Leader, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering – Molding Processes & Technology.
TPI Composites · Mexico
Position Objective:
Lead the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team and the plant's molding technology agenda, identifying, developing and industrializing optimal, cost-effective molding processes and methods for all blade manufacturing operations, including mold preparation, gel coat, fiber layup, resin infusion and cure, and bonding, in accordance with product specifications and quality standards. Direct the evaluation, down-selection, validation and industrialization of new molding technologies and methods, applying the TPI manufacturing readiness framework to establish technology maturity and action plans, and ensure that technical data packages are built and communicated to support problem solving and decision-making. Act as the technical authority and people leader of the area: set direction and priorities, manage the project portfolio, develop talent, and ensure that technology implementation supports the safety, quality, cost, productivity and operational excellence objectives of the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform and enforce all duties in compliance with TPI policies and aligned to TPI values of safety, operational excellence, commitment, integrity and leadership.
- Lead the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team for molding processes: set direction, plan, prioritize and assign workload and projects, and ensure on-time execution of the area work plan and objectives.
- Collaborate with Technology, Quality, Customer and Production teams to establish requirements and controls for molding process improvements, and translate them into the team's project portfolio, technical standards and priorities.
- Apply the TPI manufacturing readiness framework to establish manufacturing technology maturity and action plans for molding processes.
- Define, approve and lead engineering test plans to evaluate and down-select new molding technology, equipment or methods for a production environment.
- Lead the industrialization and implementation of new molding processes, methods, equipment and controls across mold preparation, gel coat, fiber layup, resin infusion and cure, and bonding, ensuring validation, documentation and effective hand-off to Production.
- Ensure the team analyzes, interprets and summarizes data from trials, validations and technology qualifications to support root-cause analysis and technical decision-making; review and approve technical data packages before release.
- Direct the application of statistical process control (SPC), data analytics and AI / machine-learning tools to qualify new molding processes and technologies, establish capability baselines and verify that implemented solutions hold; ongoing process monitoring remains with Production and Process Engineering.
- Act as technical referent for molding technology and process design, providing engineering expertise to Production, Quality, Tooling, Maintenance and Process and Product Engineering, without assuming responsibility for day-to-day production execution.
- Own the area's technology, automation, digitalization and cost-reduction project pipeline for molding processes, prioritizing initiatives by impact on safety, quality, cost and productivity.
- Coach, develop and evaluate the Advanced Manufacturing Engineers, providing mentoring, technical leadership and performance feedback, and promoting knowledge transfer across the team.
- Build training, succession and development plans for the area, and participate in the selection and onboarding of new team members.
- Manage the relationship and performance of molding technology and equipment suppliers, including technical negotiation and follow-up of deliverables and technical requirements.
- Provide input to capital investment plans, installed capacity and long-term molding technology roadmaps for the plant and the AMT organization.
- Communicate technical content and project status, risks and results across all levels of the organization, influencing alignment based on sound engineering and data, and escalate critical risks and deviations in a timely manner.
- Administer engineering change control and traceability of technical information for molding processes.
- Comply with and promote the Internal Work Regulations and the Mission, Vision and Values of the organization.
- Contribute to the maintenance and continuous improvement of the Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001), promoting customer focus, risk-based thinking and operational excellence.
Technical Competencies:
- Molding process development, optimization and industrialization for composite blade manufacturing (mold preparation, gel coat, fiber layup, resin infusion and cure, bonding).
- Fiberglass composite material processing, resin and gel coat systems, and cure behavior.
- Manufacturing readiness / technology maturity assessment and action planning.
- Design and execution of engineering test plans and technology down-selection.
- Statistical process control (SPC), process capability studies and measurement system analysis.
- Data analytics applied to manufacturing process improvement (Power BI, Minitab, SQL or equivalent).
- AI / machine-learning tools applied to process monitoring, anomaly detection and predictive quality.
- Manufacturing automation technologies (robotics, automated layup, process control systems).
- Root cause analysis and structured problem solving (RCA, 5 Why, Ishikawa, DOE).
- Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen and continuous improvement methodologies (SMED, Poka-Yoke, 5S).
- Management of multiple concurrent engineering projects, including scope, schedule and cost control.
- Interpretation of drawings, BOMs and technical specifications; geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
- CAD 3D modeling and technical documentation (SolidWorks, CATIA or equivalent).
- PDM/PLM systems, technical document control and Microsoft Office.
- Development of work instructions, process standards and training material.
- Capital project justification, cost-benefit analysis and business case preparation.
Soft Competencies (Leadership):
- Team leadership, people management and accountability for results.
- Talent development, coaching and mentoring.
- Strategic and systems thinking.
- Decision making under uncertainty and with incomplete data.
- Change management and ability to influence without authority.
- Effective communication and executive presentation skills.
- Negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Cross-functional collaboration and teamwork.
- Emotional intelligence, self-awareness and active listening.
- Delegation and priority management.
- Analytical and critical thinking.
- Attention to detail and quality orientation.
- Innovation, creativity and continuous improvement mindset.
- Bias for action and drive to succeed as a team player in a fast-paced setting.
- Adaptability and resilience.
- Integrity, ethics and role-modeling of the organization's values.
Minimum Requirements:
Education: B.S. degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering, or Engineering Technology, required. Postgraduate studies in engineering management, manufacturing or business administration are a plus.
Experience: Minimum 5-8 years of relevant manufacturing experience (fiberglass composites preferred), including at least 2 years leading engineering teams, projects or personnel. Direct experience developing or optimizing composites molding processes strongly desired, including one or more of the following: mold preparation, gel coat application, fiber layup, resin infusion/cure and bonding operations. Experience with Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing techniques preferred. Experience applying data analytics and statistical process control (SPC) to drive process quality and capability improvements preferred. Familiarity with manufacturing automation technologies (robotics, automated layup, process control systems) preferred. Experience with AI or machine-learning tools applied to process monitoring, anomaly detection or predictive quality preferred.
Certifications (desirable): Lean Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt), CAPM / PMP, SPC, GD&T, SolidWorks (CSWA or CSWP), Kaizen, SMED, Poka-Yoke, data analytics or machine-learning certification, internal auditor ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001.
Language: Advanced English (verbal and written), required for interaction with customers, corporate teams and other TPI sites.
Other requirements: Willingness to travel within the US and Mexico (up to 25%). Ability to be on the factory floor for long periods of time, potentially working across multiple shifts.