Electroplating Process Engineer

Positronic Industries, Inc.; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost health insurance

Quarterly bonus program

4% 401k match

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

Positronic Industries, Inc. is seeking a Process Engineer to optimize and maintain electroplating processes ensuring high-quality finishes on metal components.

The role requires foundations in chemical/electrical/mechanical engineering, materials science, statistics, or related fields, along with experience in chemistry basics, process troubleshooting, and lab procedures. The successful candidate will collaborate with R&D, quality control, and production to support new product introductions and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 1 to 2 years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Improve electroplating processes for various metals (nickel, gold, silver, chrome, zinc, copper).
• Optimized electroless plating processes to improve coating uniformity, reduce chemical consumption, and enhance overall process efficiency and product quality.
• Conduct root cause analysis and resolve plating defects such as blistering, poor adhesion, thickness, roughness, or discoloration.
• Perform routine analytical testing (pH, conductivity, metal concentration, etc.) and adjust chemical compositions accordingly.
• Develop and implement SOPs and plating process documentation.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations related to chemical handling and waste disposal for any newly developed process.
• Collaborate with R&D, quality control, and production teams to support new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Specify and help maintain plating equipment, rectifiers, tanks, filters, and agitation systems.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, new technologies, and emerging surface treatment techniques.
• Uphold Positronic’s standards of integrity, quality, and operational excellence.
• Identify hazards in the workplace and report them to management and/or the safety coordinator.
• Collaborate with the EHS department to meet local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, including OSHA, NFPA, DNR, EPA, and Amphenol sustainability practices.
• Work with the Quality department to ensure compliance with AS9100 certification standards.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Electroplating

Process optimization

Root cause analysis

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Chemical Engineering degree

Tools

SPC tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Job Description

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

You can reviewa downloadable copy of our Protected Veterans and Individuals With a Disability below.

Founded in 1966, Positronic is a progressive, global company that builds premium power and signal connectors for several industries, including medical, aerospace and military. We are located across three continents, and are looking for highly motivated, passionate people to join our team! We offer an e xcellent benefit package, highlighted by low-cost health insurance, quarterly bonus program and a 4% employee-match 401k retirement plan. Discover more at https://www.connectpositronic.com/en/

Summary

The Process Engineer will be responsible for the optimization, maintenance, and any new development of electroplating processes, ensuring high-quality surface finishes on a variety of metal components. This role requires a foundation in chemical/electrical/mechanical engineering, materials science, statistics, or a related field, as well as a foundational knowledge of chemistry, process troubleshooting, and laboratory procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Improve electroplating processes for various metals (e.g., nickel, gold, silver, chrome, zinc, copper).
• Optimized electroless plating processes to improve coating uniformity, reduce chemical consumption, and enhance overall process efficiency and product quality.
• Conduct root cause analysis and resolve plating defects such as blistering, poor adhesion, thickness, roughness, or discoloration.
• Perform routine analytical testing (pH, conductivity, metal concentration, etc.) and adjust chemical compositions accordingly.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and plating process documentation.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations related to chemical handling and waste disposal for any newly developed process.
• Collaborate with R&D, quality control, and production teams to support new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Specify and help maintain plating equipment, rectifiers, tanks, filters, and agitation systems.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, new technologies, and emerging surface treatment techniques.
• Uphold Positronic’s standards of integrity, quality, and operational excellence.
• Identify hazards in the workplace and report them to management and/or the safety coordinator.
• Collaborate with the EHS department to meet local, state, and federal regulatory requirements, including OSHA, NFPA, DNR, EPA, and Amphenol sustainability practices.
• Work with the Quality department to ensure compliance with AS9100 certification standards.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 1 to 2 years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical

• Long periods of sitting with occasional standing and walking.
• May require bending, kneeling, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional lifting up to 20 lbs; rarely up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent computer use and repetitive motion.
• PPE includes safety glasses and gloves when handling chemicals.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a chemical lab environment with frequent exposure to fumes. Involves small parts handling under magnification. Proper PPE is required.

Knowledge

• Understanding of electroplating chemistry, process engineering, and quality systems.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 standards, SPC tools, and root cause analysis.
• Understanding of manufacturing scheduling and cost control.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in industrial chemical operations.

Skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Skilled in data-driven process evaluation and training implementation.
• Effective communicator across technical and non-technical teams.
• Prefered leadership and team development abilities.

Abilities

• Leadership and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong reasoning skills and attention to process variability.
• Visual and oral communication clarity for training and coaching.

POSITRONIC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE COMPANY DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS "AT-WILL." THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

Due to the nature of our business, the candidate must be able to legally work in the United States; we are unable to provide sponsorship. Position requires candidate to be a U.S. person as defined in ITAR, 22 CFR 120.15 (U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien Status) and defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (20).

Positronic Industries participates in the United States Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is a web-based employment eligibility verification system for newly hired employees operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.