Industrial Process Engineer

kaisercareers; Bellwood (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Aluminum Bellwood is seeking an Industrial Process Engineer to analyze, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes for throughput, quality, and cost efficiency in our aluminum extrusion and drawing team. You will partner with production, maintenance, and quality, lead kaizen and Six Sigma initiatives, and train staff on updated processes and SOPs.

This role requires a BS in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering, 2–5 years' experience, and proficiency with Lean/Six Sigma,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role.
• Experience in aluminum extrusion and aluminum reduction drawing is a plus.
• Proficiency in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for throughput, efficiency, and cost reduction.
• Design, develop, and implement new or modified process flows, layouts, and equipment configurations.
• Conduct time studies, root cause analysis, and process mapping to support capacity modelling and lean initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to implement process control plans and SOPs.
• Leverage data analytics to extract insights for data-driven decisions and automation integration.
• Monitor process performance and drive corrective actions.
• Lead or assist in kaizen events and Six Sigma projects.
• Train production staff on updated processes and equipment.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Kaiser Aluminum Bellwood Virginia is seeking an Industrial Process Engineer to join our aluminum extrusion and drawing team and have responsibility for analyzing, developing, and optimizing manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. This role partners with cross-functional teams, including production, maintenance, and quality to implement continuous improvement initiatives and ensure that all processes meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.

We currently are not considering candidates on H1B, F-1, STEM OPT or OPT visas.

What you will work on:

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for improvement in throughput, efficiency, cost reduction.
• Design, develop, and implement new or modified process flows, layouts, and equipment configurations.
• Conduct time studies, root cause analysis, and process mapping to support capacity modelling and lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to implement process control plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Leverage expertise to extract valuable insights from complex data sets, enabling data-driven decision-making across the organization.
• Monitor process performance and use data analytics to drive decisions and recommend corrective actions and support the integration of automation, new technologies, and capital equipment projects.
• Ensure all processes comply with internal quality standards, environmental regulations, and safety protocols.
• Lead or assist in kaizen events, Six Sigma projects, and other continuous improvement efforts.
• Train production staff on updated processes and equipment as needed.
• Document process improvements and maintain process engineering records.

What you will bring to the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Two to five (2–5) years of experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role (depending on level).
• Experience in aluminum extrusion and aluminum reduction drawing an asset.
• Proficiency in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of industrial systems, manufacturing equipment, and production workflows.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, process flow diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Microsoft Office, and ERP systems.
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g., food, pharma, aerospace, automotive) is a plus.

About Kaiser Aluminum:

Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing a diverse and inclusive culture. We are strongly committed to expanding inclusion, equity, and diversity – how we hire, develop, and inspire our diverse team members that reflects and relates to the increasingly multicultural community.

No third-party candidate submissions are being accepted at this time for this opening