Machine Designer

Introduction

• Description: We are looking for a seasoned professional to leader of our machine design program to lead the design aspect of GVCS machine prototypes - from concept, CAD design, and engineering design according to OSE Specifications. Unique opportunity with innovative open source hardware development organization. See also Master Prototyper and Machine Designer Invitation.
• Date of Recruiting Announcement - 8/25/12
• No. of Positions: 1
• City: Maysville
• Country / State: USA / Missouri
• Enterprise: Open Source Ecology
• Job Title Suffix: Design Director

Basic Terms

• Must live on-site at Factor e Farm (accommodations and fast internet are provided, applicant covers their own food) and follow Factor e Farm General Guidelines
• Full time commitment (no outside jobs or telecommuting unless specifically negotiated)
• Applicant covers travel to and from FeF, and any insurance needs
• Financial compensation based on risk-sharing, experience, and culture fit
• Biweekly blog posting on the Factor e Farm Blog according to FeF Blogging Standards
• Alignment with open source culture, and openness to lifelong learning

Experience

Required

• Conceptual design, CAD, and CAE of mechanical, hydraulic, and mechatronic machines
• Design-for-fabrication
• Professional (or equivalent) experience in custom fabrication and machining
  • Virtuoso or Master skill level required
• Experience with hydraulic power
  • Hydraulic pump-motor coupling, valve types, Hydrauilic Circuits, flow/power/speed calculations
• Generate Bills of Materials, estimate costs and submit bids for engineering or construction projects, and prepare contract documents
• Generate Fabrication Diagrams for the fabrication team

Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports. Develop and test models of alternate designs and processing methods to assess feasibility, operating condition effects, possible new applications and necessity of modification. Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems. Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications. Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information. Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions. Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, and maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems and processes to meet requirements, applying knowledge of engineering principles. Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products using drafting tools or computer-assisted design (CAD) or drafting equipment and software. Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs. Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications. Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects. Investigate equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation, and to make recommendations to maintenance crew. Study industrial processes to determine where and how application of equipment can be made. Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs. Perform personnel functions such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists and other engineers, or design of evaluation programs. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications. Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products. Establish or coordinate the maintenance or safety procedures, service schedule, or supply of materials required to maintain machines or equipment in the prescribed condition.

• Solicit new business and provide technical customer service.
• Apply engineering principles or practices to emerging fields, such as robotics, waste management, or biomedical engineering.

==Other Required Dore

Desirable Experience

• Fabrication experience
• Operation of agricultural, construction, fabrication, and other electromechanical machines
• Human factors engineering
• Experience designing with microcontroller, CNC, and automation sustems
• CAM experience is a plus
• Teaching experience
• Power electronics
• Tool-and-die making
• Metallurgy

Role

Core Duties

• Ongoing building of prototypes
  • Pursues design work in absence of completed designs
• Ongoing field testing of prototypes
  • Data collection, evaluation, improvements in subsequent prototypes
• Leads teams of fabricators and apprentices in prototyping and production runs
  • Develops fabrication procedure according to Fabrication Diagram method

• Keeping workshop well-organized, ergonomic, and clean
  • Develops standards for cleanliness, tool organization, workflow
• Prototype fabrication quality control
• Training our team in machine operation and tool use
• Coordinates remote fabrication teams (Flash Fab Mobs)
• Instilling a sense of pride in craftsmanship and inspiring others towards mastery
• Designing shop organization and replication strategy with management team
• Enforcing shop conduct standards covering safety, quality control, organization, and cleanliness
• Advising the Director of Learning in developing curriculum covering fabrication and machining