Process Engineer

Process Engineer
Position Summary / Essential Function
The Process Engineer supports manufacturing operations by developing, improving, and maintaining reliable production processes that achieve established safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives. The essential function of the position is to apply engineering principles and hands-on manufacturing knowledge to improve process capability, equipment performance, product quality, throughput, and operational consistency.
The Process Engineer works closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to identify production constraints and recurring issues; develop practical solutions; establish and improve manufacturing methods and standards; support new products and equipment; and drive continuous improvement initiatives from problem identification through sustained implementation.
Key Responsibilities

Develop, evaluate, document, and improve manufacturing processes, methods, tooling, equipment, and work instructions.
Maintain an active presence on the production floor to understand operating conditions, identify opportunities, troubleshoot problems, and support production employees and supervisors.
Analyze production performance, including cycle time, scrap, downtime, yield, throughput, and process capability, to identify improvement opportunities and prioritize engineering efforts.
Lead structured problem-solving and root cause analysis for recurring quality, equipment, and production issues; develop and implement effective corrective actions.
Optimize machine settings, tooling, process parameters, material flow, and operating methods to improve productivity, quality, reliability, and consistency.
Support stranders, closers, and other machining operations, including evaluation of machine capability, tooling, feeds and speeds, setups, cycle times, and process performance.
Partner with Operations and Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, and identify opportunities for equipment modification or replacement.
Develop and maintain standard work, process specifications, setup documentation, control plans, work instructions, and other manufacturing documentation.
Support the introduction of new products, processes, tooling, and equipment, including process development, trials, validation, production readiness, and transition to normal operations.
Design or recommend tooling, fixtures, gauges, and other production aids as needed to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
Apply Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to reduce waste, improve flow, simplify processes, and increase manufacturing capacity.
Use production and quality data to establish baselines, evaluate process performance, validate improvements, and ensure changes produce sustained results.
Participate in capital equipment evaluation, justification, installation, commissioning, and optimization.
Work collaboratively with production employees and supervisors to ensure engineering solutions are practical, understood, and successfully implemented on the manufacturing floor.
Provide technical support and training to production personnel regarding manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, and process changes.
Ensure process changes and engineering activities comply with applicable safety, quality, customer, and Company requirements.
Perform other related duties and improvement projects as assigned.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
3+ years of process, manufacturing, or production engineering experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
Experience supporting machining or other equipment-intensive manufacturing processes strongly preferred.
Machining experience preferred, including familiarity with machine setup, tooling, process parameters, cycle-time optimization, and troubleshooting.
Experience working directly with production employees, supervisors, maintenance personnel, and other technical functions in a hands-on manufacturing environment preferred.
Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methods preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, process control, and production workflow.
Ability to diagnose manufacturing problems using observation, data, technical knowledge, and structured problem-solving.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to understand machine operation, tooling, drawings, specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
Ability to analyze production data and translate findings into practical improvements.
Working knowledge of process capability, statistical process control (SPC), root cause analysis, and corrective action methods.
Ability to manage improvement projects from identification and planning through implementation and follow-up.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with both production employees and technical or management personnel.
Ability to balance hands-on troubleshooting and immediate production support with longer-term process improvement priorities.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with CAD, ERP/MRP, CNC programming, or manufacturing data systems is beneficial.

Physical / Work Environment Requirements

Regular presence in a manufacturing environment is required.
Ability to spend extended periods standing and walking on the production floor.
Ability to safely work around operating machinery and manufacturing equipment.
Must be able to comply with all required personal protective equipment and safety requirements.
Occasional lifting, bending, reaching, or other physical activity associated with evaluating equipment, tooling, and manufacturing processes may be required.