Process Engineer - Manufacturing Systems & Optimization

Kanto Corporation; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kanto Corporation is seeking a Process Engineer to own technical performance, reliability, and evolution of manufacturing systems. You will collaborate across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to identify risks, improve processes, and implement sustainable changes.

The role emphasizes on-floor problem solving, data-driven decisions, and leading technical initiatives with cross-functional teams to enhance safety, quality, and cost objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related.
• Experience supporting complex manufacturing processes, equipment, or production systems.
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
• Experience with process control, technical risk management, change control, and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of structured root cause analysis and risk assessment methodologies such as PFMEA, FTA, HACCP, or similar approaches.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, and operational excellence principles.
• Experience developing or maintaining technical documentation, process standards, specifications, and operating requirements.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information for different audiences.
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and influence outcomes without relying on positional authority.
• A practical, hands-on mindset and willingness to spend meaningful time where the work happens—on the manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical lead for assigned manufacturing processes and systems.
• Develop and maintain technical roadmaps and long-term process improvement plans.
• Monitor process capability, equipment performance, trends, and system health indicators.
• Establish and maintain process standards, operating envelopes, and critical process parameters.
• Identify emerging technical risks before they become operational problems.
• Help ensure manufacturing systems remain capable of meeting safety, quality, delivery, reliability, and cost objectives.
• Own the technical aspects of change control for assigned manufacturing systems and processes.
• Evaluate proposed changes for feasibility, technical risk, validation requirements, and operational impact.
• Coordinate technical reviews and approvals necessary to implement process changes.
• Ensure specifications, procedures, standards, drawings, and other technical documentation remain current and accurate.
• Support implementation, startup, validation, and stabilization following significant process or equipment changes.
• Identify and assess risks affecting manufacturing performance, reliability, safety, and product quality.
• Lead or facilitate structured risk assessments, including PFMEA and related methodologies.
• Develop mitigation strategies and monitor their effectiveness.
• Escalate significant technical risks with clear recommendations, priorities, and recovery plans.
• Lead investigation and resolution of complex process, equipment, and quality issues.
• Facilitate structured root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action.
• Provide timely technical troubleshooting and decision support to manufacturing teams.
• Move beyond temporary fixes by developing solutions that address root causes and reduce recurrence.
• Use data and process knowledge to identify trends and opportunities that may not yet be visible operationally.
• Coordinate technical activities across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, and project teams.
• Provide technical direction during process improvements, equipment modifications, capacity expansions, and other manufacturing initiatives.
• Ensure project execution aligns with manufacturing requirements and operating realities.
• Serve as a key technical resource during startup, commissioning, validation, and process stabilization.
• Influence decisions and drive action across teams, even when you do not have direct authority.
• Capture lessons learned from manufacturing events, process changes, projects, and technical investigations.
• Translate those lessons into stronger standards, procedures, specifications, training, and operating practices.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, standardization, reliability, and operational excellence.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, SPC, and other continuous improvement methodologies where appropriate.
• Help build technical systems and practices that can scale as Kanto grows.

Skills

Technical problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Root cause analysis

Change control

Cross-functional collaboration

On-floor presence

Documentation

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt)

Tools

PFMEA

FTA

HACCP

Job description

Kanto Corporation is seeking a Process Engineer to own technical performance, reliability, and evolution of manufacturing systems. You will collaborate across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to identify risks, improve processes, and implement sustainable changes.

The role emphasizes on-floor problem solving, data-driven decisions, and leading technical initiatives with cross-functional teams to enhance safety, quality, and cost objectives.