Process Controls Engineer

FXI; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

FXI is looking for a Process Controls Engineer in Fort Wayne, IN, to enhance process stability and efficiency in manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Electrical Engineering and at least 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment. Responsibilities include monitoring and optimizing manufacturing processes, collaborating with operators, and implementing control strategies.

The role involves practical engagement on the production floor, a focus on safety, and continuous improvement initiatives. FXI offers a collaborative working environment dedicated to innovation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience in process controls and project management.

Responsibilities

• Improve and maintain process stability, consistency, and performance.
• Engage with operators to gather feedback on process performance.
• Develop and optimize control strategies to enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Skills

Degree in Electrical Engineering

3+ years of engineering experience

Experience in process controls support

Computer literacy

Experience with AutoCAD

Analytical skills

Experience with chemical handling systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Title: Process Controls Engineer

Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Job Type: On-Site

Reporting to: Lead Process Engineer

Director Reports: N/A

Company Overview

FXI is a leading producer of foam innovation in Bedding, Furniture, Industrial, Home & Office, Healthcare, and Transportation markets. We have made it our mission to provide tailored solutions that delight our customers and consumers. With our corporate headquarters, high‑tech research and development facility, and multiple manufacturing locations in North America, FXI has built a culture of innovation and achievement that is recognized by customers, suppliers and peers. Our products include finished goods, sub‑assemblies, services, and raw materials for OEMs, fabricators, and retailers. You will find FXI's foam innovations inside, around, and under yourself in countless applications. Everywhere foam goes, FXI's innovations lead the way! Won't you join us?

Site Overview

Our Fort Wayne facility is a union manufacturing plant with approximately 155 employees operating on three shifts. The site is a pouring and specialized post processing operation. Capabilities include pouring, fabricating, felting, reticulation (2 styles) and block. As a key location within FXI's manufacturing network, the Fort Wayne plant is known for its strong focus on quality, safety, and operational excellence. Team members work in a collaborative, supportive environment where continuous improvement and innovation play a central role.

Job Overview

The Process Controls Engineer is responsible for improving and maintaining process stability, consistency, and performance across manufacturing operations. This role focuses on monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing process variables (e.g., temperature, pressure, speed, thickness) through control strategies, data analysis, and automation improvements.

This position requires a strong presence on the production floor. The engineer must actively engage with operators, observe equipment and workflows in real‑time, and develop a deep understanding of the process. Success in this role depends on the ability to translate operator feedback and hands‑on observations into practical improvements that enhance safety, efficiency, and ease of operation.

The ideal candidate brings a positive, team‑oriented attitude and a strong work ethic, with the ability to collaborate effectively across operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to drive meaningful process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain an active presence on the production floor to observe processes, equipment behavior, and operator workflows in real time
• Engage directly with production associates to understand challenges, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for improvement
• Translate hands‑on observations and operator input into actionable process and control improvements
• Identify and implement solutions that improve operator safety, reduce complexity, and increase overall efficiency
• Build strong working relationships with operations by demonstrating responsiveness, respect, and a collaborative, team‑first mindset
• Develop, implement, and optimize control strategies to improve process stability and performance
• Tune and maintain PID control loops and advanced control schemes
• Analyze process data to identify sources of variation, inefficiency, and scrap
• Support troubleshooting of process‑related issues and drive root cause analysis
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and maintenance on automation and instrumentation improvements
• Evaluate and implement upgrades to control systems (e.g., PLCs, HMIs, drives, sensors)
• Standardize process control methodologies and documentation
• Provide technical guidance and training to operators and technicians
• Provide design, cost estimation, and implementation of a wide variety of projects that are intended to expand manufacturing capabilities, improve manufacturing operations, quality, safety and reduce costs of production
• Work with technical team to manage project design documentation including panel design drawings, bills of material, conduit and wiring schedules, point‑to‑point and I/O wiring diagrams and power distribution drawings
• Provide field supervision of in‑house personnel, outside contractors and integrators during design, implementation and commissioning phases of projects to ensure that they are completed on time and on budget
• Responsible for ensuring that all electrical projects under your control are in compliance with the FXI Corporate Electrical standards and all recognized electrical codes such as OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, NEC, IEEE, and local electrical codes
• Understanding of codes especially UL‑508A, NFPA‑70E and NEC article 209

Skills / Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, EET, Computer Science or other engineering disciplines
• 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing setting
• Experience in an industrial environment with process controls support, project design, project management and installation responsibilities
• Computer literacy with standard MS Office software including MS Project a plus
• Experience with AutoCAD preferred
• Knowledge of power distribution system a plus
• Ability to apply analytical skills in process troubleshooting and diagnostics
• Experience with chemical handling systems and/or power transmission equipment is a plus
• Formal project management training is not required but would be considered a plus
• Familiarity with SAP as it relates to project management documentation and tracking is a definite plus

Experience with the following equipment and software

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Networking and HMI systems on continuous production lines
• Allen Bradley PLCs: Control Logix 5000, SLC‑500 and PLC‑5
• Allen Bradley drives 525 and Power flex 700 series
• Networking using Ethernet, PanelView Plus, Wonderware and Ignition

Total Rewards

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic and optional life insurance
• Short and longterm disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Tuition assistance
• Flexible spending accounts

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce

FXI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FXI does not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or based on any individual's membership in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We support workplace diversity. We strongly believe that diversity contributes to a broader collective perspective that will consistently lead to a better company and better products. We are working hard to increase the diversity of our team wherever we can.