Capital Equipment Engineer

Company Statement

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life. For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here. At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce. We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

Overview

 

Graham Packaging is seeking a Capital Equipment engineer who will lead the execution of capital projects.  The Engineer will be involved in and/or responsible for the development of specification, verification and qualification procedures that ensure solutions meet functional performance requirements and will lead the execution of capital equipment projects on the ground as planned.  This responsibility includes project scoping, costing, planning, executing and performing debrief to ensure continuous process improvement. The capital equipment engineer will work based in his/her home office located near a major airport. 

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Define equipment functional requirements using an understanding of the current and possible future product applications.
• Develop verification and qualification procedures that enhance vendor understanding and ensure alignment around meeting functional requirements.
• Dissect and break down project scope and develop capital solution details including:
  • Develop Line layouts that are functional, ergonomic, safe, provide for efficient workflow and support GMP
  • Perform field assessments of re-deployable equipment and develop refurbishment plans to ensure project success.
  • Interface with Development Engineering and corporate SME’s in developing engineered solutions
  • Engage suppliers in developing engineered solutions
• Manage all aspects of capital project execution including:
  • Manage internal and third party (e.g. contract) resources
  • Engage procurement team with vendors to ensure vendor qualification requirements are agreed and communicated contractually prior to issuing purchase orders.
  • Coordinate on-site project installation and startup activities
  • Conduct factory acceptance testing and new equipment qualification procedures as a condition of asset buy off at vendor site and after installation as necessary
  • Liaise with plants, sales, supply chain, human resources and regulatory agencies as necessary to ensure project success
  • Ensure all work is performed according to strict corporate Safety and GMP policies
• Work cross functionally to develop factory-training plans for newly installed equipment:
  • Develop and implement systematic training of plant personnel
  • Coordinate training activities with internal training resources and venders.
• Ensure Preventive Maintenance protocols are accurately documented and are entered into the PM management system
• Reduce manufacturing variability in the setup and operation of capital equipment through the proper application of fixturing, gauging and standard work.
• Perform project debriefs to identify improvement opportunities and participate in the implementation of process improvements.
• 75% travel at times.

Qualifications

Core Proficiencies and Skills

The following skills and proficiencies are essential requirements of the position:

• Demonstrated ability to decompose operational requirements such as form factor, energy consumption, ease of use, throughput and efficiency into equipment specifications such that the sum of the pieces yields the desired whole.
• Expert knowledge in the selection and implementation of small to moderate-sized production lines that include:

          o    Bulk material preparation e.g. dryers, batch mixers, washers,

          o    Bulk material handling equipment e.g. hoppers, augers, sorters

          o    Converting equipment e.g. plastic extruders, molders, thermoformers, injection                  molders, stampers, trimmers, etc.

          o    Conveyance equipment e.g. belt conveyers, indexers, sorters, etc.

          o    Decoration equipment e.g. in-line labelers, silk screen printers, direct object                        printers, shrink labelers, etc.

          o    Finished goods handling e.g. bulk packers, palletizers

          o    Inspection equipment e.g. inline dimensional inspection stations, leak detectors

          o    Facilities

• Expert in line layout design using software such as AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of line design that optimizes line uptime i.e. throughput, queueing, accumulation and bottleneck analysis, while minimizing floor space and capital cost.
• Skilled in ergonomics and design for human safety
• Deep knowledge of:

          o    High (600 psi) and standard (100 psi) pressure factory air system selection,                        installation, and maintenance, including piping requirements and standards

          o    Chilled water systems and HVAC

          o    Hydraulic systems including theory of operation of pumps, valves, filtration and                  metering. Also experience with hydraulic system maintenance and                                      troubleshooting

          o    PLC (e.g. Beckhoff, AB) and control hardware including ability to read and use                    schematics to verify and troubleshoot systems

           o    Electrical distribution systems including working knowledge of IEEE safety and                   design standard. Familiar with electrical cabinet and J-box design, conduiting,                     grounding, and termination best practices. Capable to read and understand                         electrical schematics.

           o    Equipment crating and transportation

           o    Heavy equipment manipulation using hoists and rigging and factory floor                             alignment/attachment

• Proficient in tools of project management such as Gantt charts, critical path analysis, action registers, etc.
• Strong leadership skills in leading cross-functional teams in the execution of large and standalone capital projects

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• BS or AS degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical) is preferred. Non-degreed with 10 years of foundation equipment engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience installing, maintaining and troubleshooting factory equipment is required 
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project management, equipment development, and deploying medium complexity manufacturing lines and systems.

The standard compensation for this role is $95,400 - 143,100. Salary offers will be determined based on final candidate qualifications, experience, skillset, and other relevant factors

Compensation Statement

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits Statement

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

EEO Disclaimer

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Define equipment functional requirements using an understanding of the current and possible future product applications.
- Develop verification and qualification procedures that enhance vendor understanding and ensure alignment around meeting functional requirements.
- Dissect and break down project scope and develop capital solution details including:
- Develop Line layouts that are functional, ergonomic, safe, provide for efficient workflow and support GMP
- Perform field assessments of re-deployable equipment and develop refurbishment plans to ensure project success.
- Interface with Development Engineering and corporate SME’s in developing engineered solutions
- Engage suppliers in developing engineered solutions

- Manage all aspects of capital project execution including:
- Manage internal and third party (e.g. contract) resources
- Engage procurement team with vendors to ensure vendor qualification requirements are agreed and communicated contractually prior to issuing purchase orders.
- Coordinate on-site project installation and startup activities
- Conduct factory acceptance testing and new equipment qualification procedures as a condition of asset buy off at vendor site and after installation as necessary
- Liaise with plants, sales, supply chain, human resources and regulatory agencies as necessary to ensure project success
- Ensure all work is performed according to strict corporate Safety and GMP policies

- Work cross functionally to develop factory-training plans for newly installed equipment:
- Develop and implement systematic training of plant personnel
- Coordinate training activities with internal training resources and venders.

- Ensure Preventive Maintenance protocols are accurately documented and are entered into the PM management system
- Reduce manufacturing variability in the setup and operation of capital equipment through the proper application of fixturing, gauging and standard work.
- Perform project debriefs to identify improvement opportunities and participate in the implementation of process improvements.
- 75% travel at times.