Sr. Manufacturing Run Plant Engineer

Avantor; Carpinteria (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

NuSil, part of Avantor, seeks a Senior Manufacturing Run Plant Engineer in Carpinteria, CA to lead small-scale process improvements across production, collaborating with R&D, quality, and maintenance teams. You will design improvements, manage projects to timelines, and ensure safe, scalable processes for new products.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab studies, data analysis, and effective communication with equipment vendors and cross-functional teams to deliver robust, repeatable results in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 2–5 years of related experience in a chemical/manufacturing setting.
• Familiarity with DMAIC and lean manufacturing concepts (kanbans, kaizen, 5S).

Responsibilities

• Focus on optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance safety, efficiency and quality.
• Collaborate with R&D, production, quality, and maintenance teams.
• Coordinate with equipment vendors and cross-functional groups to achieve goals.
• Design and manage projects to timelines using structured problem-solving (DMAIC) and lean tools.

Skills

DMAIC

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

SPC

Problem Solving

Project Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Process Design

Data Analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Visual Basic

Job description

The Opportunity: NuSil (apart of Avantor) is looking for a Senior Manufacturing Run Plant Engineer to be responsible for all phases of small-scale assigned process improvement projects associated with production. This role collaborates with internal teams, such as R&D, production, quality, and maintenance, and may communicate with external parties, including equipment vendors. This is a full-time position based out of our Carpinteria, CA office.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

Focus on optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance safety and efficiency and product quality, ensuring the reliability and scalability of processes and associated equipment when bringing new products into production safely. Support implementation of new manufacturing processes and methods. Document research findings and create necessary documentation. Manage multiple projects and processes, such as process design improvements or equipment upgrades, within the manufacturing environment. May perform hands-on execution of laboratory studies and/or technology projects. Address complex and varied challenges, requiring analysis of diverse data and operational factors, deriving solutions based on limited information and engineering principles in a timely manner. Adhere to the Company’s Safety policies. Develop personal strategies for juggling competing demands and uses good time management tools ie., leader standard work. Address production issues and resolve them in a timely manner ie, NCR’s, CAPA’s. Coordinate diverse groups from manufacturing, quality assurance, engineering and operations to achieve required goals. Identifies potential hazardous situations and addresses hazardous processes Identifies and implements enhanced technologies to improve Environmental, Health and Safety attributes of manufacturing practices Independently design and manage projects to timelines. Achieve goals within prescribed time frames. Easily assume ownership role in ensuring that all projects are coordinated thoroughly including formation of teams, training of applicable personnel, design of project, data collection and analysis, implementation of corrective action and establishment of control measures to ensure sustainable change. Schedules project assignments and maintain process flow to ensure timely completion of analyses. Assumes ownership role in ensuring that projects are completed on-time and accurately and escape as required. Responsible for designing and implementing new processes because of analysis. Must be able to independently identify opportunities for improvement, gather the appropriate data to support the change and speak to the change in a scientific and persuasive manner Responsible for maintaining quality within the scope of the job description Ensure that all analyses are performed accurately and completely Responsible for reviewing process reproducibility trends of applicable products and improving products be robust and repeatable conveying that knowledge to others training others on trend analysis and notification processes helping others to apply that knowledge to improve processes and or products. Responsible for problem definition, measurement, analysis, improvement and control of processes, products and equipment using applicable problem solving (i.e., DMAIC) and lean (i.e., kanbans) tools Responsible for recognizing the need for new processes as a result of process observation, analysis and team involvement Responsible for anticipating problems and breakdowns regarding processes based on knowledge acquired from process observation, analysis and team involvement Process capacity, process throughput, costs, etc. in manufacturing processes Works with R&D on effective design, scale-up and transition of new products to manufacturing including both product design and process design Designs new equipment and / or processes to support new and existing technologies Learn process, chemistry and equipment quickly to lead problem solving activities using a systematic approach. Responsible for devising and implementing plans to in order to improve process flow / output by using Lean Manufacturing concepts Will train, direct daily activities and verify accuracy of work performed by others for project completion. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.

Experience

2 - 5 years related experience in a comparable role. Knowledge of process production activities in a chemical or mechanical manufacturing environment. Knowledge of basic problem solving tools (DMAIC) and lean manufacturing concepts (kanbans, kaizen, 5S).

Additional Qualifications

Must be able to work in a cross functional environment. Must be able to make well-grounded decisions and assessments using quality and engineering tools in a timely manner. Excellent problem-solving skills. Understanding of SPC and the ability to implement appropriate metrics and monitoring. Experience with successful continuous quality improvement implementations and Lean Initiatives and participate in kaizen events and support the changes identified by the kaizen team. Must be able to plan projects that will operate in the short term, medium term and long term, balancing timelines, analyses, etc. Able to manage multiple projects at the same time. Must be able to specify a future state improvement and devise the actions required to achieve the goal. Expert computer skills (MS WORD / EXCEL) required; ability to program macros in Visual Basic preferred. Training in APICS, ASQ or related business organizations (such as Six Sigma, Lean) preferred.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Why Avantor?

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people’s lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom’s voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency

The expected pre‑tax pay for this position is $86,000.00 - $138,000.00. Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.