Job Description
Job Overview:
**Classification:
**¨NBSP;
Exempt - Salary
**Reports to:
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Engineering Manager
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**Company History:
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American Art Clay Company (AMACO) was founded in 1919 by Ted O. Philpott. AMACO is known for being the first to commercially manufacture ceramic and non-ceramic clays, lead-free glazes, electric kilns, and potter’s wheels. AMACO is a founding member of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute, which established safety standards for children’s art materials in 1936. Today, AMACO continues to manufacture ceramic supplies with the highest standards of quality and safety.
AMACO is a fourth-generation, 100-year-old, family-owned and operated company that strongly believes that art and the act of creating it fosters well-being for the individual while enriching society as a whole. Making art facilitates tactile learning, encourages self-expression, develops craft skills, and cultivates creativity. AMACO promotes a culture of continuous improvement and change, and a working environment that embraces innovation at all levels, from the factory floor to the executive offices. Everyone is empowered to improve their role, and their collaborative processes, and to participate in the common goals of safety, quality, customer care, teamwork, respect, and learning and development. We are seeking an Industrial Designer who will be a part of the continuous improvement of AMACO.
***Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities
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**Job Summary:
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The Industrial Designer is responsible for overseeing the production of new products and ensuring high-quality standards are met. This position requires a technical and operational understanding of industrial processes and the ability to coordinate across production-related functions.
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**Core Responsibilities:
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The primary focus of this position’s labor hours will be on 70% “New Product” and 30% “Existing Product” Engineering activities. Emphasis on efforts to determine, manage, and deliver “Design Lock” on “New Product” projects and overall management of establishing/lead multi-departmental transition of “New Products” into production.
**Prototype Development & Fabrication
** – Fabricate & assemble functional prototypes using a variety of manufacturing methods. Perform hands-on product development activities. Design and build proof-of-concept models and Engineering prototypes. Troubleshooting mechanical, electrical (preferred), and manufacturing issues during prototype development. Conduct testing, validation, and performance evaluations to verify design requirements.
**Mechanical Engineering & Product Development
** – Develop detailed Engineering drawings, specifications, BOMs, and product documentation. Select materials, components, and manufacturing methods. Perform tolerance analysis and support reliability testing. Apply DFM, DFA, and design-for-serviceability principles. Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to organize product designs for cost, quality, and production efficiency.
**Manufacturing Process Development
** – Design and implement manufacturing processes for new products. Develop assembly procedures, fabrication methods, inspection plans, and workflow processes. Design and specify fixtures, jigs, tooling, and production equipment. Support the improvement of manufacturing efficiency, throughput, and production quality. Drive process validation and pilot production builds.
**Production Launch and Scale-Up
** – Lead the transition from prototypes to production. Support NPI and manufacturing ramp-up activities. Develop production work instructions, process documentation, and support the creation of quality standards. Train manufacturing personnel on assembly, fabrication, testing, and quality procedures. Provide hands-on support during production startup and troubleshooting. Identify root causes of manufacturing issues and drive corrective actions.
**Cross-Functional Leadership
** – Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Purchasing, and production teams. Communicate the technical requirements of manufacturing expectations to internal and external stakeholders. Support supplier qualification, process audits, and continuous improvement initiatives. Drive projects from initial concept through successful product launch.
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**Skills:
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Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to develop creative solutions. This role requires strong communication and organizational skills to ensure successful product delivery, as well as strong verbal communication and leadership skills to coordinate with teams, stakeholders, and suppliers. Strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, physics (preferably), and computer science (preferably). Proficiency in software tools like CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360), MATLAB, Excel, and simulation programs. Knowledge of Engineering design, optimization, and project management. Problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity to address complex production challenges.
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**Preferred Skills:
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- CNC machining. Including milling, turning, and routers.
Welding; Manual or robotic, MIG, TIG, fixturing, etc.
Test plans and gaging
Sheet Metal fabrication
Motor controls, specifically DC/BLDC motors
Basic electrical knowledge
**Work Environment:
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This job may require you to sit or stand for extended periods, as well as lifting/heavy lifting. Must be able to work in both hot and cold environments.
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**Physical Demands:
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The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
**Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
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This is a full-time position. Hours of work are Monday through Friday, 40+ hours per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
**Travel:
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This position will have minimal travel requirements.
**Education and Experience:
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**Re quired:
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BS in Engineering or Technology (Industrial or Mechanical) from an accredited university
**Preferred:
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10+ years of experience in a similar role (Production from Design to Market)
Experience in welding, fabrication, electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics, millwright, controls, plumbing, and carpentry
**EEO Statement:
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AMACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: AMACO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AMACO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the location where we operate. AMACO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
**Other Duties:
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***Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
