Model Maker

Position Summary

Participate in the activities of a group involved in various machining, forming, fabrication, assembly and operational testing of prototype parts, components, machines or related packaging systems and other product line development duties assigned. Work in a positive, team-oriented manner to create a safe and positive work environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Communicate and collaborate with project team, internal group members, and external personnel to ensure projects meet: corporate quality and identity standards; cost estimate; on-time delivery goal; and customer expectations.
• Participate in activities as required to maintain flow of work. Improvise tooling, methods, work set-up or arrangement as required for machining, forming, altering existing design or for new development concept, including assembly of parts, components and testing/adjustment or modification needed to meet design requirements.
• Identify required tools and materials for projects.  Once parts and material are received, provide communication to project team. 
• Troubleshoot and diagnose problems. Confer, discuss difficulties with engineering and other department personnel. Remedy problems within scope of assigned responsibilities. Take action or advise others of major or critical problems in existing or new design concepts to resolve or avoid difficulties in machining, forming, fabrication, assembly or other production related consideration based upon prototype modification or part, component, machine change to meet or improve operational performance
• Work from work orders, complicated prints, specifications, sketches, written and verbal instructions and own knowledge of situation. Use a variety of common hand tools such as wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and precision measuring instruments, vernier calipers, micrometers and dial indicators. Operate small lathe, milling machine, drill press, cutoff, band saws and gas or electric welding equipment as required. Proficient in CNC programming.
• Obtain work or instructions and discuss considerations as required with leadership, engineering and own or other department personnel. Determine standard or special requirements, adaptation of existing design, modifications and/or new prototype operational concepts. Plan work sequence and determine method, procedure or tolerance as required to perform occasional difficult or unusual operations. Improvise tooling, methods, work set-up or arrangement as required for machining, forming, altering existing design or for new development concept, including assembly of parts, components and testing/adjustment or modification needed to meet design requirements. 
• Make exacting set-ups when required. Select a normal range or speeds, feeds, tooling and perform machining, welding or fabrication necessary. Hold close tolerances. Turn, mill, tap and/or bend and form a variety of various types of sheet steel, aluminum, stainless or bar, rod and plate stock. Perform a range of milling, drilling or hand finish work on heavy castings. 
• Perform bench or floor assembly and make various accurate fitting and adjustments of parts, components and complete units as required, assigned or directed. Install interrelated pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical/electronic parts, controls, or accessory equipment to make proper and/or operational arrangement. Conduct or assist in testing required. Troubleshoot and diagnose problem. Confer, discuss difficulties with engineering and other department personnel. Remedy problems within scope of assigned responsibilities. Suggest alternate course of action, prototype modification or part, component, machine change to avoid production-related problems or to meet or improve operational performance. Perform re-work, repairs modifications required or as directed to remedy or avoid problems. 
• Maintain assigned records, technical data and/or engineering information in appropriate system or file. Record time, production and test or engineering data or information required on proper form. Maintain work, storage areas and equipment used in a clean and orderly condition. Observe all prescribed or standard safety rules and regulations. 

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in advanced machining with demonstrated ability to do prototypes.  Model making experience preferred.
• Proficient in all machine shop equipment set-up and operation including CNC programming. 
• Proficient with advanced shop mathematics, machine shop practices, procedures, and various machine tools and measuring instruments such as calipers and micrometers.
• Proficient with related welding, fabrication, assembly, testing methods and practices.
• Must have the ability to work from work orders, complicated prints, specifications, and written and verbal instructions.
• Effective at collaborating to solve problems.
• Requires ingenuity, initiative and judgment.
• Dependable. Team player.  Effective written and verbal communication skills. Takes a positive approach
• Lead with positive, teamwork approach.
• Computer literacy: Ability to learn business systems.  Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office products. 
• Excellent attendance and reliability. Able to work overtime and attend meetings, training etc. outside normal shift. Able to travel when required.