Process Engineer/ AEROSPACE PLATING & MACHINED PARTS

Everestsearchpartners; Sun Valley (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Everestsearchpartners seeks an experienced Process Engineer with mandatory aerospace experience to own special plating processes, translate customer specifications into robust production methods, and improve first-pass yield and process capability. The role will develop controlled routings, technique sheets, and standard work to reduce tribal knowledge.

Responsibilities include collaborating with machinists, platers, Quality, and Planning to resolve issues, lead root-cause analyses, and drive

Qualifications

• Aerospace manufacturing experience is mandatory.
• Hands-on experience with plating and chemical-processing exposure.
• Ability to interpret drawings and specifications.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.
• Experience developing routings, technique sheets, and work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Own aerospace plating processes (hard chrome, cadmium, EN) and related operations; support passivation, chem-film, cleaning, masking, baking, blasting, and inspection.
• Review customer drawings, PO's, and specs; translate requirements into master routings, technique sheets, work instructions, and process parameters.
• Develop robust methods for precision machined components, including masking, racking, current-density/rectifier considerations, plating thickness, and post-plate interfaces.
• Collaborate with machinists, platers, maskers, Quality, NDT, Planning, and Operations to resolve issues and ensure repeatable sequences.
• Lead root-cause investigations for adhesion failures, thickness variation, burns, pitting, roughness, contamination, and hydrogen embrittlement.
• Analyze tank chemistry, operating parameters, agitation, filtration, rectification, anode condition, racking, and process controls to improve yield and stability.
• Support qualification, validation, periodic testing, and customer/Nadcap audit readiness; keep docs aligned with revisions.
• Create and maintain process control plans, PFMEAs, capability studies, and validation plans.
• Evaluate new customer work for technical feasibility, process risk, tooling needs, capacity, and special requirements before release.
• Support Estimating with accurate process assumptions, cycle times, masking complexity, tooling needs, and risk.
• Develop fixtures, racks, masking concepts, and improvements that increase throughput while preserving quality.
• Lead technology transfer and operator training to document, standardize, and repeatable processes across shifts.
• Support capital equipment and facility improvements involving tanks, rectifiers, and other plating infrastructure.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Root-cause analysis

Process optimization

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Our client is seeking an experienced Process Engineer with mandatory aerospace experience and direct knowledge of plating, chemical-processing operations, and precision machined parts. This individual will provide hands‑on technical ownership of special processes, translate customer and industry specifications into robust production methods, improve first‑pass yield and process capability, and develop controlled routings, technique sheets, and standard work that reduce dependence on tribal knowledge.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical process ownership for aerospace hard chrome, cadmium, electroless nickel, and related chemical‑processing operations; support passivation, chem‑film, cleaning, masking, baking, blasting, and associated inspection requirements as applicable.
• Review customer drawings, purchase orders, and governing specifications and translate requirements into controlled master routings, technique sheets, work instructions, and process parameters.
• Develop robust processing methods for precision machined components, including masking, racking, current‑density/rectifier considerations, plating thickness, dimensional buildup, runout, post‑plate machining/grinding interfaces, and protection of critical features.
• Work directly with machinists, platers, maskers, Quality, NDT, Planning, and Operations to resolve technical issues and ensure manufacturable, repeatable process sequences.
• Lead root‑cause investigations for adhesion failures, thickness variation, burns, pitting, roughness, contamination, dimensional nonconformance, salt‑spray failures, hydrogen‑embrittlement concerns, and other plating defects.
• Analyze tank chemistry, operating parameters, agitation, filtration, rectification, anode condition, racking, and process controls to improve first‑pass yield and process stability.
• Support qualification, validation, periodic testing, and customer/Nadcap audit readiness; ensure technical documentation remains aligned with current specification revisions.
• Create and maintain process control plans, PFMEAs, capability studies, validation plans, engineering trials, and structured improvement actions where appropriate.
• Evaluate new customer work for technical feasibility, process risk, tooling/racking needs, capacity, and special requirements before production release.
• Support Estimating with accurate process assumptions, cycle times, masking complexity, tooling needs, and technical risk for new RFQs.
• Develop fixtures, racks, masking concepts, and process improvements that increase throughput while protecting part quality and dimensional requirements.
• Lead technology transfer and operator training so critical process knowledge is documented, standardized, and repeatable across technicians and shifts.
• Support capital‑equipment and facility improvement projects involving tanks, rectifiers, filtration, agitation, ovens, process controls, and other plating infrastructure.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS — MUST HAVE

• Aerospace manufacturing experience is mandatory; candidates without direct aerospace experience will not be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of process/manufacturing engineering experience supporting metal finishing, electroplating, chemical processing, or closely related aerospace special processes.
• Hands‑on experience with plating facilities and precision machined parts, including understanding of dimensional tolerances, surface condition, masking, plating buildup, and post‑process requirements.
• Working knowledge of aerospace specifications and customer‑controlled processing requirements; experience interpreting engineering drawings and specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot plating defects using structured root‑cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Experience developing routings, technique sheets, work instructions, process parameters, and other controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Strong understanding of process control, chemistry/parameter discipline, validation, measurement systems, and data analysis.
• Ability to work effectively on the shop floor with technicians while communicating technical issues clearly to customers, Quality, and leadership.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.
• Experience with hard chrome and cadmium plating of aerospace landing‑gear, actuator, hydraulic, fastener, or other precision machined components.
• Nadcap Chemical Processing experience and familiarity with AS9100 quality systems.
• Lean Six Sigma, DOE, SPC, or PFMEA experience.
• Experience with plating line equipment, including rectifiers, agitation, filtration, tank controls, and process monitoring.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• First‑Pass Yield and Defect Reduction
• Process Capability / Parameter Compliance
• Reduction in Rework and Scrap
• Technique Sheet / Master Routing Completion and Accuracy
• Corrective Action Effectiveness
• New Process / New Product Qualification Success
• Cycle‑Time and Throughput Improvement
• Audit and Specification Compliance

TECHNICAL PROFILE

A practical, shop‑floor engineer who can translate aerospace specifications, machined‑part requirements, and plating knowledge into controlled, repeatable processes that reduce tribal knowledge and improve scalability.