News & Feedback

Chattanooga-based associations in architecture, construction, engineering, and design are seeking submissions for people and projects that highlight the best of the best in the building industry.

Submissions for the sixth annual BRIC Awards, hosted by and benefiting the ACE Mentor Program, are now open until October 15^th.

Awards will be presented for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice in the following categories:

• AIA: Design Awards
• AGC: Excellence in Construction
• ASID: Residential, Commercial and Student Project
• ASLA: Award of Excellence
• green|spaces: Sustainable Project, Business and Professional
• ASCE/CEC/SWE/TSPE: Outstanding Engineering Project
• CSI: Innovative Collaboration
• HBAGC: Excellence in Building

Full application instructions for each award can be found at http://www.bricawards.org.

People’s choice and official judging will take place from October 15^th – October 31^st via the bricawards.org website. As COVID-19 social distancing regulations are updated, the awards committee will determine when and how to present the final awards. If a banquet is to be hosted, it will potentially take place in mid-November.

“We have an incredible number of high-quality projects that are produced by outstanding professionals in the building industry every year in Chattanooga, and the BRIC Awards provide an opportunity for us to recognize those who are excelling in their professions and in the community.  The BRIC Awards aligns with the ACE Mentor Program mission of developing partnerships and recognizing excellence, while supporting our ability to fund scholarships to encourage high school students to pursue higher education and careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering professions” stated Brian Horne, Director of Engineering, March-Adams & Associates and current ACE Mentor Board President.

The ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Mentor Program serves to promote careers in the design and construction industry to high school students.  During the program, ACE mentors meet with teams of local high school students to share with them about the design and build processes through project meetings, site visits, and hands-on activities.  Each year student teams are given a real-world project and work with their mentors to prepare innovative design and construction solutions.  At the end of the program students present their professional work at our annual scholarship banquet.  Each year through the generous support of local organizations, companies, and individuals ACE has the opportunity to provide scholarship to local students to help them pursue A-C-E career fields through education and training opportunities post-high school.  ACE is actively working in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia to invest in the future of the local design and construction workforce. 

Find more about ACE: http://acementor.org/

 

Arch Plastics Packaging (ARCH) is a reliable producer of Quality Plastic Containers with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The company has specialized in the production of High-end HDPE and PET plastic containers for the Pharmaceutical, Personal Care and Food Industries since 2006. As a Primary Packaging supplier, Arch follows stringent requirements meeting the customer requirements using key procedures covering all aspects of the business operations.

Arch is seeking a qualified professional for a “Quality Engineer” position and some of the key job responsibilities are as follows:

• Review the customer requirements for the products and provide the qualitative support to the manufacturing unit.
• Provide the quality Engineering interface for the customer, supplier and the assigned product teams.
• Able to perform and document all new product qualifications / product setups on the vision-based measurement system.
• Preparing the quality plans & new product specification documents for the qualified products.
• Releasing the production LOT’s for shipments by analyzing the QC test results.
• Review the OOS (Out of Specification) results of the measurements and provide the necessary Engineering feedback.
• Review the Quarantined (ON HOLD / REJECT) finished products / raw materials with proper Authorization to ensure they meet the compliance.
• Conduct and act as a supporting lead in conducting the supplier-based audits and review the critical action items from time to time, ensuring that the supplier meets the necessary requirements.
• Ensure that the plant employees follow the cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices), perform Weekly / Monthly GMP Audits.

Perform proper Root Cause Analysis of all action items, using 8D tool model in proposing the Corrective / Preventive (CAPA) actions needed from the internal / external audits.

Requirements –

The position requires a minimum of bachelor’s degree in Engineering or relevant experience in the field is considered. Candidate should be able to

• interpret and understand the drawing specification, tolerances, procedures for inspection and the application of sampling plans.
• use the inspection devices such as calipers, gauges.
• use MS-EXCEL, WORD & PowerPoint for project documents.

Knowledge of Minitab is a plus.

If you are interested in the above position, please sent resume to lulucopeland@gmail.com to be forwarded.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science presents The 2021 Technology Symposium

This year’s 4th annual event is called Reimagining Innovation and will be held virtually on April 16, 2021.

The Technology Symposium showcases innovative research projects conducted across multiple disciplines including engineering, engineering technology management and computer science.

After a strong showing at the Downtown Public Library last year with more than 700 attendees, the 4^th annual Technology Symposium will be held virtually.

More than 100 projects will be showcased.  Projects are from students at the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, Chattanooga State, Cleveland State and Dalton State, and from area high schools, as well as companies in the region.

The organizers are asking members of the community to register to attend, share the event in social media, and volunteer an hour to judge 5-7 projects.  

People of all backgrounds, industries, and specialties are invited to judge, as students need feedback from those within and outside STEM fields.

Judging is open from 10-Noon and you can participate from your computer.

Please sign up at the link below by April 9.

Please check out the event website (https://new.utc.edu/engineering-and-computer-science/technology-symposium)to register to attend and volunteer to judge

There is no cost to attend.

MATERIALS ENGINEER 

Supporting new product launch activities (NPI new product implementation ): material flow, packaging, layout, background in materials and has handled product launches. 

MUST HAVE SKILLS 

3-5 years of experience in Manufacturing Project management experience required 

Bachelor's in Engineering required 

Materials-related elements - packaging size, how to flow materials into line; someone who has handled product launches with material 

Launched products and/or production lines before 

Experience in assembly line/floor activities

COMPUTER SKILLS 

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Google) 

SOFT SKILLS 

Organized/detailed oriented/meticulous 

Self motivated/work independently 

Comfortable working with a variety of people and collaborating

if qualified and interested, please contact lulucopeland@gmail.com

the position is not posted at this time, this post will be updated with link when available.

The Mechanical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga invites applications for a non-tenure track Lecturer position beginning Fall 2021.  

Requirements:

• B.S. and M.S. degree in engineering.
• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated teaching experience in the thermal-fluid science labs and undergraduate courses.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their teaching competency.  

• The successful candidate is expected to be engaged in service to the department, college and university.
• Willingness to engage in assisting the UTC campus in its ability to reach additional goals as specified in UTC’s Strategic Plan, including a demonstrable commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Possibility of summer teaching.
• Renewable yearly contingent upon candidate’s performance and the availability of resources.

Applications must include a cover letter, a teaching statement, and a curriculum vitae, including names, title, and contact information of at least three references.

See job posting details - https://ut.taleo.net/careersection/utc_faculty/jobdetail.ftl?job=21000000CP

Komatsu shared two Manufacturing Engineering positions for their Chattanooga, TN location.

Job Overview

Design, create, and continuously improve manufacturing processes within the Chattanooga Manufacturing Operations (CMO). Support the operation with technical expertise and guidance. Create, implement, and install new methods and technology to improve the processes and their control. Create and maintain process documentation in order to facilitate a quality process. Establish standards for each process. You are responsible for planning for the implementation of the facilities, equipment, tools, and processes to effectively provide for the long, mid, and short-range plans of the CMO. Support the customer with response to technical field issues.

Key Job Responsibilities

Support our internal or external customers with process documentation, drawings, process sheets, and tooling changes to reflect engineering changes in product design, problem resolution, or other improvement. Purchase and install adequate new or improved facilities, equipment, tools, and supplies, without being wasteful. All purchases require following associated procedures. Improve the quality of the product and process by introducing new technology, methods, and practices that lead to measurable changes in quality. Plan the facility production with quantitative tools such as load tables, or other analysis tools to determine equipment loads, line balance, man/machine requirements, time studies and areas needing improvement. Reduce the costs in the operation by at least 5% per year by improving efficiency in the process, improving direct or indirect materials in the product, or other improvement. Create and maintain short, mid, and long-range planning of the manufacturing operation. Support the customer by communicating technical process information to KA service, distributors, and end users. Carefully specify all direct and indirect materials. Establish and maintain good global communication with the Komatsu world by interacting with our parent plants in Japan and other overseas operations.

Qualifications/Requirements

B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Welding, or equivalent) is required. 1-3 years of manufacturing experience is preferred. Knowledge of heavy equipment assembly, tooling, and processes is preferred. Computer skills, including a good working knowledge of all MS Office applications, are needed for this job. Experience in applying technological solutions to manufacturing a plus (Python or other programming, Access DB Creation, etc.) Engineering drawing interpretation and creation skills are needed. Ability to create CAD drawings is helpful for this job. Pro/engineer experience is a plus. You must be able to work and communicate effectively with management, fellow staff, shop workers, and outside vendors.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (life, carry, move) light to medium weights of 1-10 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read application information. The associate frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. 

These positions will be open to external candidates on February 26, 2021.  https://komatsu.jobs/job/Chattanooga-Mfg-Engineer-TN-37405/717854100/ 

https://komatsu.jobs/job/Chattanooga-Mfg-Engineer-TN-37405/715809300/

 

Job Summary:

At La-Z-Boy, a Program Manager is responsible for driving the success of New Product Development Programs and key strategic initiatives.

The person in this role will lead multi-location, cross functional teams to deliver new product introductions to market using a structured development process. The simultaneous programs may involve innovation, new product development, re-engineering, cost savings, quality improvements and strategic growth initiatives.

LinkedIn for Senior Program Launch Manager - https://jobs.jobvite.com/la-z-boy/job/obhMefwc?__jvst=Job%20Board&__jvsd=LinkedIn

LinkedIn for Program Launch Manager - https://jobs.jobvite.com/la-z-boy/job/oVhMefwW?__jvst=Job%20Board&__jvsd=LinkedIn

 

About the job

You love programming and working in the industrial automation? You are looking for a challenging position

where you can show and improve your skills daily? Join a growing company in Chattanooga, show your best in-class programming capabilities and support us as Controls Engineer!

Responsibilities (Including but not limited to the following)

• Responsible for PLC programming, debugging, and troubleshooting of new automation systems
• Set up programs from scratch; Implementation of process charts
• Assist in the development of electrical and controls system design
• Communicate and collaborate with team members, leadership and costumers
• Present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization

• Certain shift work and standby after customer take over
• Documentation and building of control program manuals
• Training of regular customer staff and maintenance crews at the customer facility Education/Training/Experience

• Degree in software or engineering (Bachelor/Technical College) or equivalent professional experience
• Preferred 2-5 years’ experience in the automotive line building industry and background with custom assembly equipment manufacturer

• Min. of 2 years of recent experience with Siemens PLCs, HMIs, and software in both Step7 classic/legacy, and TIA Portal

• Min. of 2 years’ experience with A-B Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and software
• Experience in interfacing with robotics; i.e. Fanuc, Kuka, ABB
• Experience with data tracking and handling in PLC, interfacing with other controllers
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check
• Out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected (approx. 30-40%). The ability to travel internationally is required (passport). Must have valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

if interested and qualified, please email resume to lulucopeland@gmail.com

Rhett Bentley, Director of Communications with Thrive Regional Partnership, provided this guest post after a very informative presentation.

Many thanks to the Chattanooga Engineers Club for inviting us to speak earlier this week! We really appreciated the opportunity to share our work with you and hope that you found it informative and meaningful.

Cradle of Southern Appalachia

Our presentation centered around the Cradle of Southern Appalachia initiative, a conservation blueprint for regional livability. This initiative identifies high-value conservation corridors in our region because they contain the ecosystems that sustain our human and natural communities.

To learn more about this initiative, check out this report

View the award-winning Cradle of Southern Appalachia map

Measure what you treasure using the Cradle of Southern Appalachia progress dashboard

About Thrive Regional Partnership

Thrive Regional Partnership is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire responsible growth through conversation, connection, and collaboration across the 16-county tri-state greater Chattanooga region. 

We convene stakeholders across the region to ensure that as we grow in industry, prosperity, and population, we also preserve community and natural character for generations to come. Curious about our process? Check out the How We Thrive video.

Like many organizations, 2020 looked a bit different for us. See how we advanced our mission last year in this Year in Review video.

Regarding emissions

A CEC member asked an excellent question about lowering the dependency on trucks and single driver vehicles. The conversation turned to the reduction of emissions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. These two satellite images from NASA illustrate NO2 averages in the Southeast. .The first is from March 15-April 15, 2015-2019, the second is from the same timeframe in 2020. What a difference!

Steve Poteet has been elected at 2021 President. Steve is a Senior Project Manager at HDR where he has worked for over 11 years. Previously he has 30 years of hydro and fossil power experience with TVA. Steve graduated from UTC with a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering, is a PE in multiple states, and has been a past chairman of ASME Chattanooga.

Gabe Kurtz has been elected 2021 Vice President.  Gabe is a Senior Program Manager of NERC Compliance with TVA where he has worked for over 17 years. He graduated from UTC with a BS in Electrical Engineering, earned an MBA from Tennessee Tech, and is a PE in Tennessee. Gabe serves as an EPRI Advisor and a member of Southeast American Power Dispatchers Association and is a member of IEEE. 

Dr. Richard Manning continues to serve as Treasurer.

Current officers and past presidents compose our leadership council.  (see Officers)