Manufacturing Process Engineer - Plastics

Radiometer; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a Danaher company, seeks a Process Engineer to optimize plastics manufacturing processes and lead continuous improvement initiatives on site in Indianapolis, IN.

You will troubleshoot issues, manage projects, and partner with maintenance, quality, and suppliers to ensure high OEE and reliable operation of molding and automation systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 3+ years in manufacturing engineering or plastics processing.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, 5-Why, Fishbone, DOE, SPC and FMEA.
• Experience with manufacturing automation, process controls, data collection, and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize injection molding, blow molding, automation, and secondary processes to improve safety, quality, and cost.
• Lead root cause investigations for defects, deviations, and customer complaints.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

Statistical analysis

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

MES

SCADA

ERP

Data analytics software

Job description

Bring more to life. Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology? At Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact– innovating at the speed of life. At Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, we know time is the most critical facet in the laboratory today: time to get life‑saving therapies to patients faster; reclaiming time by automating tedious manual workflows; and saving time spent addressing erroneous or complex results. We are partners in time and accelerate answers to critical questions through the power of automation. We develop innovations for scientists by scientists, with many of our 3,300+ global colleagues coming from the laboratory. It’s all part of our time-tested approach to bringing meaningful innovations at the speed of life since 1935. And we’re just beginning. Working together, let’s put our time and talents together to advance human health for tomorrow. Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

The Process Engineer supports the operations, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams by driving process optimization, troubleshooting manufacturing issues, improving equipment and process performance, and leading continuous improvement initiatives across plastics manufacturing operations. This role is intended for individuals with a strong understanding of plastics manufacturing processes, automation systems, data analysis, and problem‑solving methodologies who can effectively lead technical projects in a fast‑paced, complex production environment.

This position reports to the Plastics Engineering Manager and is part of the Plastics Manufacturing Engineering Team located in Indianapolis, IN and will be an on‑site role.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop, optimize, and sustain injection molding, blow molding, automation, and secondary manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, tooling, material, and automation‑related issues using structured problem‑solving methodologies, while leveraging manufacturing data and statistical analysis tools to improve process capability, reduce scrap, increase yield, and maximize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead root cause investigations for quality defects, process deviations, equipment‑related issues, and customer complaints.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational excellence efforts focused on cycle time reduction, waste elimination, labor efficiency, capacity expansion, and cost reduction.
• Support the full lifecycle of manufacturing equipment and processes, including validation, qualification, installation, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, quality, supply chain, equipment suppliers, mold manufacturers, and automation integrators to establish process standards, support new product introductions and engineering changes, and ensure long‑term manufacturing performance and reliability.

The essential requirements of the job include:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Process, Industrial, Plastics, or related field) with 3+ years of manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or plastics processing experience, including demonstrated success troubleshooting and optimizing manufacturing processes in a high‑volume production environment.
• Strong understanding of process engineering principles, statistical analysis, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5-Why, Fishbone Analysis, DOE, SPC, and FMEA, with the ability to analyze complex technical problems and implement practical, data‑driven solutions.
• Experience working with manufacturing automation, process controls, data collection systems, and industrial equipment, combined with strong project management, organizational, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills to effectively manage multiple priorities and drive business results.

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements: Ability to lift, move or carry equipment up to 50 lbs, any other physical requirements.

Experience, it would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Experience with plastics manufacturing processes, including injection molding, blow molding, mold qualification, automation systems, robotics, vision inspection systems, and material handling systems.
• Experience supporting regulated manufacturing environments through process validation, IQ/OQ/PQ execution, equipment qualification, CAPA investigations, nonconformance investigations, and the use of MES, SCADA, ERP, industrial networking, data analytics, and statistical software tools.
• Demonstrated success leading OEE improvement initiatives, process capability studies, cycle time optimization, scrap reduction, cost savings projects, equipment installations, automation integration, manufacturing expansions, and new product introductions.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info.

Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The U.S. EEO posters are available here.

We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact: 1-202-419-7762 or [e-mail].

Danaher is a leading global life sciences, biotechnology, and diagnostics innovator, helping to solve many of the world’s most important health challenges, ultimately improving quality of life for billions of people today, while setting the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow.

The Danaher ecosystem is made up of more than 15 businesses united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.

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Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology.

We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.