University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's College of Engineering and Computer Science is launching a mentoring program.  

The new program will need mentors for young women in these programs of study:

• Data Science
• Cyber Security
• Engineering Management
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics

The program will run from August to April, with mentors to invest about one hour per month. There is a mandatory orientation and networking event at UTC campus on the afternoon of Saturday 8/27.

The focus is on helping the student work toward the personal and professional goals she lays out at the start of the relationship and motivating her toward additional goals as needed.

Irene Hillman, Director of Student Success, is leading the mentoring program.  

What makes a good mentor for this new program?

This is what Irene shared, a professional who identifies as a woman and meets the following:

• In the field of study that aligns (at least somewhat) with the student.
• Truly interested in helping someone, is curious about others and is able to open up to them. A great mentor asks lots of questions.
• Organized, and able to meet time commitments as well as create a clear but flexible plan to meet the goals the mentee has set for herself.
• Willing to show their mentee how the field works. Able to open doors by sharing their network as appropriate as well.
• Can build confidence by explaining expectations, preparing them for their experiences in the field, pointing out their strengths, and highlighting their progress.
• Will “challenge with a smile” – after setting expectations, good mentors enforce accountability and provide constructive feedback while remaining approachable.

If interested, please complete a survey.  Irene Hillman will be in touch later.

La-Z-Boy is hiring an entry level Electrical Engineer at the Innovation Center in Dayton, Tennessee.

Responsibilities

New Product Development and Product Launch

Evaluate product design concepts which incorporate new or modified electrical content for feasibility and revise for manufacturing and production

Develop electrical design and requirements

Manage electrical system development to meet program needs

Assist with the development of prototypes to evaluate basic functionality and usability

Prepare reports and present project status at Phase Gate meetings

Support Customer Care teams to develop appropriate training material and documentation, such as troubleshooting guides and repair processes

Evaluate the feasibility of incorporating developing technologies into La-Z-Boy products

Assure the protection and processing of intellectual property and patents

Testing/Validation/Compliance

Validating product designs through verification

Track changes in regulations which will impact La-Z-Boy products, and establish and maintain electronic program compliance to applicable standards (UL 962, UL1647, UL1310, CE, etc.)

Lead the development and update of electrical requirements and test methods through the use of FMEAs and other quality tools

Develop manufacturing requirements for new technology as they are introduced

Build prototype system to support mechanical design validation testing

Supplier Management Support

Serve as the electrical design liaison between supplier and La-Z-Boy developmental team

Review technical feasibility of supplier quotes

Provide input to supplier agreements

Participate in new supplier audits

Review PPAP part submittals and other quality documentation from suppliers

Quality/Operations Support

Provide technical support during electrical system issue investigation (consumer, manufacturing) and aid in the determination of resolution

Provide support to the plants to insure proper handling, testing and development of electrical component gages in the manufacturing environment

Provide support to Quality and Supply Chain to develop appropriate inspections

SCOPE & IMPACT: 

Working through La-Z-Boy’s quality product development system, problem solving through iterative development, and team collaboration will set up both smooth launches and high customer satisfaction. The engineer’s designs will integrate into a wide variety of materials, including polymers (injection molded, blown); stamped, formed, cast, machined, and coated metals; wood products (solids, veneers, composites); and foams (slab polyurethane). Work collaboratively with Procurement team to build supplier requirements and improve the effectiveness of our electrical component spending in excess of $20 million per year. 

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and 0-2 years of experience in an electronic design role
• Experience with the following:
  • Logic control systems
  • Sensors, low power converters, and analog or mixed-signal circuit design
  • Test and debug equipment
  • Designing electronic circuit assemblies for medium volume, low cost low power, small products 
• Ability to travel up to 30%

 For more details and to apply - http://app.jobvite.com/m?3VnVqmwu

Do you remember our weekly newsletters that provided summary of each program?  That was a lot of work for many officers over the years.  However, we did have great feedback on our archived newsletters.

Due to the limited seats at our May 9th program, and great presentation by Brent Rollins, Vice President of Business Development with Spray-Lock Concrete Protection, we will share his presentation to members that could not join us.

The presentation is titled "Improving Concrete Durability with Colloidal Silica".  Brent gave a brief history and overview of Portland Cement, composition of cement, how colloidal silica works, effect of water in cement, concrete longevity and ended with secret sauce of Spray-Lock and projects.

Thank you to Spray-Lock and Brent for sharing his presentation with us.

Peak Performance/Smart Factory Institute / Peak Performance is growing and hiring!

Some of our members might have attended the Global Robotics Congress in March and the recent Global EV Battery Innovation Conference.  

Please see position(s) listed on the site - https://www.peakperformanceinc.com/careers

Business Development Representative for Smart Factory Institute

Convention & Meeting Coordinator (filled)

Digital Content Coordinator (filled)

Office Coordinator (filled)

Work site location is at the PIE Center in Cleveland, Tennessee.

See press release here.

contact Lulu Copeland for more information or access the information online.

Novonix has an immediate need for a project engineer!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Engineer will monitor and coordinate activities concerning the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. He or she will participate in the conceptual development of a project and participate in its organization, scheduling, budgeting and implementation. This job post is directed toward engineers in specialized construction fields, but not limited to only civil engineers.

Essential Functions:

Provides input in plans, schedules, and coordination of project activities to meet deadlines.

Prepares and submits budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.

Interprets and follows plans and contract terms for proper implementation.

Involved in directing construction or related workers in the field on various projects.

Reviews contracts or revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.

Confers with supervisory personnel, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.

Participates in planning, organizing, or directing activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.

Utilizes engineering experience and problems solving skills to provide input and resolve issues with design and construction in the field.

Provides support of projects to maintain compliance with all applicable codes and standards.

Assists in developing new or modified plans in response to delays, bad weather, or construction site emergencies.

Requisition supplies or materials to complete construction projects.

Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competencies:

· Communication Skills

· Problem Analysis

· Attention to Detail

· Organizing

· Project Management

SKILLS & ABILITIES

· Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of buildings, or other structures.

· Knowledge of engineering and manufacturing principles for successful long-range business and management planning.

· The ability to apply general rules to specific problems producing logical answers and outcomes.

· The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

· Job requires care regarding detail and thorough thought in completing work tasks.

· Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a technical area of study.

Experience

5 Years of commercial/industrial construction or manufacturing experience.

Computer Skills: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office Programs

For additional job details, visit Indeed job post.

You may also send your resume to be forwarded with Lulu Copeland.

Other engineering jobs from Novonix: Mechanical Engineer, Development engineer, etc.

The 2022 Chattanooga E-Week with the title ‘Reimagining the Possible’ was kicked off with the traditional E-Week luncheon on February 21st. For being an annual event to raise public awareness about engineering and contributions that engineers make to society, the E-Week luncheon definitely made a mark.

Besides starting out not only with a lineup of the current and past presidents in attendance of one of the oldest engineering societies, the Chattanooga Engineers Club, an introduction and information of the 17 partner organizations that made the event possible, along with the technology partner, Peak Performance, a history of E-Week, scholarship donations given to UTC, Chattanooga State, Bryan College, and Cleveland State by ASQ, CEC, E-Week, and SWE with closing remarks by Senator Bo Watson, the highlight to current innovation for working forward in the United States and the world in the battery technology space and demands, Keynote speakers Daniel Deas, COO, and Harrison Kreafle, CTO, of Novonix were introduced by supporter former U.S. Senator Bob Corker.

Senator Bob Corker informed of his background involvement in supporting bringing the Novonix headquarters into the Chattanooga area. In addition, emphasized that Novonix would have the ability to onshore an essential product in making lithium auto batteries, an important component to the future of electric vehicles. With meeting Daniel Deas, who grew up in Chattanooga, and Harrison Kreafle, who grew up in North Georgia, came to understand what Novonix was doing to advance Chattanooga, this industry, and the community.

With the majority of all lithium-ion batteries and their raw materials being produced in China and virtually a non-existing supply chain in North America, Novonix is working towards solving this dilemma from research performed in using advanced processes that would be performed within the United States. Novonix is ‘Reimagining the Possible’ through research and process changes for better battery technology, which is in demand for not only electric vehicles, but for the future of grid energy storage with the increased grid capacity of renewables, such as wind and solar power. In addition, Novonix is re-establishing U.S. manufacturing in this space, securing U.S. cell manufacturer supply chains, and providing materials for the U.S. to compete on a world stage.

If you would like more information, please see the agenda or videos of the event by clicking the links below:

2022 E-Week Luncheon Agenda

2022 E-Week Luncheon Full Video

2022 E-Week Luncheon - Keynote Speakers

Chattanooga Engineers Club held its first meeting in 2022 with a hybrid event and "Reimagining the Possible" with ‘Iconic Moments’, presented by Chris Cummings of ‘Pass It Down’. We were fortunate to have with us one of the world’s leading pioneers in digital storytelling. Iconic Moments is the first NFT marketplace for the 450,000 cultural institutions globally. Pass It Down is transferring their lessons learned and sharing their experience to promote the power of storytelling

In the following recorded January 10th, 2022, Chattanooga Engineers Club event presentation, you can see how Iconic Moments has helped elevate the Porsche brand and many others with the ability to capture and share stories, as well as preserve ideas into the digital world:

CEC 1/10/2022 Iconic Moments presentation

Chris Cummings graciously presented the Chattanooga Engineers Club a complementary license to tell our almost 100 years of stories.

Please contact Lulu Copeland (lulucopeland@gmail.com) or Gabe Kurtz (bgkurtz@tva.gov) to share your Chattanooga Engineers Club stories. We welcome pictures and news articles in the digital form.

Chattanooga Engineers Club will end 2021 with a meeting on December 6.  Josh Shultz, TVA's General Manager of Transmission Operation, about Solar Integration Lessons Learned.

The Club held election last month and Gabe Kurtz will be our 2022 President, and George Aslinger will be Vice President.  We thank both for their service.  We appreciate Steve Poteet for leading CEC this year. 

Several quarterly leadership meetings took place this year.  The meetings were attended by many past presidents and members of the programming and membership committee.  Some strategies and action items moving forward:

• Adding banking account “owners” – there will be three persons each year with check signature capability. These three will need to meet at the bank in January to sign cards. The current-year President will be one of the three each year going forward. For 2022 the check signature personnel will be:

• Discussed update on Wild Apricot setup and ongoing improvements in functionality, PDH generation, membership reminders, etc.
• Discussed the current “backup plan” for various responsibility roles.
• Discussed 2022 programming. Please submit suggestions for additional topics and tours. Please reach out to your networks and submit ideas. 
• Discussed “in-person” vs “virtual” meeting options for 2022. May try to do a little of both. It seems that overall attendance is higher with virtual. May also do a “hybrid” where attendees will have the option of virtual attendance. 

Please contact CEC leadership team to share inputs.

Mechanical Engineer III

La-Z-Boy Incorporated  Dayton, TN On-site

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned): New Product Development and Launch:

• Lead and execute diverse, complex, or innovative projects.
• Work with product development teams to execute successful product launches.
• Recommend data-driven design modifications.
• Develop preliminary and final prototypes to evaluate safety, functionality, and reliability.
• Review design iterations against project requirements, ergonomic comfort, safety, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Use Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) best practices.
• Present concepts and models to Merchandising for functional and aesthetic approval.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Testing/Validation/Compliance:
• Determine appropriate testing to validate theoretical design empirically through experiment.
• Document design and production FMEAs and create test and misuse requirements to verify both stages.
• Conduct engineering studies based on test results.
• Create and present risk evaluations based on both theoretical and empirical evidence.
• Benchmark competitor products, including non-furniture industries.
• Write product MFG specifications and test procedures. Supplier Management Support:
• Work with suppliers, customers, dealers, etc. to create efficiencies in the development and introductions of new products.
• Research new materials and processes for wood, metal, foam, etc.
• Review and approve applicable portions of supplier PPAP submissions.
• Assist supplier selection efforts of Supply Chain by reviewing process capability.
• Provide general support to Supply Chain cost reduction and maintenance initiatives. Quality Support:
• Triage and analyze trending quality issues and aid in resolving complex technical issues, conduct advanced research, and identify product/service innovations.
• Assist Quality Audits at manufacturing locations.
• Accompany service calls to gain insight to customer needs.
• Assist Comfort Care requests for information.
• Other duties as assigned. SCOPE & IMPACT: The engineer’s designs will integrate into a wide variety of materials, including polymers (injection molded, blown); stamped, formed, cast, machined, and coated metals; wood products (solids, veneers, composites); and foams (slab polyurethane). Work collaboratively with Procurement team to build supplier requirements and improve the effectiveness of our raw material spending in excess of $300 million per year. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical, Textiles, or Industrial Engineering and 4-6 years of design experience with a minimum of two (2) years in mechanical design.
• Working knowledge of finite element analysis and general mechanical engineering analysis.
• Mid-Level experience in FMEA, DFM, DFA, statistical tolerance analysis, GD&T, and lean production.
• Experience with injection molding, metal stamping, castings, fasteners, raw and manufactured wood, and metal tubing.
• Must be able to balance process, technical requirements, and final commercial results in design.
• Review and interpret standards (ASTM, ANSI, BIFMA, ISO, UL, NEC, MFG, etc.)
• Experience with an “APQP-type” quality system, PPAP, 8D problem solving process, and gauge R&Rs.
• Experience in cost reduction initiatives in a design/manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of electronics and electrical components.
• Microsoft Office (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Solidworks or similar CAD software.
• Solidworks Simulations, or other FEA software.
• 3D printing.
• Ability to travel up to 30% may be with little advanced notice. PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
• Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical, Textiles, or Industrial Engineering and a minimum of 2-4 years of experience in mechanical design SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: normal office environment

Apply and view more details via LinkedIn.

Quality Engineer III

La-Z-Boy Incorporated 

Monroe, MI or Dayton, TN

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):

• Coordinate the development, implementation and consistency of process control tools/techniques across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Lead the Product & Process Development activities.
• Lead problem solving efforts in areas such as Cost of Quality (COF), Product Failure, and Warranty reduction.
• Lead assist peers and managers in basic quality tools and their application
• Lead the product, process, and quality system audits.
• Projects as directed by supervisor
  

Scope & Impact

Ensures that quality processes and procedures are documented and are being adhered to from design and development to manufacturing and delivery with the goal of shipping defect free products to customers. Responsible for monitoring internal and external concerns and quickly reacting to resolve them to minimize the impact to the customers and La-Z-Boy's expenditures and brand reputation.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a technical discipline with 4-6 years of relevant work experience or equivalent
• Mid - Level Microsoft Office skills (Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook).
• Strong organization, presentation and communication skills
• Experience applying PFMEA's, Control Plans, Work Instructions, Process Flow Diagrams, Capability Studies, Problem Solving/Decision Making methodologies, and Lean Manufacturing and Value Stream Mapping
• Experience with AQP/APQP
• Experience with a formal Quality Operating systems
• ASQ CQE/CQA certification or equivalent
• Up to 30% travel
  

Preferred Requirements

• Six Sigma Green certification
• ASQ CQE/CQA certification or equivalent

Apply and view more details via Linkedin.

National Engineers Week is an annual event to raise public awareness about engineering and the contributions that engineers make to society. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science, and technical skills. 

E Week 2022 will be February 20 - 26.

The theme is Reimagining the Possible.

One important celebration is to recognize local engineers that have contributed to the society through their work as engineers.  Chattanooga E Week will also recognize a technician that supported engineering projects and an engineering leader that have mentored current and future engineers, someone that have imagined and reimagined what can be possible.

Nominations forms can be downloaded from Chattanooga E Week site - http://www.chattanoogaengineersweek.com/nominations/ 

Nominations must be submitted by December 23, 2021.

Judging will take place during the first week of January 2022.