Sr Manufacturing Engineer (Extrusion)

Panduit; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Program

Generous Time Off

401(k) match / profit sharing

Parental Leave

Job summary

Panduit is seeking a Senior Extrusion Process Engineer to lead profile extrusion operations, drive process improvements, and optimize tooling, equipment, and manufacturing methods across our extrusion line. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define process parameters, validate tooling, analyze test data, and ensure alignment with quality standards.

This role focuses on improving productivity, reducing scrap, and boosting OEE in a fast‑paced environment at our Illinois facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• Preferred: Polymer/Plastics discipline.
• 5–8 years of hands-on plastic profile extrusion experience, optimizing processes and creating extrusion recipes.
• Strong communication and leadership skills; experience leading daily meetings and presenting equipment recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical direction and process management for profile extrusion operations.
• Apply engineering expertise to optimize and troubleshoot profile extrusion processes.
• Develop new processes, define parameters, and evaluate auxiliary equipment requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to review new product design requirements and ensure extrusion compatibility.
• Design and implement profile extrusion tooling including process validation.
• Analyze test data to refine extrusion processes and material specifications.
• Provide technical support for extrusion department production; improving productivity, reducing scrap and improving OEE.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, researching new technologies and collaborating on long‑term technical strategies.
• Drive capital projects, from business case development to execution, to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

Skills

Extrusion process

Process optimization

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Polymer/Plastics discipline (preferred)

Tools

Extrusion tooling

Job description

At Panduit, we don’t just offer a job – we offer a career where your contributions directly impact our customers, the environment and our company’s success. You’ll have the opportunity to grow, innovate, and be a part of an inclusive team that celebrates both individual and collective achievements. If you’re ready to elevate your career and help us deliver exceptional experiences to our customers, make your mark with Panduit!

As a Senior Extrusion Process Engineer, you’ll spearhead the design and enhancement of profile extrusion equipment, processes, and tooling, adhering to rigorous engineering standards. You’ll independently tackle complex engineering tasks, from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with quality standards. Use your engineering skills to innovate and refine profile extrusion processes, making Panduit’s manufacturing operations more efficient and effective!

What You Will Do

• Lead technical direction and process management for profile extrusion operations.
• Apply engineering expertise to optimize and troubleshoot profile extrusion processes.
• Develop new processes, define parameters, and evaluate auxiliary equipment requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to review new product design requirements and ensure extrusion compatibility.
• Design and implement profile extrusion tooling including process validation.
• Analyze test data to refine extrusion processes and material specifications.
• Provide technical support for extrusion department production; improving productivity, reducing scrap and improving OEE.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, researching new technologies and collaborating on long‑term technical strategies.
• Drive capital projects, from business case development to execution, to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

What You Will Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• Preferred degree in Polymer/Plastics discipline.
• Experience: 5-8 years of hands‑on experience in plastic profile extrusion production, including optimizing extrusion processes and creating process recipes for extruded products.
• Skills: Proficiency in scientific principles of extrusion process and extrusion tool construction. Experience leading daily meetings, presenting new equipment recommendations, and possessing excellent communication skills.

What We Can Offer You Competitive Pay & Benefits

• Enjoy a robust Total Rewards Program that includes health, financial benefits, and more.
• Generous Time Off: Take advantage of our generous vacation, sick days, holidays, plus a volunteer day to give back to the community.
• Retirement & Growth: 401(k) match, profit sharing, and abundant growth and development opportunities to help you advance your career.
• RRSP Match not 401k in Canada.
• Parental Leave: Because we care about your family and your future.

Compensation: The expected annual base salary range for this role is $95,000- $120,000. Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We believe great ideas thrive when every voice is welcomed, valued, and empowered. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture where inclusion, belonging, and accountability are woven into everything we do.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Panduit will not sponsor applicants for work visas now or in the future. All roles, including remote positions, require an in-person interview as part of the hiring process. Work Shift Day (United States of America).

Panduit thrives on ingenuity and enterprise. We focus on solving problems and achieving success through our comprehensive infrastructure portfolios, helping organizations navigate digital, electrical, and workforce transformations for sustainable growth. As a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electrical and network infrastructure and connectivity solutions, we operate from our headquarters in Tinley Park, Ill., USA, and across 112 worldwide locations. We drive innovation through strategic R&D investments and breakthrough product development while providing seamless global support and service. Since 1955, our commitment to our customers has remained constant, and is guided by our cultural beliefs – Earn Trust, Be Focused, Own Results, Think Differently, Collaborate, and Simplify. Together, we create exceptional solutions that support our customers’ businesses in a way that's good for them and good for the world. At Panduit, we’re making the connections that matter.