Principal Manufacturing Process Engineer — Precision Gearing

Shape the future of precision gears with Reliance Gear Corporation At Reliance Gear Corporation, we build mission-critical gears to exacting standards for customers who can't compromise on performance. As our Principal Manufacturing Process Engineer — Precision Gearing, you’ll guide process strategy and stay hands-on with the details that make world-class gears possible.

A day in this role

Your morning starts on the floor, reviewing last-shift SPC charts and gear inspection results. You huddle with process engineers to prioritize projects, then head to a CNC cell to refine a hobbing program and tooling setup. By lunch, you’re collaborating with Production, Quality, and Supply Chain to remove a bottleneck. In the afternoon, you update a Control Plan, lead a PFMEA review, and validate a process change that extends tooling life and cuts scrap.

Before you leave, you capture learnings in robust work instructions so improvements stick.

What you’ll own Provide technical leadership to process engineers: mentoring, code reviews, technical deep-dives, and project prioritization.

Design and refine routings, process plans, tooling specifications, and CNC programs for gear hobbing, shaping, and grinding.

Interpret metrology data and gear inspection reports to diagnose issues and implement corrective actions.

Partner across Production, Quality, and Supply Chain to protect schedules and resolve technical barriers.

Drive CI initiatives to reduce scrap, increase throughput, lengthen tool life, and control cost.

Author and maintain PFMEAs, Control Plans, work instructions, and SPC documentation.

Ensure alignment with AGMA, ISO 9001, AS9100, and customer requirements.

Support manufacturing quotations; evaluate, implement, and validate capital equipment.

What you’ll bring

Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Background in gear process engineering or precision gear manufacturing.

Expertise in CNC programming, gear cutting and grinding, GD&T, gear inspection, and understanding of heat treatment effects.

Proven experience building processes, selecting tooling, and leading continuous improvement.

Analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving strengths with clear communication across functions.

Manufacturing quotation experience preferred.

Meticulous documentation habits and attention to detail.

Compensation and benefits

Annual Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000

Health insurance:
Medical, Vision, Dental and Life Insurance Retirement: 401(k) plan

Paid time off:
Vacation, PTO, 10 Paid Holidays Tools and techERP Software You should be proficient in Bachelor's Degree Troubleshooting SkillsCNC Programming Process Engineering Six Sigma Experience Aerospace Manufacturing Regulatory and eligibility information

Due to export control requirements (ITAR/EAR), some roles may be limited to U.S. Persons as defined by law, or require licensing to authorize employment in this position.

We also participate in employment eligibility verification and follow relevant federal and state regulations.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship to obtain or keep U.S. work authorization.

Compliance Notice:
Reliance Gear is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment practices. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, or any other legally protected status. This position is subject to employment eligibility verification under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and may require a background check in accordance with Illinois law.

All records and practices are maintained in compliance with HIPAA, FMLA, OSHA, and other relevant regulations.