KCI HALIFAX - Manager, Engineering

at  JTEKT North America

TITLE Manager, Electrical Engineering
REPORTS TO Senior EE Manager
DEPARTMENT Technical Center
LOCATION Halifax
CLASSIFICATION Salaried Exempt
Summary
In this role, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of EE engineers for achieving excellence in electrical engineering for electromechanical products including, but not limited to, steering and driveline for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway equipment. You will be responsible for a variety of products in various stages of their lifecycle from definition and architecture to control algorithms and robust design to mass production.
If you are looking for a challenging, rewarding opportunity to display your expertise, we want you!

KEY JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a team environment, without close supervision
• Strong strategic vision along with the planning and tactical skills to achieve the vision
• Good judge of character and technical ability, i.e. good people assessment skills
• Able to combine patience, persistence, and organizational agility to operate in a multicultural, global corporate structure
• Motor, motor control, and control software knowledge
• In depth understanding of development processes and best practices in development, testing, analysis, design tools and associated standards (IEEE, etc.), ISO26262, and ASPICE/CMMI.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Software, Controls or related discipline. Masters degree is preferred.
• 10+ years experience in automotive safety product development.
• Demonstrated leadership (direct or indirect), planning, monitoring and communication skills.
• Experience leading a project from development into production.
• Experience in safety chassis mechatronics (Electric Power Steering, Brakes…) is highly preferred

• Lead a multifaceted team of Electrical Engineering professionals, working across various domains such as software, hardware, systems, system testing, manufacturing, and project management, to deliver cutting-edge automotive products.
• Develop expertise in the organization focusing on maximizing the efficiency of highly capable engineers and deploying effective processes.
• Oversee multiple projects for the design and development of mechatronics products.
• Track quality and cost metrics during development and production phases to refine cost targets, development processes, and objectives for continuous improvement and adoption of best practice
• Support programs from the quotation stage to production, ensuring the achievement of internal and customer milestones, as well as technical and budget targets.
• Identify potential risks related to time, budget, and technical aspects, formulate mitigation plans, and execute them as necessary.
• Manage overall work distribution and allocation within the team and identify potential third party when outsourcing is more efficient.
• Support customer negotiations for delivery timing and content, set implementation and defect resolution priorities and manage release activities.
• Integrate ASPICE and Functional Safety (ISO26262) activities into project plans.
• Ensure standardization of products and processes across multiple projects and locations.
• Interview and hire outstanding electrical engineers that fit well in the JTEKT culture
• Build strong relationships with the OEM engineering teams in North America through transparency and exceptional customer service
• Lead benchmarking activities and participation in industry events to stay up to date on technology and Identify areas of improvements, cost reduction and business opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with JTEKT’s current and potential electrical suppliers in order to develop outstanding systems and deliver exceptional customer service to the OEMs in North America
• Collaborate with the JTEKT electrical engineering groups in Japan and Europe
• Oversee the local JTEKT facilities, ensuring they are properly maintained and cared for.
• Ensure all work is performed safely, adhering to all corporate policies. Maintain and participate in the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and ensure that JTEKT and all employees are complying with the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Work daily overtime and Saturdays and/or Sundays when directed by immediate supervisor or, as necessary, to complete essential job duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead the group in a manner that creates high morale and delivers excellent results
• Coach and mentor team members to help them reach their full potential as engineers.
• Develop plans to increase the technical skill of the engineers though formal and informal training.
• Establish clear and measurable objectives and provide both formal and informal feedback on performance in relation to these objectives.
• Control and approve documents and designs released by the group. Ensure local and corporate processes are being followed.
• Plan for and use resources efficiently, always looking for ways to reduce costs, creating accurate and realistic budgets.
• Create and communicate a long-term vision, balancing short and long-term goals, keeping team’s work aligned with overall Company goals
• Provide leadership to group members for customer technical interface
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with JNA policies and applicable laws