Printing Press Process Engineer

Nationwide Technical Search; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits

Relocation Assistance Available

Onsite

Job summary

Nationwide Technical Search is seeking a Printing Press Process Engineer for our Little Rock, AR site. This onsite role offers a permanent/direct-hire path with full benefits and relocation assistance.

Salary ranges from $100,000 to $120,000 annually, with relocation support available. You will optimize web offset processes, manage UV curing systems, and help troubleshoot issues like ghosting and misregistration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Printing Technology, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3-7+ years in high-speed web offset lithographic printing, ideally within packaging or folding carton manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with UV-curable ink systems, web handling, color management (spectrophotometry), and low-migration food packaging standards.

Responsibilities

• Optimize web offset processes, including plate/blanket performance, ink-water balance, and web tension.
• Manage UV curing systems (lamp intensity, profiles, adhesion) and lead the potential transition to LED UV.
• Provide hands-on support to press operators to resolve ghosting, misting, registration drift, and curing defects.
• Maintain print standards (density, dot gain, LAB targets) using Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Ensure strict adherence to ISO, FDA/EU food safety standards, and HSE regulations.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma projects to improve OEE, reduce start-up waste/spoilage, and lower energy usage.
• Collaborate with Prepress on plate imaging/color profiling, assist Maintenance with UV system upkeep, and support new product development.

Skills

Strong analytical troubleshooter

Clear communicator across shifts

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Printing Technology

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Print inspection systems

Color measurement tools

ERP/MES software

Lean/Six Sigma methodologies

Job description

Printing Press Process Engineer

Little Rock, AR

Onsite

Permanent/Direct Hire

Full Benefits

Relocation Assistance Available

$100,000-120,000

Key Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Press Control: Optimize web offset processes, including plate/blanket performance, ink-water balance, and web tension.
• UV Curing: Manage UV curing systems (lamp intensity, profiles, adhesion) and lead the potential transition to LED UV.
• Troubleshooting: Provide hands-on support to press operators to resolve ghosting, misting, registration drift, and curing defects.

Quality, Ink Management & Compliance

• Ink Chemistry: Manage UV ink rheology, coatings, and formulations; collaborate with suppliers on low-migration, food-safe inks.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain print standards (density, dot gain, LAB targets) using Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to ISO, FDA/EU food safety standards, and HSE regulations.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Lean/Six Sigma: Lead projects to improve OEE, reduce start-up waste/spoilage, and lower energy usage.
• Cross-Functional Support: Partner with Prepress on plate imaging/color profiling, assist Maintenance with UV system upkeep, and support new product development.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Printing Technology, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3-7+ years in high-speed web offset lithographic printing, ideally within packaging or folding carton manufacturing.
• Must-Have Tech Expertise: Hands-on experience with UV-curable ink systems, web handling, color management (spectrophotometry), and low-migration food packaging standards.

Tools & Soft Skills

• Systems: Print inspection systems, color measurement tools, ERP/MES software, and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.
• Traits: Strong analytical troubleshooter, clear communicator across shifts, and detail-oriented.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Print waste and spoilage reduction
• OEE and press uptime
• Color consistency (Delta E) and reduction in customer complaints
• UV curing efficiency and defect rates