Lead Process Engineer, CNC Gear Cutting & Grinding

Reliance Gear Corporation; Elmhurst (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Reliance Gear Corporation in Elmhurst, IL, seeks a Lead Process Engineer to guide the process engineering team and stay hands-on with CNC programs, tooling, and data-driven optimization. You will drive efficiency, quality, and cost control across gear operations.

The role requires gear process engineering experience, strong analytical skills, and a track record in CI. This on-site position offers competitive pay and benefits aligned with the gear manufacturing sector.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent background.
• Direct experience in gear process engineering or precision gear manufacturing.
• Fluency in CNC programming, GD&T, gear cutting/grinding, gear inspection, and heat-treatment effects.
• History of developing processes, selecting tooling, and driving CI.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills; excellent communicator.
• Quotation experience is a plus.
• Exceptional documentation accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Mentor process engineers; coordinate project priorities, technical reviews, and deadlines.
• Create/optimize routings, process plans, tooling specifications, and CNC code for gear operations.
• Use gear inspection data and SPC to troubleshoot and improve processes.
• Partner with Production, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve technical issues and protect schedules.
• Lead continuous improvement to cut scrap, boost throughput, extend tooling life, and manage cost.
• Maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, work instructions, and SPC documentation.
• Ensure compliance with AGMA, ISO 9001, AS9100, and customer specs.
• Assist with quotations; assess, implement, and validate capital equipment.

Skills

CNC programming

GD&T

gear cutting

gear grinding

gear inspection

heat-treatment effects

Six Sigma

Aerospace manufacturing

Problem solving

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Eng

Tools

ERP Software

Job description

Build best-in-class gear manufacturing with Reliance Gear

Reliance Gear Corporation delivers precision gears to customers with exacting engineering and quality demands. Join us as the Lead Process Engineer to guide our process engineering team while staying deep in CNC programs, tooling, and data-driven optimization.

What you'll impact

• Manufacturing efficiency, yield, and throughput across hobbing, shaping, and grinding
• Product quality and process capability via metrology-driven improvements
• Cost control through smart tooling strategies and robust routings
• On-time delivery through cross-functional collaboration

Core responsibilities

• Mentor process engineers; coordinate project priorities, technical reviews, and deadlines.
• Create/optimize routings, process plans, tooling specifications, and CNC code for gear operations.
• Use gear inspection data and SPC to troubleshoot and improve processes.
• Partner with Production, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve technical issues and protect schedules.
• Lead continuous improvement to cut scrap, boost throughput, extend tooling life, and manage cost.
• Maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, work instructions, and SPC documentation.
• Ensure compliance with AGMA, ISO 9001, AS9100, and customer specs.
• Assist with quotations; assess, implement, and validate capital equipment.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent background.
• Direct experience in gear process engineering or precision gear manufacturing.
• Fluency in CNC programming, GD&T, gear cutting/grinding, gear inspection, and heat-treatment effects.
• History of developing processes, selecting tooling, and driving CI.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills; excellent communicator.
• Quotation experience is a plus.
• Exceptional documentation accuracy and attention to detail.

Pay and benefits

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000

• Health insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental and Life Insurance
• Retirement: 401(k) plan
• Paid time off: Vacation, PTO, 10 Paid Holidays

Tech you'll use

• ERP Software

You should be proficient in

• Bachelor's Degree
• Troubleshooting Skills
• CNC Programming
• Process Engineering
• Six Sigma Experience
• Aerospace Manufacturing

Compliance & eligibility

• ITAR/EAR: This role may require U.S. Person status (as defined by federal export regulations) or licensing that permits employment in this position.
• Employment practices follow all applicable regulations and verifications.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship to obtain or keep U.S. work authorization.

Compliance Notice: Reliance Gear is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment practices. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, or any other legally protected status. This position is subject to employment eligibility verification under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and may require background check in accordance with Illinois law. All records and practices are maintained in compliance with HIPAA, FMLA, OSHA, and other relevant regulations.