Paint & Body SERP Engineer

Story so far

Since we started our journey to build a no nonsense 4X4, we've come a long way. We've established INEOS Automotive as a serious contender in 4X4 development and manufacturing. We've partnered with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry. We've made our way from vision to prototype. We've secured a world-class production facility and delivery team. We've delivered Grenadiers to customers all around the world. We're building our double cab pick up, the Quartermaster.

INEOS Automotive - Built For More

Since we started our journey to build a no nonsense 4X4, we've come a long way. We've established INEOS Automotive as a serious contender in 4X4 development and manufacturing. We've partnered with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry. We've made our way from vision to prototype. We've secured a world-class production facility and delivery team. We've delivered Grenadiers to customers all around the world. We're building our double cab pick up, the Quartermaster.

People and Culture

Easy never changed anything. Not in manufacturing, science, engineering or energy - and certainly not elite sport. At INEOS we tackle every challenge head-on, and we help extraordinary athletes achieve extraordinary things. When it comes to making positive change, we know nothing gets done without grit, rigor and humor. Our Automotive team consist of around 1500 employees, 10 locations and 44 nationalities, we're an international team working together to challenge the ordinary.

Your role:

Working closely with the wider commercial team and alongside the aftersales team, the SERP Engineer will be responsible for the assessment and development of programme design proposals to ensure Aftersales Serviceability requirements are met. The SERP engineer will represent the Aftersales team and the wider commercial business as the “voice of the customer” at all stages of the product lifecycle – from early in the product Design and Development phase, throughout all significant production gateways and continuing into aftersales operations and until end of vehicle life.

Using a combination of digital and physical evaluation, the SERP engineer will be responsible for feasibility assessments on product design proposals, repair procedures and engineering change requests, identifying opportunities to improve customer satisfaction through efficiency of repair and minimisation of maintenance, as well as the identification and management of internal opportunities such as warranty spend reduction.

Working with several external and internal stakeholders, the position will be vital in ensuring customer brand confidence is maintained through robust design for service and keeping vehicle off road time to a minimum.

This role will also work extremely closely with our workshop partners & technicians to review repairs, offer direct digital assistance, and contribute to growing the capability of the department within the wider Ineos Automotive business.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Paint and Body Specialist

• Assist in the creation of the INEOS Body Repair Operating Standards.


• Identify and appoint an Aftersales approved paint refinishing material supplier.


• Assist other departments such as Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) on their Body in White (BIW) repair strategy for modified vehicles.


• Identify and approve tooling for:


• Spot and seam welding


• Structural repairs


• Smart repairs


• Riveting


• Compliant Products. Identify products used in manufacturing and equivalents for Aftersales.


• Developing the approved repairer network. Appoint and audit repairers.


• Identify and appoint a damage assessment estimating platform provider.


• Assist in the requirements and development of body repair training courses.


• Liaise with Insurance Companies on vehicle repairability and insurance group ratings.


• Provide information where required for vehicle crash testing (Thatcham, MIRA, TUV, Euro NCAP).


• Monitor BIW Engineering Change Request and Orders (ECR/ECO) for changes affecting Aftersales and feedback these to key stakeholders.


• Deal with any BIW repair issues from all markets.


• Product Investigation on BIW components.


• Supplier Management. Managing relationships with key partners.


• Work with the Aftersales Parts Manager on the service level of parts and release to markets.

SERP

• Representing the Aftersales team to develop Body in White (BIW) service assembly breakdown and availability for current and future model lines.


• Ensuring ongoing development of BIW service assemblies, outer panel service cut strategies for current and future model lines.


• Developing Joining methodology used in manufacturing and transferability to Aftersales including and meeting all testing requirements.


• Develop warranty paint refinishing scope for full and partial panels on current and future models.


• Identify where the manufacturing framing process could be modified to assist Aftersales in repairing vehicles with minimal component removal.


• Identify Chassis component replacement on current and future models and discuss the feasibility with Engineering.


• Review created body repair procedures before final engineering sign off.


• Develop a terminology database (E.g., SAE standards).


• Identify and feedback potential BIW design issues and promote a design for service ethos. Work closely with the Technical Services Manager to develop a robust “design for service” evaluation process to highlight and resolve serviceability issues with product design proposals


• Represent the Aftersales team in all product development and engineering forums, such as Engineering change process and packaging reviews


• This role will ensure that the Customer remains at the centre of all the aspects required


• Control digital evaluation of product design proposals ensuring all aftersales requirements are met prior to sign off


• Manage tooling and ergonomic feasibility assessments on repair procedures, standard workshop tooling & special tooling


• Digitally assess packaging and access of serviceable components using travel path analysis to identify any potential serviceability issue or opportunities


• Work closely with the technical support helpdesk, providing evaluation reports on repair procedures and SRO times as requested


• Review Technical Service publications, training & support documents and packages, and highlight areas of improvement or enhancement


• Work directly with the technical publications team to ensure accuracy of the removal and repair instructions within the workshop manuals and technical bulletins


• Work closely with the Aftersales Commercial Manager conducting digital evaluation of repair procedures as required to identify if opportunity exists to reduce labour times of high cost-to-business warranty repairs


• Perform physical evaluation of repair procedures on prototype vehicles


• In accordance with internal processes, monitor and steer the development of appropriate solutions to serviceability issues in line with SLA’s and programme timing


• Manages the liaison with engineering, product development and company quality continuously by joining cross divisional collaborative teams


• Provide accurate reporting on SERPs topics to managers & senior managers in various business units such as Programme Management, Engineering and Company Quality


• Contribute to team meetings and reviews providing constructive criticism to enhance performance


• Take part in operational reviews and offer experience-based perspective for internal process paths

What we are looking for:

• Significant (8-10 years) experience as a SERP engineer is required. It is preferable for the right candidate to have experience or knowledge of modern Mechanical, Electrical and B&P repair process’s


• Qualification or significant experience with CAD tools is essential


• Proven vehicle diagnosis and repair knowledge, knowledge of vehicle systems, workshop practices and an understanding of the latest vehicle technologies is essential


• IT literacy and the ability to present to all levels of the business using multiple IT tools


• Very strong drive for continuous improvement – a Kaizen mentality


• Ability to work in both office and field-based teams with a customer focused repair & service excellence approach


• Customer (internal & external) service skills, which include relationship building across departments and functions


• Travel, both national and international will be required periodically