Process Engineer

100 Wilsonart LLC; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Gym discounts

Job summary

Wilsonart is seeking a Process Engineer – Manufacturing Improvement to partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, and Continuous Improvement teams on floor-based process enhancements. You will drive lean practices, standard work, and problem-solving to reduce waste, improve quality, safety, yield, and cost performance.

The role emphasizes hands-on floor engagement with operators and supervisors, strong data analysis, and practical teamwork to sustain improvements across the plant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; 3+ years in manufacturing.
• Lean manufacturing, 5S, standard work, visual management experience.
• Experience with scrap reduction, yield improvement, downtime reduction, or cost reduction.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent preferred but not required.
• Strong communication and teamwork across multiple levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prioritize, and resolve process-related issues impacting quality, cost, efficiency, yield, downtime, and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze production data, scrap, yield loss, downtime, defects, rework, and process variation to identify trends and opportunities.
• Lead structured problem-solving using RCA, 5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, A3 thinking, and corrective actions.
• Spend significant time on the manufacturing floor engaging operators and supervisors to drive issue resolution at the source.
• Develop and implement visual controls to improve visibility of process performance and gaps.
• Support Lean initiatives including 5S, standard work, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Skills

Process improvement

Problem solving

Lean manufacturing

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

The Process Engineer – Manufacturing Improvement works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Continuous Improvement, and Operations teams to improve plant performance through stronger process control, structured problem solving, standard work, and Lean manufacturing practices. This role serves as a hands‑on partner to production teams, spending significant time on the manufacturing floor identifying opportunities to improve quality, safety, efficiency, yield, and cost performance. The ideal candidate combines strong technical and analytical capabilities with a practical, team‑oriented approach to problem solving. This individual will drive sustainable process improvements by working directly with operators, supervisors, and cross‑functional stakeholders to eliminate waste, reduce variation, and strengthen operational discipline.

Benefits

• Support that keeps you well
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Company‑paid short‑and long‑term disability
• FSAs and dependent care options
• Vision and legal benefits
• Gym discounts and wellness clinics
• Tuition reimbursement—for you and your dependents
• Opportunities to grow
• Clear paths to promotion and internal mobility
• Training, coaching, and mentorship
• Development programs to support your goals
• Time for what matters
• Paid vacation and holidays in your first year
• A culture that respects work‑life balance

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Process Improvement & Problem Solving

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Continuous Improvement, and Operations leadership to identify, prioritize, and resolve process‑related issues impacting quality, cost, efficiency, yield, downtime, and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze production data, scrap, yield loss, downtime, defects, rework, customer claims, and process variation to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead structured problem‑solving activities using tools such as Root Cause Analysis, 5 Why, Fishbone Diagrams, Pareto Analysis, A3 Thinking, and corrective action processes.
• Support process validations, manufacturing trials, new material evaluations, alternate supplier qualifications, and process changes.

Manufacturing Floor Engagement

• Spend significant time on the production floor observing processes, engaging operators and supervisors, identifying abnormalities, and driving issue resolution at the source.
• Partner with operations teams to improve process discipline, reduce variation, and ensure adherence to established standard work.
• Train and coach operators, leads, and supervisors on problem‑solving methodologies, standard work, visual management, and process control fundamentals.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Support Lean manufacturing initiatives including 5S, visual management, waste reduction, standard work, layered audits, and daily accountability processes.
• Develop and implement visual controls that improve visibility of process performance, abnormalities, quality concerns, and operational gaps.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, material movement, equipment utilization, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Support cost reduction efforts through scrap reduction, downtime reduction, labor efficiency improvements, and elimination of recurring process failures.

Process Standardization & Quality Improvement

• Develop, document, and improve standard operating procedures and standard work for manufacturing processes including startup, shutdown, changeover, setup, inspection, cleaning, and defect response activities.
• Support quality improvement initiatives by strengthening in‑process inspections, operator quality checks, defect prevention methods, and Quality at the Source practices.
• Partner with Maintenance to identify equipment‑related process variation and improve reliability, preventative maintenance effectiveness, and uptime.

Performance Monitoring & Project Execution

• Establish project baselines, performance metrics, action plans, timelines, and sustainment measures.
• Track and report progress on improvement initiatives, including operational and financial impacts.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement across manufacturing operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong manufacturing process improvement and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience applying Lean manufacturing principles, including 5S, standard work, visual management, waste reduction, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to analyze production and quality data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into practical solutions.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple levels of the organization without direct authority.
• Strong project management, organization, and follow‑through skills.
• Ability to balance technical analysis with hands‑on manufacturing floor execution.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing equipment, process control, quality systems, and operational performance metrics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Key Competencies

• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Root Cause Problem Solving
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Operational Excellence
• Data‑Driven Decision Making
• Coaching and Team Development
• Process Discipline and Accountability

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Operations Management, or a related field required. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience leading or supporting process improvement, Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or quality improvement initiatives preferred.
• Experience with scrap reduction, yield improvement, downtime reduction, cost reduction, or operational excellence projects preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or similar certification preferred but not required.

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent movement throughout manufacturing environments.
• Occasional lifting of materials or equipment up to 20 pounds.

Environment

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing plant environments.
• Regular exposure to production equipment, machinery, noise, and varying plant conditions.
• Significant time spent on the manufacturing floor supporting operations and improvement activities.

We’re looking for people who are ready to learn, ready to lead and ready to make a difference. If that sounds like you, you can win at Wilsonart.

Wilsonart is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, order of protection status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

At Wilsonart, we believe in the power of possibilities. Making surfaces that combine form and function. Flexibility and durability. Practicality and possibility. With our engineered surfaces, we can replicate the surfaces of nature. We can create new, inspired looks with more durable, sustainable materials. If it can be imagined, we can make it happen. We manufacture and distribute High Pressure Laminate, Coordinated TFL and Edgeband, Quartz, Solid Surface, Epoxy, and other decorative engineered surfaces for use in the office, education, healthcare, residential, hospitality, and retail markets.