Process Engineer

GCS Recruitment; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Part time

Job summary

GCS Recruitment seeks a hands-on Process Engineer to support pilot-line and new product development for advanced manufacturing. You will run prototype systems, collect critical data, troubleshoot equipment, and help refine processes before full-scale production.

This development-focused role emphasizes observations, testing, and feedback to optimize manufacturing and equipment design in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on technician with experience supporting pilot-line operations or R&D environments.
• Experience operating and monitoring pilot-line or prototype process equipment.
• Ability to collect, document, and report process data and observations.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for mechanical and electrical issues.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and monitor pilot-line and prototype process equipment.
• Collect, document, and report process and performance data.
• Partner with engineers to analyze results and identify process improvements.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues and adjust equipment to maintain performance.
• Assemble, rebuild, and test equipment and subassemblies.
• Perform precision inspections using metrology equipment.
• Support validation activities with audit-ready documentation.
• Provide feedback to engineering on equipment performance and process capability.
• Assist with qualification, testing, and continuous improvement tasks.
• Maintain a safe, organized work environment and follow procedures.

Skills

Hands-on technician

Precision manufacturing

Data collection

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Keyence vision systems

CMM

Metrology instruments

Job description

Process Engineer

Pilot Line / New Product Development - Advanced Manufacturing

Type: Contract
Start: ASAP

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading manufacturer in the advanced technology and infrastructure sector, is expanding production of highly engineered precision components used in next-generation connectivity and data technologies.

An in-house engineering team designs and builds custom automated manufacturing equipment, and a new production process is currently in the pilot-line phase.

This role is ideal for a hands-on Process Technician who can support pilot operations by running prototype systems, collecting critical process data, troubleshooting equipment, and helping refine manufacturing processes before full-scale production. This is a development-focused position rather than a traditional production operator role. Your observations, testing, and feedback will directly contribute to process optimization and equipment design.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and monitor pilot-line and prototype process equipment during development and qualification activities
• Collect, document, and report process and performance data
• Partner with engineers to analyze results and identify process improvements
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues and perform adjustments to maintain system performance
• Assemble, rebuild, and test equipment, systems, and subassemblies
• Perform precision inspections and measurements using metrology and optical inspection equipment
• Support process and equipment validation activities with accurate and audit-ready documentation
• Provide structured feedback to engineering teams regarding equipment performance, reliability, and process capability
• Assist with qualification, testing, and continuous improvement activities
• Maintain a safe and organized working environment while adhering to established procedures and quality standards

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on technician, engineering technician, manufacturing technician, laboratory technician, or similar technical background
• Experience supporting precision manufacturing, research and development (R&D), pilot-line operations, product development, or testing environments
• Experience operating and monitoring process, laboratory, testing, or manufacturing equipment
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting abilities
• Experience collecting, documenting, and reporting test, validation, or process data
• Ability to identify, diagnose, and resolve equipment and process issues
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate closely with engineering teams
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced development environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical inspection, vision systems, or automated inspection technologies (such as Keyence or similar systems)
• Experience usingmetrology equipment, including:
  • Calipers
  • Micrometers
  • Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)
  • Vision measurement systems
• Experience supporting validation and qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Familiarity with quality systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), GMP, QMS, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Experience with fiber optics, photonics, connectors, micro-assembly, or other precision manufacturing processes
• Exposure to custom automation equipment, robotics, or cleanroom environments

Common Equipment & Technologies

Candidates may have experience with:

• Keyence vision and inspection systems
• Automated manufacturing equipment
• Precision assembly tools
• Metrology and measurement equipment
• Mechanical and electrical test equipment
• Process monitoring and data collection systems
• Validation and qualification documentation tools

GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.