Global Process Engineer Sr - Thermal Processing

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Global Process Engineer Sr - Thermal Processing

As the Global Process Engineer Senior, you will be responsible for collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and other staff to understand and increase manufacturing capabilities, increase yields, improve process flow, increase productivity and maximize work force utilization. You'll bring your subject matter expertise in high temperature thermal processing and focus on vacuum furnaces, vacuum hot presses, and CVD reactors in a manufacturing environment.

You will be essential to strengthen our cost position by managing all aspects of strategically significant and technically complex improvement projects for new and existing manufacturing processes.

• Responsible for problem solving activities of complex issues that involve firing processes and associated equipment.
• Key interface with manufacturers that supply thermal processing equipment to the company from specification setting through implementation and commissioning.
• Utilize experience and a strong understanding of ceramic manufacturing techniques and equipment to improve current or develop new manufacturing processes to meet customer requirements.
• Act as internal consultant providing technical guidance on projects.
• Lead cross functional teams to execute complex projects that have a substantial impact on business operations, utilizing structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Track project status and results, providing reports to stakeholders.
• Remove and elevate project barriers, as well as develop and implement recovery plans for off‑schedule and unanticipated eventualities.
• In conjunction with Facility Engineering, identify process improvement opportunities, build business cases, and launch project teams using good project management to oversee team activities.
• Identify critical integration issues with other projects/processes and coordinate the improvements with the appropriate project/process owners to accomplish the project goals.
• Understand statistical analysis tools/methodology, project management, Lean Six Sigma, quality and basic financial principles and apply them to analyze the planned activities.
• Is pro‑active, analytical, process driven, with a strong focus on understanding and exceeding the expectations of the customer.
• Perform tasks utilizing knowledge of other functions that provide inputs regularly, i.e. Research and Development, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Engineering and Operations.
• Customer interface as required to support Commercial.
• Works with managers to align work to corporate objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Ceramic Engineering or related engineering discipline

• A minimum of seven years of Engineering experience applying engineering skills/methodologies in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in thermal processing of materials
• A minimum of two years of experience leading successful improvement projects.

• Experience in high temperature firing of ceramics.
• Experience with vacuum furnaces highly desired.
• Experience performing mass and heat balance calculations.
• Knowledge of refractory materials and insulation systems.
• Knowledge of ceramic material properties and methods of material analysis.
• Experience commissioning equipment for large capital projects.
• Prior training in Lean manufacturing techniques, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, and traditional manufacturing practices.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification a plus
• Project Management certification a plus
• Performs detail‑oriented tasks utilizing very strong analytical skills
• Team player with good leadership skills, effective communication with all levels to maintain relationships and cooperation in pursuing the Business unit’s goals in the completion of assigned projects
• Must be able to work with a diverse variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds.