Strattec is committed to providing meaningful co-operative educational opportunities to engineering students of the local area.  These opportunities provide selected students in-depth learning experiences which apply academic concepts and ideas.  Students are exposed to the real working world while learning from experienced professionals active in their fields and earning academic credit for their experiences.

This program is a 4 "term" program which alternates a semester of work with an academic semester.  All 4 terms are required.  Each term is defined as follows:

TERM 1

Prototype Lab and/or Test Lab

Students may be involved in the following tasks:

• Learn how parts are made at Strattec.
• Become familiar with plant personnel and plant structure
• Work with customer and product and process specifications.
• Learn and perform validation testing of new product designs and manufacturing processes.
• Assist in Statistical Process Studies (SPC)
• Become familiar with various inspection and test equipment
• Assist with problem solving the product and processes and recommend solutions.
• Assist in design of test fixturing used in the test lab.
• Perform benchmarking studies.
• Perform test equipment measurement system analysis studies (Gage R&R).
• Participate as a cross functional team member with quality, product design, manufacturing, tool design, etc.
• Create, document, and implement work instructions for processes and equipment.

Prototype Lab

• Work with vendors to develop prototypes and rapid tooling.
• Gain knowledge of all available rapid prototype processes
• Work with internal customers to produce engineering models that meet cost and timing targets
• Coordinate assembly of test fixtures and test product
• Develop prototype models using CAD
• Assist with Design for Manufacturing

TERM 2

Process Engineering and/or Prototype Lab

Students may be involved in the following tasks:

• Learn to create detail and assembly drawings of tools, fixtures, machines and plant layouts both AutoCAD and manual drawing methods
• Conduct Design of Experiments; design trials, collect data, summarize data, recommend and implement solutions.
• Learn to use a variety of software programs.
• Participate in the cost estimation of tooling, machinery and manufacturing processes.
• Learn to function as a team with members of quality, product design, manufacturing, tool design, and sales.
• Perform engineering calculations using knowledge learned in college courses.
• Learn how to organize, design, summarize and recommend Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
• Facilitate and implement new and modified assembly equipment by creating set-up and operator instructions, control plans and layouts.
• Gain general knowledge of in house manufacturing processes, die cast, stamping, and machine shop operations
• Develop understanding of SPC fundamentals and their application
• Improve communication skills both verbal and written
• If aptitude is shown , lead one “Cap Stone” project to be presented on at end of term

TERM 3

Product Design Engineering

Students will spend approximately one semester working in the Product

Design Engineering Department.

• Learn how to organize, design, summarize, and recommend Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA).
• Develop test plans to validate designs.
• Deal directly with customers and vendors, may involve travel
• Perform tolerance stack-up analysis of new and existing components.
• Investigate potential new materials for components.
• Design and development of new products.
• Perform theoretical calculations (strength) to ensure that designs meet customer requirements.
• Coordinate test plans with the test lab and prototype development

between engineering, CNC room, and the model shop

• Write Engineering Change Order (ECO’s), Engineering Change Requests (ECR’s) and other support documentation.
• Investigate design improvements to help part quality, cost or processing

TERM 4

Student Option

Students will be allowed to determine which area he/she would like to work in for their fourth and final work term. The students may choose from the Quality Department, Manufacturing Engineering Department, or Product Design Engineering Department.

• Qualified, actively enrolled, and in good standing in an engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical or industrial) bachelor degree program.
• Students must be enrolled in a credit course covering the co-op experience for the term(s) they work.
• Engineering students will be expected to commit to work no less than four terms.
• Students will conduct themselves in a professional manner and follow all Strattec Security salaried associates work rules.
• Students will work 40 hours per week, per semester, alternating with a semester of coursework.
• Each student will present a summary of their experiences to the organization at the end of each term.

Strattec is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, and age.