Thermoforming Process Engineer

Sub-Zero Group; Fitchburg (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) with match

On-site clinic

Job summary

Sub-Zero Group in Fitchburg, WI is seeking an experienced Thermoforming Process Engineer to join our Manufacturing Engineering team on site. You will lead start-up of thermoforming and trimming processes for thick gauge plastics and drive process improvements.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in plastics forming in manufacturing, hands-on tool design, and familiarity with lean methods. You will collaborate cross-functionally to sustain production performance and safety.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree with hands-on plastics forming experience in manufacturing.
• Strong analytical skills using standard software (Excel) and data analysis to validate improvements.
• Experience leading teams and driving process improvement in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead start-up of thermoforming and trimming processes for thermo-formed parts.
• Provide technical operations support for thermoforming and trimming manufacturing problems.
• Utilize Lean methods for process improvements and coach for sustainment.
• Identify opportunities for plant operational improvements and implement countermeasures.
• Assist with plant facilities and production equipment maintenance to sustain production.

Skills

Analytical skills

Lean manufacturing

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CNC programming

Robotics

Maintenance work order systems

Job description

Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, the leading manufacturer of luxury kitchen appliances is a longstanding, family-owned company in the Madison WI area. Icons of design and paragons of performance and quality, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove are the refrigeration, cooking, and dishwashing specialists found in world’s most luxurious homes. We look for team members who are driven by innovation and excellence, striving to serve our customers by doing what is right—with integrity, teamwork, and accountability.

Growth and development are important aspects of this position. Whether you aspire to be a leader or a technical expert, this position will set you up for success in the future.

We are seeking a motivated individual with an analytical approach to provide technical leadership as we grow our manufacturing capacity and capabilities. This role will lead our efforts in the thermoforming and plastic trimming processes and is an on-site position at our Fitchburg, WI campus.

Primary Responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced Thermoforming Process Engineer with a hands‑on approach to provide subject matter expertise as a member of the Manufacturing Engineering team.

This role will be responsible for the start‑up of forming and trimming processes for thermo‑formed parts. The ideal candidate will have experience in the forming (vacuum and pressure) of thick gauge thermoplastics, tool design and qualification, part work holding methodologies, and plastics trimming technologies.

This role will be responsible for maintaining production performance as well as seeking out and executing on continuous improvement opportunities.

Responsibilities include:

• Specify, purchase, install, and start‑up new assets for fabrication of thermo‑formed parts.
• Provides technical operations support for Thermoforming and Trimming manufacturing problems.
• Assess training needs of technical support staff and develop plan to address areas of need.
• Utilizes Plan, Do, Check and Adjust methodology for managing daily improvement (MDI).
• Capable of recognizing opportunities for improvement and generating a list of ideas for annual plant operational improvement.
• Utilizes lean methods (Kaizen) for process improvements and utilizes daily coaching for sustainment.
• Utilizes operational data to make informed decisions on a daily basis.
• Ensures layered audits are completed as scheduled and implements countermeasures to safeguard goal attainment.
• Provides engineering support and resources to sustain plant production including assisting with plant facilities and production equipment maintenance.
• Financial acumen for data analysis of trends and tendencies, tenacity in the performance of the tasks within the role, and continuous improvement (Lean Management).
• Corrects safety related issues and leads investigations on safety related topics.

Required Qualifications:

• Engineering degree and 7+ years hands‑on plastics forming experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with thick plastic sheet extruding
• Experience conducting layered audits
• Knowledge of CNC programming or robotics
• Previous experience leading teams and driving process improvement
• Ability to work collaboratively and cross functionally

We value our employees by providing:

• Competitive compensation based on skills
• Industry leading health, dental, and vision plans
• Generous 401 (K) savings and profit sharing
• On-site UW Health clinic, fitness center, and walking paths
• Education assistance and internal training programs
• Electric vehicle charging
• Maternity & paternity leave

This position requires a pre‑employment drug/alcohol test and background check, which will be administered after a conditional job offer is extended. A negative drug/alcohol test result is required for employment. Refusal to take the test or a positive result may disqualify a candidate from further consideration. All drug testing will be conducted in accordance with federal and state laws.

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Engineering.

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

Strong analytical skills using standard software packages such as Excel and maintenance work order systems to identify opportunities and validate holding improvement gains

Demonstrated collaborative ability in dynamic organizational environments

Must be results oriented with a high energy level for process and performance improvement

Technical experience to include process support and working/hands‑on knowledge of thick gauge sheet thermoforming

Lean Methodologies or Continuous Process Improvement required

7+ years of manufacturing experience in technical roles with a strong emphasis on safety

Preferred

Experience with robotics (Fanuc preferred)

Knowledge of GD&T ANSI Y14.5 and basic metrology methods

Experience in functional safety lifecycle including: risk assessments, functional safety design, risk reduction and system validation processes

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.