Plant Engineer – Blow Molding, Automation & Reliability

CKS Packaging, Inc; Naugatuck (CT); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

CKS Packaging, Inc in Naugatuck, CT is seeking an experienced Plant Engineer to improve reliability, efficiency, safety, and performance of plant equipment and processes.

You will collaborate with Plant Management, Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Process Technicians to troubleshoot issues, support capital projects, reduce downtime and scrap, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across blow molding operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering preferred
• 3–5+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Plastic manufacturing or blow molding experience strongly preferred
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, electrical controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, motors and drives, automation systems, chillers and compressors
• Experience with capital projects and equipment installations
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and equipment reliability

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for daily manufacturing operations
• Troubleshoot equipment, process, and production issues and develop long-term corrective actions
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, production efficiency, safety, and operating costs
• Evaluate plant equipment and recommend upgrades, modifications, or replacement
• Support installation, startup, commissioning, and qualification of new equipment
• Maintain plant engineering documentation, equipment specifications, drawings, and operating standards
• Develop and maintain equipment and process improvement plans
• Support and optimize blow molding processes
• Work with Process Technicians and Maintenance to improve machine performance and reduce downtime
• Troubleshoot blow molding equipment, molds, auxiliaries, and material-handling systems
• Analyze cycle times, scrap, downtime, throughput, and OEE
• Assist with process optimization and establishing standard operating parameters
• Identify opportunities to improve machine speeds, cycle times, material usage, and product consistency
• Support new mold, tooling, equipment, and product trials
• Help establish and maintain standard operating procedures and process documentation
• Lead or support PLC, HMI, and industrial control systems troubleshooting
• Assist Maintenance with electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation issues
• Review machine controls and recommend improvements or upgrades
• Work with Maintenance and outside vendors on controls and automation projects
• Support integration of new automation and production technologies
• Partner with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime
• Identify chronic equipment failures and lead root-cause analysis
• Develop and improve preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
• Assist with critical spare parts identification and equipment documentation
• Support reliability initiatives involving motors, drives, pumps, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, compressors, chillers, and auxiliary equipment
• Provide engineering support for plant utilities and infrastructure: Compressed air systems, chilled water systems, electrical systems, water systems, HVAC, material handling systems, auxiliary equipment
• Assist with facility improvement and expansion projects.
• Lead or support capital improvement projects from concept through installation and startup
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and equipment specifications
• Coordinate contractors, vendors, and internal departments
• Support equipment commissioning and employee training following project completion
• Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Use data and root-cause analysis to identify opportunities for improvement
• Reduce scrap, downtime, labor costs, energy consumption, and production bottlenecks
• Develop and implement SOPs

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root-cause analysis

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen

Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

PLCs

HMIs

Automation systems

Chillers

Compressors

Pneumatics

Job description

CKS Packaging, Inc in Naugatuck, CT is seeking an experienced Plant Engineer to improve reliability, efficiency, safety, and performance of plant equipment and processes.

You will collaborate with Plant Management, Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Process Technicians to troubleshoot issues, support capital projects, reduce downtime and scrap, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across blow molding operations.