Farm (Agriculture) tires as needed to meet customer requirements. Uses independent judgement and exercises discretion in executing their duties. This position requires a high degree of confidentiality.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. MATERIALS / TESTING / PROTOTYPING stem:
   1. Manages reinforcement material procurement projects in conjunction with the corporate purchasing group.
   2. Schedules and evaluates associated lab testing for the qualification of new suppliers and/or new materials.
   3. Collaborates with R&D and Manufacturing Engineering groups across all tire plants to ensure projects are completed in a timely fashion to improve material sourcing options/availability, tire performance, and or product cost.
   4. Coordinates both internal and external field prototype testing  
   5. Researches and facilitates new suppliers and new material ideas for all areas of the tire as related to product warranty, new development, or manufacturability improvements.
   6. Reports/presents all results and findings clearly to suppliers and upper management
   7. Creates/Revises Standard Practices, Work Instructions, and Specifications related to reinforcement material procurement process, testing procedures, and tire selection.
   8. Working knowledge of engineering mechanics to understand how testing requirements are performed.
   9. Issue Test Plans for field test tire builds/evaluation.
   10. Issue Work Orders for internal test tire builds/evaluation.
   11. Assist in developing test methods for bullwheel, durability drums, soil bins (load-deflection), field evaluation, and bench test equipment, including type of testing, equipment required, and staffing.
   12. Must have good understanding of design failure criteria.
   13. Collect test data and make calculations related to measurement needs.
   14. Help prepare final reports of test data for evaluations; take note of product performance, malfunctions, failures, and breakdowns.
   15. Participate in customer contact relating to the testing of the products, servicing, etc.
   16. Provides feedback to the Sales/Engineering group on equipment performance for incorporation into future work orders/test plans. Will advise of delays, problems, or changes.
   17. Help prepare layout drawings and schematics of mechanical and electrical test devices and fixtures.
   18. Monitor the fabrication of fixtures and standard equipment for testing.
   19. Working knowledge of the electronic test instrumentation available.
   20. Assist warranty and sales via field engineering site visits to review product performance and report back accordingly (up to 15% travel)
   21. Help provide written technical support for customers, sales, and end-users as related to testing

OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Work together as a team to accomplish company specific goals and have cross-functional relationship with all technical departments/stems across all plants.
2. Provide and maintain active project list and status.
3. Maintain quality record keeping. 
4. Work with Plant Engineering on developing tire building equipment.
5. Update technical information for publications.
6. Assist in developing new product designs and concepts.
7. Update historical files on all tire specifications, ISO documentation, and related technical documents as related to appropriate stem. 
8. Customer support by providing appropriate specifications/drawings to suppliers, vendors, sales, and production floor as required on time.
9. Establish good relationship with our technical consultants to gain tire experience in all aspects. 
10. Will perform other duties as assigned.