3rd Shift Mold Technician

January 15, 2025

Strom Minnesota is currently looking for a 3rd Shift Mold Technician 7:pm-7:am M-W for our client in the SW Metro.  $25-$30 an hr. depending on qualifications.

The majority of the work is done in an injection molding pressroom setting.  Mold Techs are expected to cover other shifts when necessary.  Heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time is required.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Core Competencies

• Sets/Changes molds and/or auxiliary equipment, trouble shoot, and cycle in presses in accordance with the set up instruction sheet to produce plastic components to customer specifications.
• Perform insert changes on injection molds.
• Create maintenance and toolroom work orders as needed in the company’s IQMS ERP system.
• Evaluate the accuracy of existing process sheets and set up instructions and document process and/or set up instruction changes or, if necessary, create a new process sheet or set up instruction.
• Correct quality and cycle time deviations in an expeditious manner.
• Provides accurate and timely notes daily in the IQMS IQ log throughout the shift. Notes should include: when a press is started and recycled, press or process issues, how the process or press was fixed, quality concerns, and operator performance concerns, etc.
• Completes all necessary paperwork in a timely manner (i.e. set-up sheet, material handling sheet).
• Demonstrates a familiarity with how to operate all pressroom equipment as well as troubleshooting equipment when problems arise
• Purge material from presses.
• Fill, empty and clean hoppers.
• Dry and maintain plastic resins to Bill of Material guidelines.
• Grind runners and scrap parts; empty and clean grinders.
• Label all materials and return materials and related paperwork to designated area.
• Assist in the training and starting up of the press operators.
• Assist in the counting of production products at the end of the shift as necessary.
• Assist in the sampling of new and/or revised tools and equipment.
• Must understand and accurately utilize the company’s IQMS ERP system.
• Must be able to accurately use counting scales.
• Must have a working knowledge of the OTP quality assurance system
• Complete forklift operator training and participate in forklift operator evaluations every 3 years.
• Complete IQMS Log Notes training.
• Complete all required training and attend any mandatory meetings.

Soft Skills

• Work together with the quality assurance department to ensure the highest quality standards.
• Promote and maintain good business relationships with customers, vendors and co-workers.
• Assist in providing press operators with breaks as required.
• Watch for unsafe conditions and enforce safety requirements.
• Recommend and help to implement processes to improve quality of components, to improve efficiencies, and to minimize scrap.
• Be accountable for the timely and efficient completion of projects.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience with setting up and cycling in of plastic injection molds.
• Must be technically sound and hands-on in troubleshooting the injection molding processes and equipment.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions and to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Be able to move between job functions in an efficient and well prioritized manner.
• Demonstrate essential trouble shooting and problem solving skills along with strong judgment capabilities.
• Be able to demonstrate a familiarity of how to operate all pressroom equipment.
• Must possess the ability to work independently and as a team member to achieve common goals
• Familiarity with ISO 13485 medical a plus.
• Scientific molding/RJG a plus.

OTHER

• This job description should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements and responsibilities.  Individuals are to perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or to equalize peak work periods.
• When filling in for this position on a temporary basis, ISO procedural training will not be required outside of the employment approved job description.

 

Maintenance Technician-Plastics

January 1, 2025

Strom Minnesota is currently looking for a Maintenance Technican for our client in Little Canada, MN.  This is a 1st shift opportunity.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Team members in this role will be expected to contribute to maintaining a high-quality work environment.  This position supports the Quality Management System by following the work rules outlined in the Team Member Handbook, working cooperatively and effectively with others in the organization, sharing information to enable others to do their jobs, and displaying good customer service to our internal and external customers consistent with our values.

Responsible for making all necessary adjustments, minor repairs and changeovers to equipment and the manufacturing process to achieve acceptable product quality and production standards for assigned machines.

Responsible for the safe, proper, installation, set-up and maintenance of production machines & equipment that support production demands.  This includes performing electrical and mechanical repairs, fabrications, and installation of equipment.  Completes assigned duties in a timely manner to support and improve the manufacturing process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Includes the following for essential work assignments required of the role, as well as other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to meet business needs.

1. Responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining the operational readiness of industrial production and processing machinery and equipment.  Have the practical application of mechanics to the design, construction, or operation of machines and tools.
2. Evaluates parts for defects (i.e., breakage and excessive wear) repairs and replaces broken, defective, or malfunctioning components of machinery and equipment.
3. Responsible for analyzing test results, machine error messages, and information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems and decide what to do about it.
4. Maintains knowledge of the safe and proper start-up, shutdown and operation of all process, production, support, and auxiliary equipment up to achieving acceptable production rates and product specifications as established by leadership.
5. Perform setups and changeovers of production equipment based on established standards to the point that acceptable product is obtained at the direction of leadership.
6. Responsible for reassembling equipment after completion of repairs, including the inspection, and testing of repairs following all safety protocols.  Operate newly repaired machinery and equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
7. Responsible for testing the operations of machinery and equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters and other testing devices.
8. Perform Maintenance and repairs of production equipment in a manner that generates the highest level of production and quality to meet customer demands.  Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
9. Performs routine preventive maintenance to ensure that machines continue to run smoothly, building systems operate efficiently, and the physical condition of buildings does not deteriorate.
10. Performs routine inspections of machines and finished parts using rules, calipers, micrometers, and other measuring instruments.
11. Cuts and welds metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, and assemble new equipment.
12. Aligns, cleans, lubricates, and adjust parts, equipment, and machinery.
13. Utilizes blueprints, manufacturers’ manuals, and process guides to determine correct installation and operation of machinery.
14. Responsible for the installation of new equipment, including equipment and process modifications in an acceptable manner as assigned.
15. Supports other production team members by performing maintenance on machines in a timely manner.
16. Responsible for contributing to ways that continually improve the overall plant operations.  Understand the implication of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making.
17. Work with all other departments in a way that promotes teamwork throughout the organization to achieve company goals.
18. Be a leader in promoting and following all safety and GMP policies and procedures. Look for ways to continually improve the overall plant operations.
19. Perform duties assigned by the Maintenance Leader in an acceptable manner.
20. Fills out necessary paperwork completely and on a timely basis.
21. Follow all policies and procedures as outlined in the employee handbook.

Decisions Making: Decisions that this role is solely responsible for and only checked periodically.

1. Routine fix or repair decisions
2. Routine adjustments and minor repairs to equipment to meet machine efficiency goals.
3. Best solution repair/fabrication decisions
4. Needs to be able to prioritize assignments to best support production.

Personal Characteristics: The behaviors and traits of the person that leverage the skills and abilities.

1. Willing to ask questions
2. Can figure out “peel away” to get to information
3. Structured thinking
4. Able to work with minimal supervision.
5. Self-motivated.
6. Time management: Manage one’s time to meet flat rate times.
7. Strong communication skills, written and oral.

Qualification/Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. High school diploma or GED with over 5 years related experience in a machine shop/manufacturing environment, preferably in the plastics industry preferred.
2. Ability to manage and complete multiple tasks.
3. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, in a friendly and professional manner, both in person and over the paging system, in an effective manner.  Ability to identify problems and draw valid conclusions. 
4. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, picture, oral, diagram or schedule form.  Ability to identify problems, root causes and proper solutions in the manufacturing process.
5. Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.  It does involve solving the problem.
6. Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
7. Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
8. Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures).
9. Ability to apply concepts such as basic mathematics to solve problems: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.  Convert measuring units from standard to metric and vice versa.)
10. Ability to read and prepare routine reports and interpret various documents and correspondence. 
11. Computer experience with the Internet, Microsoft Windows software, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel and e-mail (Microsoft Outlook).
12. Metal working, mechanical, basic machinist and trouble shooting skills.
13. Experience in hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical skills preferred.

 

 

Electronic Technician-$25-$33 an hour.

December 28, 2024

Strom Minnesota is currently looking for an Electronic Technician for our client in Fridley, MN.  This position pays between $25-$33 an hour based on qualifications.

Job Summary:

This position reports to our Module Assembly and Test Department and the responsibilities include troubleshooting electronic systems, performing soldering of Printed Circuit Board components, conducting routine engineering tests and detailed experimental testing, updating software and firmware, writing and updating test procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform calibration checks on electronic instruments.
• Troubleshoot an electronic system to determine root causes and remedies for malfunctions.
• Perform soldering/re-soldering/re-flowing of Printed Circuit Board components.
• Observe and examine equipment during testing to detect specific issues, such as loose/missing parts, solder bridges, shorts, etc.
• Observe and test PCB’s following repair and make any repair adjustments as necessary.
• Comply with process standards, such as recording repair work performed on work orders and maintaining clean and organized workspaces.
• Collaborate with team members on technical requirements within and across repairs and projects.
• Write and update test procedures.
• Update software and firmware as needed.
• Work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Conduct routine engineering tests and detailed experimental testing, solving mechanical or electronics problems involved in the operation of the product.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Associates degree in Electronics or related field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.   
• 3 years relevant experience testing and troubleshooting PCB’s to the component level.
• Requires knowledge of oscilloscopes, DVM’s, spectrum analyzers, and other test equipment.
• Requires superior analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be hardworking, enthusiastic, honest, trustworthy, and reliable.
• Ability to lift and move up to 60lbs, utilizing appropriate equipment and safety techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4 – 5 years’ equivalent experience testing and troubleshooting PCB’s to the component level.
• IPC-7711C/7721C Endorsement Program.

Associates degree in Electronics or related Field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered for level 2. Level 2 requires 3 years relevant experience. Level 3 requires 5 years of experience. Requires knowledge of Oscilloscopes, DVM’s, spectrum analyzers and troubleshooting PCBs down to the component level.

Electro-Mechanical Technician

December 17, 2024

Strom Minnesota is currently looking for an experienced Electro-Mechanical Technician for our client in the north metro.  This position offers a flexible 1st shift schedule and starting pay rate of between $41-$45 dollars an hour based on qualifications.

The Electro-Mechanical Technician maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs CNC machines in a timely manner to limit machine downtime. This job demands a broad technical knowledge of electromechanical principles and good working knowledge of manufacturing machines and processes.

• Moves and rearranges equipment.
• Disassembles, maintains, and repairs systems of equipment such as power supplies, monitors, scaling devices, servomechanisms as well as the mechanical components they supply.
• Aligns machine axis and machine systems.
• Lays out, assembles, installs, and maintains plumbing, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric systems. 
• Repairs and replaces machine components.
• Repairs and maintains the physical structure of the establishment.
• Diagnoses machine problems through sound, vibration, and behavior, and discusses operation variations to diagnose problems or repair machines.
• Requisitions materials to accomplish responsibilities.
• Repairs electronic and electromechanical control equipment associated with automated machine tools and servomechanisms.
• Observes machine operations to determine the nature of the operating problems.
• Uses appropriate test instruments to diagnose and test the trouble and the reason for malfunction and make needed repairs.
• Replaces, adjusts, and calibrates components to align control apparatus to operating specifications.
• Works closely with and coordinates procedures with engineers and mechanics on the installation of new equipment and modifications of equipment to suit needs and applications.
• Uses special testing equipment to test circuitry and components.
• Works from complicated drawings, diagrams, and specifications involving electrics, mechanics, and electronics.
• Creates electrical circuits for special needs or purposes.
• Designs, installs, and programs logic devices.
• Communicates with vendors and machine builders.
• Collaborates with others, is open-minded, responsive, and supportive of others’ efforts to succeed.
• Demonstrates integrity by being dependable, having good judgment, being honest, and taking responsibility for their actions.
• Respectful of others, encouraging others to share their ideas, actively listening to others, and having common courtesy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Trade school training and/or a degree in a mechanical or electrical-related field with emphasis on CNC Machines required.
• Five years of experience in a similar role required.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work on projects alone or with others on a team. 
• Reading proficiency, some writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Arithmetically proficient with the ability to do algebra and trigonometry is highly preferred.
• Mechanical and deductive reasoning skills required.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and stooping. 
• Use of hand to finger. 
• Frequently lift, move, push, and pull up to 60 pounds.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Noise level is moderate.
• Occasional exposure to fumes or airborne particles.

Pay, Work Schedule, & Benefits:

• Rich benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, PTO, Paid Holidays, and More!
• Retirement 401(k) plan with employer match and profit-sharing plan 
• Award-winning Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement