BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.
Innovation, Efficiency and Ambition: this is what VAT has stood for over 50 years.
With this passion, VAT has grown to become the leading international developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves and vacuum sealing technology, employing over 2000 people worldwide. The headquarters are located in Haag (Switzerland), the production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania and Taiwan.
We are seeking a talented Vulcanization Tooling Design Engineer to join our growing team. This is a newly created position, designed to support the expansion of our vulcanization operations.
Reporting directly to the Head of Vulcanization, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining tooling and fixtures to support our vulcanization processes. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that our tooling meets the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and reliability.
The role requires candidate with experience in mechanical design, good understanding of materials selection and able to account for thermal expansion of material in tools in design.
Role And Responsibility
- Mould Design: Creating detailed drawings and specifications for the mould
- Tooling standardization: defining guidelines, specifications, and practices for the design, manufacturing, and use of tools and fixtures to enhance flexibility of interface between tools and machines to ensure compatibility.
- NPI: collaboration in project teams for the development and introduction of new part vulcanising tools as well as the associated operating and testing equipment.
- Responsible for maintenance and replacement of vulcanizing tools and fixtures. Keep detailed tracking records of tooling maintenance and repair for future reference and improvement inputs.
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels for tool spare parts and materials to ensure timely availability.
- Collaboration in project teams for the development and introduction of new part vulcanising tools as well as the associated operating and testing equipment.
- Defining tool standard in achieving the high safety, quality, cleanliness requirements, optimum manufacturing costs and short throughput times.
- Design, source, procure tools for production and new products.
- Carry out tools design enhancement to meet user needs with feedback from users.
- Explore coating solution to improve tool life and reduce scrap rates by improving product release, details and finish.
- Define materials for the mould based on factors such as product requirements, manufacturing processes, and cost-effectiveness.
- Identify and resolve issues that may arise during the manufacturing or testing phases of the mould before release for production use.
- Close cooperation with process engineer and quality assurance and the other specialist departments to keep moulding products meeting required dimensional tolerances.
- Provide necessary training and support to employees ensuring that they understand the tools required to produce quality products.
- Advise production for tools related defect troubleshooting in vulcanisation process.
- Perform supplier research & evaluation: identifying potential suppliers who specialize in mould components, materials, or related services and assess suppliers based on factors like quality, reliability, lead times, pricing, and technical capabilities to keep local tooling source at equivalent standard as Swiss supplier.
- Ensuring that suppliers meet the necessary specifications and standards for providing high-quality components and services. It involves:
- Providing expert support to suppliers to help them understand and meet the company's technical requirements, specifications, and industry standards. This includes offering advice on materials selection, process optimization, and troubleshooting.
- Conducting training programs to enhance suppliers knowledge and skills. This can cover topics such as quality control techniques, process improvement methodologies, and the company's specific requirements.
- Recommend improvements in work instructions, methods, processes, policies and equipment and ensures that operators are kept updated of any changes.
- Call for support from other functions as required.
- Initiate and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
Minimum Qualification
- Minimum a B.Sc. Engineering.
- Mechanical engineering discipline are preferred.
- Knowledge of mould making and design for the rubber and plastics industry will be an advantage.
- Professional experience in the rubber moulding industry, e.g. tire or O-Ring manufacturing.
- Ability to work in a team and good communication skills, also in English, for cooperation with production and product management.
- Experience in project management (structured working method).
- Able to read technical drawings.
- Solution-oriented.
Preferred Qualification: Special skills (such as special certifications):
- Compression and transfer moulds design
- Mould repair and polishing
VAT is an equal opportunity employer. We see ourselves as a responsible and far-sighted employer that offers not only jobs, but also career and personal development opportunities through various training programs. We recognize the value of employee diversity and provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified application that contributes to innovation, improves customer orientation and employee satisfaction. One-step in this direction is to ensure that people are recognized and fairly compensated for their contributions to the company. In 2021, VAT received the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate as an acknowledgement for our commitment in ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.
