Product and Process Industrialization Junior Engineer - Hydraulic Hose

Continental Industry; Fairlawn (OH); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Immediate Benefits

Robust Total Rewards Package

Paid Time Off

Volunteer Time Off

Tuition Assistance

Employee Discounts, including tire

Competitive Bonus Programs

Employee 401k Match

Hybrid Work

Employee Assistance Program

Future Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Continental is hiring a Product and Process Industrialization Engineer – Hydraulic Hose for the Fairlawn, OH area with flexibility for Norfolk, NE or Mount Pleasant IA. The role focuses on launching new products into stable serial production and aligning with global industrialization standards.

The candidate will work with senior engineers and plant teams, contribute to process capability, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement across IAM hydraulic hose plants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a mechanical/manufacturing/chemical or related field.
• 3–5 years process/manufacturing engineering experience, preferably in hydraulic hose production.
• Experience with rubber/plastic manufacturing processes and supporting ramp-ups.
• Familiarity with industrialization technologies, standards, and core tools (PFMEA, APQP, MSA, R&R).
• Lean production knowledge and ability to apply problem-solving tools (A3, 8D, DMAIC, SPC, MSA).
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and track project activities; travels 40–50% domestically.

Responsibilities

• Apply hydraulic hose manufacturing standards across IAM plants.
• Lead industrialization activities from design reviews to launch and production stabilization.
• Provide input on processes, materials, and assembly methods; address complex issues.
• Optimize production processes, equipment, tooling, and layouts to hit targets.
• Support DFM/DFA reviews with Product Development, Quality, and Operations teams.
• Coordinate improvement actions focusing on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Use structured problem-solving tools with guidance (A3, 8D, DMAIC, SPC, MSA).
• Analyze cycle time, yield, scrap, and cost to identify improvements.
• Document opportunities and maintain process guidelines; support post-launch reviews.
• Monitor KPIs for quality, efficiency, capability, and cost; propose countermeasures.

Skills

Rubber/plastic manufacturing processes

Problem solving tools (A3/8D/DMAIC/SPC

Lean production/CBS principles

English proficiency

Process validation methods

Project planning and tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical or related field

Tools

None

Job description

Company Description

THE COMPANY Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic, and transportation. In 2023, Continental generated sales of €41.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 56 countries and markets. ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. The Continental group sector offers its customers connected, environment-friendly, safe, and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 42,000 employees in more than 40 countries and sales of some 6.8 billion euros (2023), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America. Are you ready to shape the future with us?

Job Description

Job Description The Product and Process Industrialization Engineer – Hydraulic Hose supports product and process industrialization across the IAM organization. The role contributes to the launch of new products, technologies, and engineering changes into stable serial production through defined engineering activities across multiple hydraulic hose manufacturing sites. As a developing technical specialist, the position applies practical knowledge of hydraulic hose manufacturing processes and product–process interactions to support launch readiness, process capability, and stable production performance. Working with senior industrialization experts and plant teams, the role contributes to troubleshooting, standardization, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement in alignment with global industrialization standards. The position supports industrialization and improvement projects across IAM hydraulic hose plants, contributing to the successful execution and performance of a product portfolio representing approximately €300 M in annual revenue. Location: ContiTech Fairlawn OH, Open to locations in Norfolk, NE or Mount Pleasant IA.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Support Business Area technical experts in applying hydraulic hose manufacturing process standards across IAM plants.
• Execute assigned industrialization activities for new products, from design reviews and process definition through launch and production stabilization.
• Provide technical input on processes, materials, and assembly methods; elevate complex issues.
• Support optimization of production processes, equipment, tooling, and layouts to meet operational targets.
• Contribute to DFM/DFA reviews with Product Development, Quality, and Operations teams.
• Support engineering changes and verify implementation with minimal production disruption.
• Coordinate defined improvement actions focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Use structured problem-solving tools (A3, 8D, DMAIC, SPC, MSA) with guidance.
• Analyze cycle time, yield, scrap, and cost to identify process improvements.
• Apply manufacturing standards and document improvement opportunities.
• Support post-launch reviews and follow-up actions to stabilize serial production.
• Monitor KPIs for quality, efficiency, capability, and cost; propose countermeasures.
• Identify launch risks and support plant teams with mitigation actions.
• Investigate recurring process deviations and contribute to root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Prepare project status, performance, risk, and improvement updates for PPI Leadership and other stakeholders.
• Support implementation and adherence to global product and process standards across assigned locations.
• Maintain process documentation, technical guidelines, and lessons learned with senior experts and plant teams.
• Share technical knowledge with plant engineers and operators and provide hands‑on support during trials and ramp‑ups.
• Participate in validation of new technologies, materials, and processes, including documentation and follow‑up.

Qualifications

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Chemical, or a related engineering or science field.
• 3–5 years of process or manufacturing engineering experience, preferably in hydraulic hose production.
• Working knowledge of rubber and plastic manufacturing processes and experience supporting production ramp‑ups.
• Familiarity with product and process industrialization technologies and standards.
• Working knowledge of industrial engineering fundamentals and methods.
• Understanding of manufacturing test processes and basic process validation methods.
• Experience applying problem‑solving tools (A3, 8D, DMAIC, SPC, MSA, etc.).
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and track assigned project activities.
• Basic understanding of product lifecycle and engineering change processes.
• Exposure to Quality Core Tools (PFMEA, APQP, MSA, R&R, flowcharting, process control plans).
• Familiarity with Lean production / CBS principles, methods, and tools.
• Proficiency in English is mandatory
• Travel approximately 40 - 50% domestically and within the Americas region.

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas now or in the future for this job posting.

Additional Ways To Stand Out

• Experience coordinating small technical work packages or defined improvement activities.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience working with cross-site or international manufacturing teams.
• Hands‑on exposure to hose processes (mandrel preparation, extrusion, braiding, cover, curing, blow‑out, pressure testing, and crimping).
• Experience with trials, validation, troubleshooting, or ramp‑up activities.

Additional Information

THE PERKS

• Immediate Benefits
• Robust Total Rewards Package
• Paid Time Off
• Volunteer Time Off
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Discounts, including tire discounts.
• Competitive Bonus Programs
• Employee 401k Match
• Diverse & Inclusive Work Environment with 20+ Employee Resource groups.
• Hybrid Work
• Employee Assistance Program
• Future Growth Opportunities, including personal and professional.
• And many more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

EEO-Statement

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [e-mail] or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.