Sr Manufacturing Engineer (Extrusion)

Judge Group, Inc.; Lockport (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan with matching

Professional development

Job summary

Judge Group, Inc. is seeking a Senior Extrusion Process/Manufacturing Engineer in Lockport, IL to lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of profile extrusion equipment and processes.

You will drive cross‑functional collaboration, optimize extrusion performance, develop tooling, and lead capital equipment projects, with a base salary of $100,000–$120,000 per year and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent required.
• Preference for Polymer/Plastics Engineering or Materials Science.
• 5–8 years of hands‑on experience in plastic profile extrusion manufacturing.
• Proven ability to optimize extrusion processes and develop process recipes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and process management for profile extrusion manufacturing operations.
• Optimize, troubleshoot, and improve extrusion processes.
• Develop new manufacturing processes, establish process parameters, and determine auxiliary equipment requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to review new product designs and ensure compatibility with extrusion capabilities.
• Design, develop, and implement profile extrusion tooling, including process validation and qualification activities.
• Analyze process and test data to improve extrusion performance and material specs.
• Support production by resolving technical issues and improving productivity, scrap reduction, and OEE.
• Lead capital equipment projects from business case to startup.
• Drive continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, throughput, and cost reduction.

Skills

Extrusion knowledge

Process improvement

Technical leadership

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Polymer/Plastics Engineering or Materials Science preferred

Tools

Profile extrusion tooling design

Process validation

OEE and scrap reduction

Job description

Location: Lockport (Township), IL Salary: $100,000.00 USD Annually – $120,000.00 USD Annually Description:

Senior Extrusion Process/Manufacturing Engineer

About the Role

As a Senior Extrusion Process Engineer, you will lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of profile extrusion equipment, processes, and tooling in accordance with established engineering standards. This role requires independent execution of complex engineering projects from concept through implementation while driving innovation, process optimization, and manufacturing excellence. You will leverage your technical expertise to enhance efficiency, quality, and productivity across extrusion operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and process management for profile extrusion manufacturing operations.
• Apply engineering principles and expertise to optimize, troubleshoot, and improve extrusion processes.
• Develop new manufacturing processes, establish process parameters, and determine auxiliary equipment requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to review new product designs and ensure compatibility with extrusion manufacturing capabilities.
• Design, develop, and implement profile extrusion tooling, including process validation and qualification activities.
• Analyze process and test data to improve extrusion performance, product quality, and material specifications.
• Support day-to-day production by resolving technical issues and driving improvements in productivity, scrap reduction, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Research emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices to support long-term manufacturing strategies.
• Lead capital equipment projects, including business case development, equipment selection, implementation, and startup activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, throughput, and cost reduction.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Degree concentration in Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience

• 5-8 years of hands‑on experience in plastic profile extrusion manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience optimizing extrusion processes and developing process recipes for extruded products.
• Experience supporting production environments and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven track record leading process development, tooling implementation, and equipment improvement projects.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of extrusion process fundamentals and polymer processing principles.
• Experience with profile extrusion tooling design, construction, and process validation.
• Ability to analyze process data and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Familiarity with OEE metrics, scrap reduction methodologies, and manufacturing performance optimization.
• Experience evaluating and recommending new manufacturing equipment and technologies.

Professional Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Experience leading technical discussions, daily production meetings, and project presentations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams and influence stakeholders across the organization.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Base Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000 annually
• Actual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, skills, and market conditions.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, wellness, and financial benefits package.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, company holidays, and volunteer time.
• Retirement savings programs, including company matching and profit‑sharing opportunities.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• Paid parental leave.
• For Canadian employees, RRSP matching may be offered in place of a 401(k) program.

Why Join Us?

Join a team dedicated to innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. In this role, you will have the opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy, drive process advancements, and deliver meaningful business results while working in a collaborative and forward‑thinking environment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and every employee has the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Sponsorship for employment visas is not available for this position now or in the future. All candidates, including those applying for remote positions, are required to participate in an in‑person interview as part of the hiring process.