Process Technician

Technical Response, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical Response, Inc. is seeking a Process Technician to support safe, efficient production of plastic components in an automotive-driven manufacturing environment.

This hands-on role requires a mechanically inclined, proactive individual who can learn, take initiative, and address technical challenges with curiosity and accountability. You will perform mold changes, verify equipment readiness, set and monitor molding conditions, troubleshoot process and quality issues, document activities

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least two years of molding experience preferred; strong mechanical aptitude valued.
• Experience with mold setup and injection molding equipment preferred.
• Scientific molding training or certification preferred.
• Basic knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and industrial automation.
• Strong math, mechanical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Install and remove molds and verify services per safety procedures.
• Set up and maintain approved molding conditions to ensure stable processes.
• Troubleshoot process and quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor parts for conformity and document changes for traceability.
• Program and troubleshoot robots and build EOAT as assigned.
• Follow safety, GMP, and customer-specific requirements.

Skills

Molding experience

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Injection molding equipment

Robot programming

Quality inspection tools

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Process Technician supports safe, consistent, and efficient production of injection- and blow-molded plastic components in an automotive-driven manufacturing environment. This hands-on position calls for a motivated, mechanically inclined individual who is eager to learn, takes initiative, and approaches technical challenges with curiosity and accountability. The technician performs mold changes, verifies equipment readiness, establishes and monitors molding conditions, troubleshoots process and quality concerns, and accurately documents work to support repeatable, capable processes.

The successful candidate takes pride in producing consistent, conforming parts, responds constructively to changing production priorities, communicates clearly with teammates, and continually develops technical skills. An automotive quality mindset-including process discipline, traceability, defect containment, and continuous improvement-is essential. This is a technical individual-contributor role, not a supervisory position.

JOB DUTIES

• Install and remove molds as required; connect and verify water, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical services using established safety procedures.
• Complete setup verification, housekeeping, cleanup, and line clearance before production startup.
• Establish, monitor, and adjust approved molding conditions within authorized limits to maintain stable, repeatable processes and conforming products; follow documented setup sheets and change-control requirements.
• Investigate process and quality problems using structured troubleshooting and root cause analysis; implement or recommend corrective actions within assigned authority and verify their effectiveness.
• Monitor production and inspect parts for visual, dimensional, and functional conformity; promptly identify, segregate, and escalation suspect product according to established quality procedures.
• Follow the daily production schedule, adapt to changing priorities, and organize assigned work to minimize downtime.
• Assist with material and color changes and verify that materials and auxiliary equipment are ready for production.
• Program and troubleshoot robots as assigned; assemble and build end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) with appropriate guidance.
• Troubleshoot hydraulic, pneumatic, basic electrical, and automation issues; check fuses, replace heater bands, or verify voltages only when trained and authorized.
• Perform basic mold and tool maintenance, including cleaning, greasing, and inspection for wear; report conditions requiring repair.
• Maintain setup sheets and accurately document process changes, adjustments, production issues, and shift activities to support traceability and repeatable production.
• Communicate machine status, unresolved issues, and incomplete tasks during shift handoff.
• Support machine uptime, scrap reduction, process capability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement through data-driven observation and follow-through.
• Assist production operators as needed while maintaining assigned technician responsibilities.
• Learn blow molding processes if not already proficient; actively pursue training in scientific molding, process capability, equipment, automation, and automotive quality expectations.
• Follow applicable safety, environmental, quality, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Follow approved quality plans, work instructions, and customer-specific requirements applicable to assigned production jobs.
• Support first-piece, startup, and ongoing process verification; maintain required production and inspection records.
• Assist Quality and Engineering with defect investigations, corrective actions, and process capability studies (such as Cp/Cpk) as trained and assigned.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least two years of relevant molding experience preferred; strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated learning ability are valued.
• Experience with mold setup, injection molding equipment, and troubleshooting preferred.
• Scientific molding training or certification preferred.
• Basic knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and industrial automation.
• Strong mathematical, mechanical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A motivated Process Technician asks thoughtful questions, learns from feedback, takes ownership of assigned work, documents changes, communicates problems early, and follows tasks through to completion without bypassing safety or quality procedures. The technician understands the importance of first-time quality, stable processes, documented evidence, and prompt containment of defects. The technician collaborates with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Tooling, and Engineering and demonstrates the company core values: Character, Teamwork, and Continuous Improvement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to s