Lead Process Engineer

Ashton North; Bellefontaine (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Relocation assistance

401K

Holidays

Vacation

Job summary

Ashton North in Bellefontaine, OH seeks a hands-on Lead Process Engineer to co-lead the engineering team. You will oversee KPI improvements, plan execution, and new technology implementation while reporting to an Engineering Leader.

Expect 50% floor time and collaboration with global sites on top manufacturing initiatives. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, process controls, and laser focus on root-cause resolution to ensure quality and efficiency gains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a mechanical/manufacturing field or related discipline is required.
• Minimum of five years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Understanding of process controls (PFMEA preferred).
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives (scrap reduction, efficiency gains, downtime elimination).
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage timelines and budgets.
• Basic 2D/3D modeling.
• Mechanical aptitude with comfort on the shop floor.
• MS Office, especially Excel, is required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate globally with sister sites to share best practices.
• Track and drive KPIs and production numbers.
• Lead CI projects, budgets and timelines with 2–6 concurrent initiatives.
• Perform capability and capacity analyses biannually.
• Spend up to 50% of time on the manufacturing floor for hands-on engineering tasks.
• Assist new model engineering with startup prep, tooling readiness, and line modifications.
• Optimize line layouts and assist CAD design of fixtures and gauges.
• Train associates on production standards and procedures.
• Investigate quality issues to identify root causes and countermeasures.
• Complete additional engineering assignments as required.

Skills

Process controls understanding

PFMEA

Continuous improvement

Project management

2D/3D modeling

Mechanical aptitude

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CAD (2D/3D)

Excel

Job description

Lead Process Engineer

Bellefontaine, OH

Competitive base salary and benefits plus bonus potential!

Co-lead your department alongside a veteran team in a stable, innovation-driven culture offering true engineering autonomy, robust benefits, and rare manufacturing flexibility (45-hour weeks and customizable starts).

Strategic Operational Alliance

Co-lead your department with an experienced Engineering Manager and a top-tier Production Manager within a highly collaborative, team-oriented culture.

Unrivaled Flexibility

Achieve true professional harmony with a flexible morning arrival (6:00--8:00 AM), an average 45-hour week, and minimal weekend obligations---a rarity in production environments.

Driven by Improvement

Join a secure organization dedicated to process innovation, where you will have the autonomy to spearhead meaningful engineering upgrades.

Security & Comprehensive Rewards

Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a tenured executive team and an extensive benefits package tailored for long-term family support.

Manufacturer is seeking a Lead Process Engineer to work in their engineering team. The Lead Process Engineer will be responsible for overseeing an assigned area related to best practices, KPI improvements, plan execution and new technology industrialization. Daily you will report to an Engineering Leader. Responsibilities will include:

• Collaborate Globally: Partner with sister sites to support top manufacturing initiatives and share best practices.
• Track KPIs: Oversee, analyze, and drive production numbers and key performance indicators.
• Drive CI Projects: Spearhead continuous improvement by managing budgets, timelines, group CI, and 2--6 individual CI projects at any given time.
• Analyze Capacity: Perform biannual capability and capacity analyses for your designated area.
• Troubleshoot & Support: Spend up to 50% of your time on the manufacturing floor focused on engineering tasks and daily mechanical troubleshooting of equipment/processes.
• Prepare for New Models: Assist the new model engineering team with startup preparation, tooling readiness, and line modifications.
• Optimize Layouts & CAD: Improve line layouts and utilize 2D/3D software to conceptualize and design specialized fixtures and gauges.
• Train & Educate: Educate associates on standard production, quality, and engineering procedures.
• Solve Quality Issues: Bridge the gap between operations and quality to determine root causes and implement effective countermeasures.
• Flexible Support: Complete additional engineering assignments as required.

This is a hands-on position that requires qualified candidates to be on the manufacturing floor up to 50% of their day. Candidates should be able to manage their own projects while offering guidance to junior engineers, be flexible with their work requirements, and have good written and verbal communication. Individuals should have excellent floor communication skills and be able to effectively communicate with executives, peers and frontline associates.

Medical benefits are available the first of the month after 30 days of employment. Holidays, vacation, relocation assistance, 401K and annual bonus!

Requirements

• 1. Bachelor's degree; preferred majors include mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technologies, industrial technologies or manufacturing technologies
• 2. At least five years of similar manufacturing engineering experience
• 3. A general understanding of process controls, ideally PFMEA
• 4. Experience focused on continuous improvement initiatives, including scrap reduction, efficiency improvement, elimination of downtime, etc.
• 5. Project management skills, including overseeing timelines and budgets
• 6. Basic 2D and 3D modeling
• 7. Mechanical aptitude
• 8. Microsoft Office, specifically Excel

Skills preferred but NOT required

• 1. Automotive manufacturing work experience
• 2. Capital equipment projects
• 3. Exposure to Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies
• 4. New model launch
• 5. Strong data analysis skills
• 6. Tooling
• 7. Power BI
• 8. Supervision of others

Why work for this organization

• New capital equipment projects have been completed at the plant
• Diverse business mix (Honda, Toyota, Ford and other OEMs)
• Supply truck, car, van and EV markets
• Competitive benefits package and bonus structure
• Opportunity for advancement at the plant or corporate level (you don't have to relocate to promote into corporate positions)
• Good work/life balance, with minimal Saturdays (when you do work a Saturday, you will get a comp day!)

Candidates are preferred to be local to the Bellefontaine, Ohio area. There is a competitive relocation program available for candidates who meet all of the requirements.

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