Plant Manufacturing Engineer and Quality Leader

At Trane Technologies^TM  and through our businesses including Trane^® and Thermo King^®, we create innovative climate solutions for buildings, homes, and transportation that challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world. We're a team that dares to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities. We believe in a better future when we uplift others and enable our people to thrive at work and at home. We boldly go.

What’s in it for you:  

Be a part of our mission!  As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient environments, it’s our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world. 

Thrive at work and at home:  

• Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!  
• Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.  
• 401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.   
• Paid time off, including in support of volunteer and parental leave needs.     
• Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.   
• Learn more about our benefits here!  

Where is the work:

This position has been designated as On-Site. 

Job Summary:

The Plant ME/Quality Leader for Trane Controls will:

• Champion the culture of quality, serve as the customer representative, influence peers and – as a working coach - select, motivate and direct all personnel in planning, implementing, and sustaining related functions from AQP to Customer Satisfaction in line with the Trane Technologies quality management system, policies and processes. The position is the enabler of cross functional lean and continuous improvement through visual management of processes and key leading indicators.
• Manage and lead Manufacturing Engineers and Technician group to ensure that proper manufacturing practices and procedures are established and followed in a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) Operation. The Plant ME/Quality Leader will also provide technical leadership for application of new technology for and improvement and control of PCBA manufacturing processes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

ME Leader

• Responsible for all aspects of production line design and process flow
• Reduce the cost of products through Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly methods
• Drive continuous improvement to deliver efficiency of existing and planned processes and systems
• Improve launch quality and timing of product and process change. Drive “flawless launch” processes
• Provide manufacturing technical leadership to site
• Provide real time production process capability information to product engineering to drive component design and rational tolerancing
• Lead Manufacturing engineering activities to optimize both product and process simultaneously
• Lead engineering personnel to provide timely manufacturing feasibility information to product engineering to optimize product designs for production
• Lead the launch planning, launch of new products, production tools, and processes at the site
• Provide technical assistance and leadership to the planning and purchase of new manufacturing equipment
• Develop Manufacturing systems and related CER’s (Capital Expenditure Requests) to deliver future requirements
• Cultivate professional engineering practices, professional growth and performance improvement of subordinates
• Oversee and timely allocate ME resources for PDP (Product Development and Change Process), 3P, and drive manufacturing process development, improvement and control with all functions involved.
• Manage expenses, capital and tooling budgets, drive measurable process improvements (Safety, Quality, Volume, Cost and Delivery), ensure adequate facility to maintain equipment effectiveness, ensure delivery of process design solutions for new, modified and existing products and coordinate and execute Manufacturing Assessment Builds (MAB) and Manufacturing Verification Builds (MVB)
• Mitigate ergonomic and safety risks by maintaining and adjusting tooling, equipment and fixtures.
• Oversee process development process to include SOEs, work instructions, routings and other related process documentation, as well as analysis, calculations, and simulations necessary for continual process and product improvement in collaboration with Opex
• Participate in Technical Design Reviews to ensure new designs have proper consideration for manufacture/assembly
• Provide ME resources to support daily production including ECN support, support for production processes, and support of CCI ME, Tool and Die & Maintenance efforts to remove barriers to production and increase overall efficiency
• Works to consistently meet and exceed customer requirements
• Develop (recruit, train, mentor) Manufacturing Engineering and related personnel aligned with Trane Technologies curriculum and career progression model.
• Support development plans for ME’s to maintain good succession pipeline.

Quality

• Assure quality of all products and services. Final authority to provide disposition of non-conforming material and product shipped to customers and received from suppliers.
• Assure compliance with all external and internal regulations, specifications and standard work.
• Assure compliance with ISO certification requirements
• Implement, audit, consistently apply and sustain Trane Technologies Business Operating System / Global Quality Management System and suggest system improvements.
• Focus management on the appropriate metrics and actions based on those metrics across the organization, assuring effective tracking of operational performance. Report on Trane Technologies quality metrics from plant perspective, analyze (key organizational) quality metrics and perform periodical reviews to evaluate results and establish action plans to close the gaps
• For the quality function, lead Mission Control, MDI, and actively participate in (internal and external) audits, follow up actions. Monitor and improve product and process efficiency by providing an independent audit function
• Oversee and timely allocate quality resources for PDP (Product Development and Change Process) and 3P and drive the CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) process with all functions involved.
• Develop (recruit, train, mentor) quality and related personnel aligned with Trane Technologies curriculum and career ladder model. Maintain Succession Plan.
• Lead the product warranty and process improvement efforts to drive quality project priority and ultimate closure.
• Responsible for the development of the annual operating plan and driving plans to achieve business results in key quality metrics (COPQ -Scrap, Rework, concessions, warranty)
• Maintain Quality department budget and control related expenses and investments

 Success Factors:

• Possess operational and quality systems experience and skills, including the demonstrated ability to design and track quality and regulatory relevant processes and metrics for all areas involved in the production and delivery of products and services in a fast-paced lean environment and under pressure. Proficient in contemporary QA tools (i.e. QMS, AQP, PPAP, SPC, PPAP, GDT, metrology, tool design, etc.), manufacturing processes, Lean implementation.
• Utilize, interpret and apply project management and planning tools, problem solving techniques, process improvement tools, statistical and sampling techniques, Process Capability, Measurement System Analysis.
• Provide expertise in Quality Assurance and process improvement tools and methods to all functions of the organization to support their continuous improvement activities
• Professional in both customer and supplier interaction
• Be team oriented and proactive change agent with a true hands-on and collaborative approach in implementing and maintaining operating disciplines; excellent interpersonal skills, mentor, team player and builder. Collaborative and Participative management style
• A confident professional able to proactively resolve issues and challenge assumptions.
• Apply technical and practical knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals to create excellent products that meet reliability, schedule, cost, and quality goals.
• Understanding of production and inspections tools, techniques and their application to engineering requirements desirable.
• Strong knowledge in the understanding application of engineering models and theories, basic statistical techniques, problem solving and prevention, project management and planning tools, process management and improvement tools, lean methodology and visual management.
• Strong knowledge of Quality System Development and Auditing (ISO:  9001, 13485, TS-29001, AS-9100, TS-16949) skills as well as product and supplier auditing skills.
• Proficient/Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Lean Materials Flow.
• Use metrics to manage and drive improvement.
• Competent in the use of plant-specific basic production equipment
• Demonstrated abilities in tool, fixture and gage design a plus.
• Strong computer skills in a MS-Windows environment.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related discipline.  Master’s Degree a plus.
• Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) manufacturing experience required
• 10+ years of experience in various functions of quality management, program and project management and manufacturing or industrial engineering
• 3+ years leadership experience and talent development
• Lean OPEX Training required
• Ergonomics training helpful
• Strong leadership skills required
• Strong verbal and written communications skills required
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal, and team skills required
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of MS Office Suite required.  Oracle and AutoCAD/Pro/E knowledge is preferred.

Compensation:   

Base Pay Range: $ 79,000-$165,000

Total compensation for this role will include an incentive plan. Disclaimer: This base pay range is based on US national averages. Actual base pay could be a result of seniority, merit, geographic location where the work is performed.

Equal Employment Opportunity:   
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.