Sr. Process Engineer

Knowles Corporation; Santa Clarita (CA); Sur place; USD 120 000 - 170 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Knowles Corporation in California seeks a Staff Process Engineer to lead development, optimization, and strategic direction of manufacturing processes for multi-layer capacitor devices. You will drive yield, throughput, quality, cost, and reliability while mentoring junior engineers.

You will collaborate across Engineering, Quality, Operations and Maintenance, implement new technologies, lead CAPA and NPI readiness, and ensure smooth transfer to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• Experience leading complex process improvement and technology implementation.
• Strong knowledge of DOE, SPC, and Six Sigma methodologies.

Responsabilités

• Own and optimize manufacturing processes for yield, throughput, and quality.
• Lead DOE, statistical analysis, and Lean Six Sigma projects.
• Drive automation and standardization to reduce waste.
• Lead root cause investigations and CAPA activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transfer processes to production.

Connaissances

Statistical analysis

DOE

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Root cause analysis

Process control

FMEA

Quality systems

CAPA

Mentor engineers

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical documentation

Formation

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials Science, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related)

Outils

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Description du poste

Job Overview

The Staff Process Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for the development, optimization, and long-term strategic direction of manufacturing processes for multi-layer capacitor devices. This role provides advanced engineering expertise to improve process capability, product quality, throughput, cost performance, and operational reliability. The Staff Process Engineer leads complex process improvement initiatives, supports new technology implementation, mentors junior engineers, and collaborates across Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Maintenance to drive world-class manufacturing performance.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical owner and subject matter expert for assigned manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Lead the development, optimization, and control of manufacturing processes to improve yield, throughput, quality, and cost performance.
• Drive complex process improvement projects utilizing statistical analysis, DOE, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other problem-solving methodologies.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation, process standardization, waste reduction, and productivity improvement.
• Lead root cause investigations for chronic manufacturing issues, customer complaints, quality escapes, and process deviations.
• Analyze process capability and manufacturing performance data to establish improvement roadmaps and support strategic business objectives.
• Develop, qualify, and scale new manufacturing technologies, materials, processes, and equipment from concept through production implementation.
• Lead equipment evaluations, capital project justifications, installation activities, process validation, and production ramp-up efforts.
• Provide technical leadership during new product introduction (NPI), ensuring robust manufacturing readiness and successful transfer to production.
• Collaborate with Front End Engineering, Back End Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to resolve complex manufacturing challenges.
• Establish process control strategies, key performance indicators (KPIs), and monitoring systems to ensure sustainable process performance.
• Author and approve technical documentation, including process specifications, SOPs, work instructions, control plans, FMEAs, validation protocols, and engineering reports.
• Support and lead risk assessments, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in Daily Management (DM) meetings, production reviews, and leadership discussions, providing technical direction and escalation support.
• Design and optimize manufacturing layouts, material flow, and production workflows to support business growth and operational efficiency.
• Support supplier qualification activities and collaborate with vendors on equipment and process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials Science, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related discipline).
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience, preferably within electronics, ceramics, semiconductor, medical device, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex manufacturing process improvement and technology implementation projects.
• Strong expertise in statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), process capability analysis, SPC, and root cause problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement principles; Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Experience supporting capital equipment selection, installation, qualification, and process validation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and manufacturing data analysis tools.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent CAD software.
• Strong understanding of process control methodologies, risk assessments, FMEA, and quality systems.
• Ability to influence decisions and drive results across multiple functions without direct authority.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and technical documentation skills.
• Proven ability to lead projects, mentor engineers, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience in multilayer ceramic capacitor, ceramic processing, thin film, semiconductor, or electronic component manufacturing is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to observe small components through the use of a microscope
• Mental and visual acuity necessary to perform duties
• Effective coordination of manual dexterity
• Effective concentration and coordination