Manufacturing Process Engineer

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Engineering is seeking a Manufacturing Process Engineer to join the client’s aerospace/defense manufacturing environment in Wood Dale, Illinois. The role focuses on developing and standardizing manufacturing processes, solving production issues, and supporting new product introductions to ensure regulatory and customer requirements are met.

You will work with Engineering, Production, Quality and other teams to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase throughput while controlling

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Process/Manufacturing Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
• Experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T.
• Understanding of manufacturing process controls and quality systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage projects and work across Engineering, Production, and Quality teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and MS Office.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, work instructions, and SOPs.
• Review drawings, specifications, GD&T, and customer requirements to determine manufacturing methods.
• Create and update routings, process flows, and labor standards.
• Support new product introductions, including process development, tooling needs, production readiness, and validation.
• Improve processes to reduce cycle times, improve quality, increase throughput, and reduce scrap.
• Troubleshoot production and process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and support processes involving CNC punching, laser cutting, press brake forming, hardware insertion, welding, assembly, finishing and coating.
• Partner with Quality to ensure processes meet AS9100, ISO, and customer requirements.
• Support First Article Inspection activities and AS9102.
• Assist with fixture, tooling, workstation, and production-method improvements.
• Perform root cause analysis using 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, FMEA, SPC, and Lean/Six Sigma methods.
• Monitor process performance, production metrics, scrap, and other data to identify improvements.
• Support audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and process training to production personnel.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

ERP/MRP systems

MS Office Suite

Job description

Process Engineer - Manufacturing | Wood Dale, Illinois

Targeted salary range: $90,000 - $115,000

Kelly Engineering is seeking a Manufacturing Process Engineer to join our client's company to support the manufacturing of complex precision sheet metal components and assemblies used in aerospace, defense, and other highly regulated applications.

This role will focus on improving and standardizing manufacturing processes, solving production issues, supporting new product introductions, and ensuring processes meet quality, customer, and regulatory requirements. You will work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support successful production.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing processes, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, GD&T, and customer requirements to determine effective manufacturing methods.
• Create and update manufacturing routings, process flows, and labor standards.
• Support new product introductions, including process development, tooling needs, production readiness, and process validation.
• Improve manufacturing processes to reduce cycle times, improve quality, increase throughput, and reduce scrap.
• Troubleshoot production and process issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and support manufacturing processes involving:
• CNC punching
• Laser cutting
• Press brake forming
• Hardware insertion
• Welding
• Mechanical assembly
• Metal finishing and coating
• Partner with Quality to ensure manufacturing processes meet AS9100, ISO, customer, and other applicable quality requirements.
• Support First Article Inspection activities and AS9102 requirements.
• Assist with the design and improvement of fixtures, tooling, workstations, and production methods.
• Perform root cause analysis using tools such as 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto analysis, FMEA, SPC, and other Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Monitor process performance, production metrics, scrap, and other operational data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support internal, customer, and external audits.
• Provide technical guidance and process training to production personnel.
• Participate in customer and supplier quality and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or military manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 and AS9102.
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering
• 3+ years of Process Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, and GD&T.
• Understanding of manufacturing process controls and quality systems.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements in a production environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage projects and work effectively across Engineering, Production, and Quality teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting First Article Inspections.
• Experience with ERP or MRP systems.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification, such as Green Belt.
• Understanding of CNC programming concepts.
• Experience with manufacturing automation.
• Familiarity with NADCAP-controlled processes.
• Knowledge of welding, mechanical assembly, metal finishing, or coating operations.

Physical requirements

• Ability to work between office and manufacturing floor environments.
• Ability to walk and stand throughout a production facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, move, and access manufacturing areas as needed.

Client provides a fully comprehensive benefits package.

All applicants applying for this job opening must be legally authorized to work in the United States and are required to have US residency at the time of application. OPT or H1B Visa is not being accepted at this time.