HM COE Engineer

North American Stainless; Ghent (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

North American Stainless in Ghent, KY, seeks a CoE Engineer to bridge operations strategy and shop-floor execution, emphasizing SPC, RCA, and the Casting the Future framework to reduce variability.

You will design systems used by operators and maintenance to achieve world-class manufacturing standards, with on-floor audits and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role emphasizes analytical rigor, data integrity, and technical ownership across metallurgy, quality, and operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4-year technical degree from an approved university.
• Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• ERP experience with SAP/NetSuite/AS400 preferred.
• Supervisory experience required.
• One year experience in an industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Stabilize processes and define critical parameter controls.
• Own SPC charts and analyze trends to prevent drift.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to align asset health with throughput.
• Translate Casting the Future design elements into Standard Work Instructions.
• Design SIC triggers and metrics for real-time floor response.
• Provide on-floor technical audits and Active Management.
• Assist with 6S, Safety, and Autonomous Maintenance checks.

Skills

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Supervisory skills

Industrial environment experience

Education

BS/BA

Tools

SAP

NetSuite

AS400

Job description

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

The CoE Engineer serves as the technical backbone of the Centers of Excellence, bridging the gap between high-level operational strategy and shop-floor execution. Reporting to Operations, this role is responsible for the technical stabilization, data integrity, and continuous improvement of production processes. Unlike a traditional supervisor, the CoE Engineer focuses on the "mechanics" of excellence-utilizing Statistical Process Control (SPC), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and the "Casting the Future" framework to eliminate variability. They act as the subject matter expert (SME) who designs the systems that operators and maintenance teams use to achieve world-class manufacturing standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Process Stabilization & Control Engineering
   1. Technical Control: Define and tighten critical process parameters to reduce variance and ensure "First Time Right" production.
   2. SPC Ownership: Develop and maintain Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts; analyze trends to preemptively identify drifts before they result in defects.
   3. Workflow Integration: Partner with Maintenance to optimize the Work Management System, ensuring technical asset health aligns with operational throughput requirements.
2. Systemic Design & "Casting the Future" Implementation
   1. Standard Work Design: Translate "Casting the Future" design elements into actionable Standard Work Instructions (SWIs) and technical role profiles.
   2. Short Interval Control (SIC): Design and calibrate the SIC triggers and metrics that allow the floor to react in real-time to process deviations.
   3. Routine Architecture: Technical oversight of "Perfect Day/Week" routines, ensuring the data captured is accurate and driving the intended performance outcomes.
3. Technical Training & Knowledge Transfer
   1. Floor Presence: Provide technical audits and "Active Management" on the floor to verify that the physical process matches the engineering intent.
4. Compliance & System Integrity
   1. Validation: Audit the technical completion of 6S, Safety, and Autonomous Maintenance (AM) checks to ensure the equipment is operating within its designed centerlines.
   2. Gap Analysis: Evaluate technical deviations and provide engineered solutions to prevent recurrence.
5. Product Processing & Continuous Improvement (CI)
   1. CI Execution: Assist with the technical phase of Continuous Improvement projects, focusing on throughput optimization and waste reduction.
   2. Defect Troubleshooting: Assist in investigations of persistent quality defects, utilizing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to move beyond symptoms to systemic fixes.
   3. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the technical liaison between Metallurgy, Quality, and Operations to implement cross-departmental solutions.
6. Technology and Innovation
   1. Technical Support: Provide specialized metallurgical expertise to support new product trials and process innovations.
   2. Failure Analysis: Assist with deep-spane investigations into operational failures, using data-driven tools to implement sustainable, engineered corrective actions.

SUPPLEMENTAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Other duties as assigned
2. Participation in relevant continuous improvement programs.
3. Has freedom of contact throughout the company on Operations and Maintenance Engineering activities, particularly with Engineering, Operations and Maintenance Personnel.
4. Externally, interfaces with equipment manufacturers and vendors concerning engineering data, performance specifications, on new installations and existing equipment.
5. Assists with creating, updating, TPM Playbook

MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

1. Minimum of a 4-year Technical Degree from approved University/College. (BS/BA)
2. Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
3. Experience with ERP systems like SAP, NetSuite, AS400, preferred.
4. Supervisory skills required.
5. One year experience needed in Industrial Environment.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Mobility in plant
• While performing the duties of (this job), the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, etc.
• The employee is frequently required to make use of their hands for technical tasks
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Visual ability with or without correction
• Communication abilities

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations
• Follow Company safety rules
• Report the absence of or defect in any protective equipment or clothing to the Supervisor or Manager immediately
• Use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that is required to be used or worn:
  • a. Safety shoes
  • b. Safety glasses
  • c. Hearing protection
  • d. Hard Hat
  • e. High-Vis Clothing
  • f. Respirators; the respirator requires you to be clean shaven in order to comply with company policies and procedures as well as OSHA Regulations.
  • g. Fire Retardant clothing
  • h. Acid PPE
• Report to the Safety Coordinator, Group Lead or Supervisor any contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations or Company policy
• Must follow all Lock out Tag out (LOTO) guidelines for designated machines
• Must follow all Environmental Policies and Regulations
• Maintain a clean and safe work area.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations
2. Clean, well-ventilated and safe work areas.

HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Abiding by the Acerinox Code of Conduct
2. Keeping oneself informed through your company email account
3. Maintaining your Dynamic Policy Profile and all assigned learnings therein
4. Abiding by all security procedures
5. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills
6. Must be able to learn, adapt, and retain information
7. Must have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills