Lead Process Engineer

MJ Recruiters; Bellefontaine (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Holidays and vacation

Relocation assistance

401K

Annual bonus

Job summary

MJ Recruiters is seeking a Lead Process Engineer for a hands-on role on the plant floor, reporting to an Engineering Leader. You will oversee KPI-driven improvements, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and collaborate with senior peers to optimize manufacturing processes.

The position requires engineering expertise and strong leadership in a team-focused environment. You will work 50% on the factory floor, manage multiple CI projects, and contribute to line layout optimization and new

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related manufacturing field.
• Minimum five years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• Understanding of process controls and PFMEA preferred.
• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives including scrap and downtime reduction.
• Strong project management across timelines and budgets.
• Proficiency with 2D/3D modeling tools.
• Mechanical aptitude and strong analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate globally with sister sites to share best practices.
• Track and drive KPIs to improve production performance.
• Lead CI projects, managing budgets, timelines, and multiple initiatives.
• Analyze capacity and biannual capability for designated area.
• Spend up to 50% on the manufacturing floor for troubleshooting and mentoring.
• Assist new model engineering with startup prep and tooling readiness.
• Optimize layouts and use CAD tools for fixtures and gauges.
• Educate associates on production, quality, and engineering procedures.
• Address quality issues and implement countermeasures.
• Take on additional engineering assignments as needed.

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or manufacturing technologies

Tools

CAD (2D/3D)

Excel

Job description

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 for the Lead Process Engineer:

• 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
• 3. Exposure to Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies
• 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!)