Process Engineer – rPET Recycling & Process Optimization

Unifi, Inc.; Reidsville, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Generous vacation and paid holidays

Flexible work options

Life Insurance

401(k) with company match

And more

Job summary

Unifi, Inc. in Reidsville, NC is seeking a Process Engineer to join our bottle processing team.

You will provide plant-level R&D support to improve recycled PET flake production, collaborating with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering to implement processes that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency. This role emphasizes data-driven problem solving, project management, and hands-on troubleshooting as we scale sustainable manufacturing across facilities.

Qualifications

• Four-year engineering or physical science degree preferred, with focus areas in mechanical, chemical, or textiles engineering.
• Experience in recycled PET (rPET) processes is strongly preferred.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% domestically to support multiple facilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain knowledge of rPET flake production processes, equipment, and plant operating systems to support safe, efficient operations.
• Provide technical solutions to improve process performance, product quality, and manufacturing cost through structured optimization and continuous improvement.
• Monitor production performance metrics and process capability to ensure target results and provide guidance when standards are not met.
• Provide hands-on technical support to manufacturing, quality assurance, and downstream operations by investigating and resolving process issues.
• Collaborate with production and technical personnel to identify challenges and implement sustainable process solutions.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, customers, and vendors to drive operational excellence and opportunities for innovation.
• Support commercialization of new product developments by transitioning lab and development projects into scalable manufacturing processes.
• Assist with development and maintenance of process documentation, standards, and operating procedures.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, efficiency, quality, and productivity.
• Support technical evaluations and projects related to recycled PET processing and emerging technologies.

Skills

Project Management

Problem Solving

Communication

Collaboration

Detail Orientation

Data Analysis

Education

Engineering or physical science degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Unifi, Inc. in Reidsville, NC is seeking a Process Engineer to join our bottle processing team.

You will provide plant-level R&D support to improve recycled PET flake production, collaborating with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering to implement processes that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency. This role emphasizes data-driven problem solving, project management, and hands-on troubleshooting as we scale sustainable manufacturing across facilities.