Location: Multi-site Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and El Paso, Texas.
Process Engineer
General Purpose of the Position
Design, analyze, optimize, and control production processes to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and operating costs while ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory standards.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related field.
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical, Food Engineering, or related disciplines.
- Continuous Improvement tools: 5S, Basic Kaizen, Initial Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and Basic Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA/FMEA).
- Root Cause Analysis (RCA) tools: Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagram, 5 Whys, and Pareto Analysis.
- Statistical tools: Basic Statistical Process Control (SPC), Advanced Microsoft Excel, and Essential-level Minitab.
- Data analysis tools: Advanced Microsoft Excel, Basic Power BI, and Introductory SQL.
- Engineering tools: Basic AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Visio.
- Project methodology tools: Basic PMI principles, Introductory Agile methodologies, and SIPOC mapping.
- Food quality and food safety tools: HACCP, GMP, CCP/CPP documentation forms, and quality inspection checklists.
- Technical documentation tools: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), process records, and basic change control documentation.
- Food manufacturing systems: MES (user level), Basic SCADA/HMI systems, and data loggers.
- Food process analysis tools: pH meters, basic water activity (Aw) meters, digital thermometers, and basic QA/QC laboratory equipment.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, process flow diagrams, and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
- Experience with ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle.
- Knowledge of ISO standards, HACCP, GMP, and other quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Languages
- English proficiency is preferred.
Experience
Preferred
- Minimum of 1 year of experience in Process Engineering within industrial manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting production process optimization, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational data analysis.
- Participation in projects involving implementation of new technologies, equipment, or production lines.
Desired
- Practical knowledge of quality, safety, and food safety systems, including ISO 9001, HACCP, GMP, and related standards.
- Experience within food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods (CPG) environments.
Key Functions
- Design, analyze, and improve production processes to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure product quality.
- Document operational processes, including flowcharts, work instructions, and critical process parameters.
- Conduct time and motion studies, line balancing, and capacity analyses.
- Implement continuous improvement tools and methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, and SMED.
- Collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Safety departments to ensure robust and sustainable processes.
- Monitor operational KPIs and propose corrective and preventive actions.
- Validate new products, equipment, and processes prior to production release.
- Train operations personnel on new processes, technical changes, and best practices.
Responsibilities
- Design and document manufacturing processes, including process flow diagrams, work instructions, and operating parameters.
- Analyze production data to identify opportunities for improving efficiency, quality, throughput, and waste reduction.
- Implement process improvements using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
- Support root cause investigations and corrective action implementation for process deviations.
- Validate new processes, equipment, or products, ensuring effective integration into operations.
- Collaborate with Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Safety teams to maintain robust and sustainable manufacturing processes.
- Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, efficiency, scrap, cycle times, downtime, and quality performance.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including SOPs, process records, and change control documentation.
- Train operational personnel on new processes, technical modifications, and industry best practices.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations, including quality, safety, and food safety requirements.
Authority
- Propose minor process parameter adjustments within approved operating limits.
- Recommend improvements to work methods under the guidance of the Senior Process Engineer or Area Leader.
- Execute, monitor, and document pilot trials approved by management.
- Report process deviations, safety concerns, or critical issues immediately.
- Generate technical reports and recommendations for escalation to senior engineering staff or management.
- Participate in the development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Recommend process improvements based on production floor observations and data analysis.
- Request support from Quality, Maintenance, or other departments when deviations are identified.
- Provide technical data to support process change validations and formulation modifications.
- Assist in collecting documentation and evidence required for internal and external audits.