Process Engineer

Placon Corporation; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Elkhart, Indiana, is seeking a Process Engineer responsible for new product development, capital equipment project support, process control, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Materials, or Mechanical Engineering, with strong technical skills in polymer materials and manufacturing methods. Key responsibilities include enhancing production efficiency using Lean and Six Sigma tools and troubleshooting operational issues. A collaborative environment focused on maximizing profitability is provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required for the Process Engineer role.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Understanding of statistical analysis techniques required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for new product development and support of capital equipment projects.
• Design and execute plans to qualify new products and materials.
• Utilize Lean and Six Sigma tools for continuous improvement.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communications skills

Technical competency in polymer materials, processing and test methods

Knowledge of modern manufacturing methods including Lean and Six Sigma

Problem solving/troubleshooting

Project management skills

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical or similar degree

Tools

Computer

Oracle

Microsoft Office suite

Measurement instruments

Job description

Working in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) environment, the Process Engineer is responsible for four primary functions: 1) new product development, 2) support of capital equipment projects, 3) process control and troubleshooting, and 4) continuous improvement. With advanced knowledge of the process and equipment, the Process Engineer collaborates with the New Product Development and production teams to create and maintain reliable manufacturing processes to maximize company profitability.

Essential Accountabilities

• Devise and execute plans to qualify new products and materials that demonstrate process capability.
• Support capital equipment expenditures by becoming an onsite expert of the process and equipment, creating necessary work instructions and documentation, and training production personnel.
• Improve production efficiency by analyzing trends in process control parameters and working with production and maintenance personnel to troubleshoot issues.
• Utilize techniques, including Lean and Six Sigma tools, to identify continuous improvement opportunities that will reduce process variability and inefficiencies, and develop solutions that yield quantifiable results.
• Collect and analyze data and effectively communicate recommendations through formal presentation.
• Coordinate with planning and design staffs concerning product design and tooling to ensure deadlines are met.
• Construct and maintain documents such as item specifications and technical data sheets.
• Establish and review product standards for material, labor and equipment.
• Retain understanding of ISO quality system as it relates to process establishment and development.
• Write proposals for capital expenditures and obtain approval.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical or similar degree.

Desired Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Aptitude in cross-functional teamwork to complete projects
• Self-accountability, time management and detail-oriented
• Technical competency in polymer materials, processing and test methods
• Understanding of statistical analysis techniques as it relates to process control and capability
• Problem solving/troubleshooting – ability to identify a problem, develop and execute tasks to resolve the issue and present the results
• Experience in a manufacturing environment with knowledge of machine components and equipment
• Ability to learn and utilize computer software including ERP and QMS systems
• Knowledge of modern manufacturing methods including Lean and Six Sigma
• Project management – create project plans which include milestones and detailed action item lists, identify risks and track and report project performance

Position Requirements

Work Environment Conditions:

Indoors: Office and Manufacturing environment (Good Manufacturing Practices/American Institute of Bakers certified manufacturing environment, ISO 9001 certified, ISO 8 clean room)

Equipment/Tools Used

Computer, cell phone, copy machine, industrial machinery including extruders thermoformers and trim presses, hand tools, measurement instruments, Oracle, InfinityQS, and Microsoft Office suite.

Physical Requirements

• Normal Office – Sit at desk for long periods of time
• Light Work (lift up to 10 lbs) regularly – hand tools and boxes of product
• Medium Work (lift 11-30 lbs.) regularly – boxes of product
• Heavy Work (lift 31-50 lbs.) occasionally – pallets

Other Physical Requirements: Bending, stooping, climbing, reaching, twisting, standing for long periods of time and ability to travel by air and car. Mental Requirements: Reading, writing, calculating, interpersonal skills, reasoning/analysis, works with minimal supervision.

Travel Frequency (in Addition To Seminars Or Related Training)

• Local: 4 times/year
• Regional: 4 times/year
• National: 2 times/year
• International: 1 time/year