Hardware Component Specialist

We are looking for a Hardware Component Specialist to join our team in Toronto.

The successful candidate will be responsible for sustaining component engineering governance, processes, tools and activities at the highest level. The component engineering (CE) domain includes Electrical/Electronic/Electromechanical (EEE) components, mechanical components, and computer & networking equipment. These components are used in Hitachi Rail signaling equipment for both product and customer specific applications. The Hardware Component Specialist must demonstrate and utilize technical skills that include all aspects of component research, understand product development, production, and aftermarket support requirements in order to help the hardware designer select appropriate components that meet the technical requirements, minimize component costs, second source availability, while minimizing risk associated with component obsolescence management. Tasks will include development of component requirements, parts selection, and alternate parts analysis, address obsolescence issues, environmental considerations, and work closely with Hardware Design Engineering, Supply Chain, and Contract Manufacturers.

Key Requirements:

• Development and training of employees who have joined the Component Engineering organization on the processes, tools and principles of component engineering
• Provide component-level expertise to Design Engineering with new and existing part selection
• Vet new part requests for life cycle, market availability, cost effectiveness, quality, reliability, environment compliance and Railway applicability
• Encourage standardization by finding and recommending reuse of existing parts on new projects
• Investigate multiple sourcing options
• Recommend Preferred Manufacturer List (PML) parts on new designs
• Identify and flag long-term problem parts
• Verify components meet company product HSE requirements such as RoHS and REACh
• Components database maintenance including verification of new component data entry
• Generate and oversee document and datasheet preparation including non-standard part approvals
• Support component cost reduction initiatives
• Provide inventory reduction support through consolidation of duplicate parts and participating in periodic inventory reviews
• Participate in preliminary and production BOM reviews
• Deep-dive analysis on non-direct (not FFF) potential replacement parts
• Evaluate technical feasibility of newly requested manufacturers and coordinate business feasibility with Supply Chain
• Support as needed the coordination of component failure investigations with Manufacturers and Design Engineering
• Address and resolve component related questions from Contract Manufacturers
• Provide technical input for the support of internal Quality Alerts related to component issues
• Student intern training and mentoring
• Support as needed component obsolescence management activities such as identification and implementation of substitute FFF components, raise Engineering Change Requests to advise projects of obsolescence when non-FFF’s components can be identified

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, Technical degree, or equivalent in Electrical Engineering
• Electronics Technologist degree or equivalent as a minimum.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, technical diploma or equivalent, in Electrical Engineering
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years’ experience in a High Reliability environment is mandatory as a Component Engineer or Electronic Hardware Designer
• Technical competence in Electrical/Electronic/Electromechanical (EEE) parts is a must
• Must have a crystal clear and demonstrated understanding of Form/Fit/Function (FFF) equivalence as it relates to multiple-source component integrity vs. application acceptability
• Comfortable in assessing and recommending mechanical components
• Computer and networking equipment familiarity is a plus to support obsolescence management of COTS
• Current knowledge of RoHS, REACh, and an awareness of other international environmental standards and regulations related to electronic components and assemblies is a must
• Good communication skills, both written and oral, is a must
• Confident in defending technical arguments
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Excel is a minimum
• Experience with 3rd party component databases, such as IHS, is a plus
• SAP experience is a plus
• Familiarity with PLM systems like Windchill is a plus
• Computer and networking equipment familiarity is a plus to support the selection of and obsolescence management of this equipment

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience with 3rd party component databases, such as IHS is a plus.
• SAP experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with PLM systems like Windchill is a plus