Senior Vulcanization Process Engineer - Molding & Scale

freudenberg; Morganfield (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg Group is seeking a seasoned engineer to own vulcanization process development from molding trials through serial production in a manufacturing setting in the United States. The role requires defining process parameters, leading Run@Rate and capability studies, and ensuring a smooth handover to production.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline and 5+ years of manufacturing experience, with knowledge of APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, and SPC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing, Materials, Polymer, or Industrial Engineering.
• Five+ years of relevant manufacturing experience preferred, automotive rubber molding or vulcanization is a plus.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC and capability studies.
• Experience launching or industrializing new processes, molds, tooling, or production equipment.
• Data-driven decision making and disciplined experimentation.

Responsibilities

• Own vulcanization process development from molding trials through PPAP and serial production.
• Define, document, and validate temperature, pressure, cure time, injection, transfer timing, mold venting, and flash-control parameters.
• Lead process trials, Run@Rate, capability studies, launch readiness reviews, and structured handover to production.
• Create and maintain Process Flow, PFMEA, Control Plan, work instructions, parameter standards, and reaction plans.
• Monitor and improve OEE, output, FPY, scrap, cycle time, and critical-to-quality capability.
• Investigate curing, dimensional, durability, short-shot, flash, and material-flow concerns using structured problem solving.
• Coordinate with Product Engineering, Quality, Tooling, Automation, Maintenance, Production, suppliers, and customer teams.
• Support mold interchangeability, backup-process validation, contingency planning, and replication of validated settings to additional cells.
• Train operators and technicians on process controls, defect recognition, escalation criteria, and recovery standards.
• Drive continuous improvement while protecting safety, product integrity, and customer requirements.

Skills

Process engineering

Problem solving

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing, Materials, Polymer, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

APQP

PPAP

PFMEA

Control Plans

SPC

Capability studies

Job description

Freudenberg Group is seeking a seasoned engineer to own vulcanization process development from molding trials through serial production in a manufacturing setting in the United States. The role requires defining process parameters, leading Run@Rate and capability studies, and ensuring a smooth handover to production.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline and 5+ years of manufacturing experience, with knowledge of APQP/PPAP, PFMEA, and SPC.