Process Engineer R & D

Owens Corning; West Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance

401k with company contribution

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Services

Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Owens Corning is seeking a Process Engineer R&D in West Chicago, IL to develop and scale new materials and manufacturing processes. This hands-on role focuses on transitioning from lab to production while ensuring process robustness and quality. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 2+ years of related experience. The position offers competitive salary and benefits.

Join our innovative team and contribute to the development of advanced wood fiber and composite products.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in process development, manufacturing engineering, or industrial R&D.
• Demonstrated experience scaling processes from lab or pilot to production.
• Strong working knowledge of structured problem-solving tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead scale-up of new formulations from lab to full-scale production.
• Conduct root cause analysis using DOE, SPC, Six Sigma.
• Provide direct technical support to manufacturing teams.

Skills

Process development

Data analysis

Manufacturing optimization

Technical writing

Lean methodologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related field

Tools

DOE

SPC

Six Sigma

Job description

Process Engineer R&D

Location(s): West Chicago, IL, 60185

Function: Research and Development

Audience: Experienced Professional

Work Arrangement: On Site

Requisition ID: 69052

Purpose of the Job

The R&D Process Engineer (MPI) is a hands‑on technical role responsible for developing, scaling, and industrializing new materials, formulations, and manufacturing processes for wood fiber and composite door products. This role sits at the critical interface between R&D and Operations, owning the transition from lab and pilot validation to full‑scale manufacturing while ensuring process robustness, safety, quality, and cost effectiveness. Success in this role requires strong experimental discipline, plant‑level troubleshooting capability, and the ability to translate data into executable manufacturing solutions.

Job Responsibilities

Process & Technology Development

• Lead scale‑up of new formulations, materials, and processes from lab and pilot equipment to full‑scale production lines.
• Translate R&D learnings into manufacturing‑ready process windows, control plans, and operating standards.

Data‑Driven Problem Solving & Optimization

• Lead structured root‑cause analysis using DOE, SPC, Six Sigma, and Lean methodologies.
• Diagnose and resolve process instability, quality defects, yield loss, and throughput limitations.
• Design, execute, and document plant trials, including clear hypotheses, success criteria, and conclusions.
• Use statistical and process data to drive decisions— not assumptions.

Manufacturing & Plant Interface

• Provide direct technical support to manufacturing teams during trials, startups, and sustained production.
• Partner with Operations to implement process improvements, debottlenecking, and other process‑related initiatives.
• Ensure smooth transfer from development into operations, including training, documentation, and risk mitigation.
• Travel to manufacturing sites as needed to support trials and troubleshooting.

Safety, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure all development and manufacturing activities comply with Owens Corning safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Embed Design for Safety and risk assessment into all new process development.

Project Execution & Collaboration

• Manage process development and capital projects from concept through implementation.
• Plan and execute plant trials and process changes, coordinating resources, materials, equipment availability, and cross‑functional support.
• Track and manage project risks, assumptions, and dependencies, escalating issues early with clear data‑based recommendations.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, Design, Quality, Operations, Maintenance, and Sourcing.
• Communicate technical results clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including leadership.
• Ensure projects transition smoothly from development into operations with clear documentation, training, and ownership handoff.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in process development, manufacturing engineering, or industrial R&D.
• Demonstrated experience scaling processes from lab or pilot to production.
• Strong working knowledge of DOE, SPC, and structured problem‑solving tools.
• Proven ability to work hands‑on in manufacturing environments, not just in labs.
• Strong technical writing, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with wood fiber, composites, polymers, resins, adhesives, or press‑based manufacturing.
• Familiarity with continuous or batch manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting plant trials, startups, or technology transfers.
• Background in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.
• Comfort working in ambiguity and early‑stage development environments.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $78,000 to $100,000, with the potential for up to an additional 10+% if the applicant hired has additional related qualifications. We also offer a substantial benefits package including insurance (medical/dental/vision/life/disability/supplemental offerings), 401(k) (company contribution regardless of employee participation – plus match), paid time off that considers full professional tenure (vacation, personal floating, and standard holidays), Employee Assistance Services, Stock Purchase Program, and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Owens Corning is an equal‑opportunity employer. Except in limited circumstances such as formal apprenticeship programs, Owens Corning does not employ anyone under the age of 18.