Process & HSE Engineer

Position Summary:

The Plant Process/HSE (Health, Safety, and Environmental) Engineer reports directly to the Plant Manager. This position serves a dual purpose: providing technical manufacturing and process engineering support to the Operations team and supporting the entire facility by ensuring compliance with HSE legal requirements and Cooper Standard policies and procedures.

Primary Responsibilities:

Process Engineering & Operations Support

* Study, analyze, and implement improvements to manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and cost performance.

* Implement engineering change requests (ECRs).

* Serve as an operational liaison for non‑compliance issues and participate in 8‑D problem‑solving teams.

* Support the preventive maintenance program.

* Reduce manufacturing costs through continuous process improvement initiatives.

* Conduct time studies and apply industrial engineering techniques.

* Redesign plant layout to support changes in business needs.

* Support ergonomic evaluations and improvements.

* Provide technical support and guidance to the manufacturing floor and daily operations.

* Facilities & Capital Projects

* Coordinate facility upgrades through licensed external contractors.

* Interface with outside equipment and service suppliers.

* Review and approve plant capital projects for HSE considerations.

* Prepare budgets and justifications for HSE‑related capital investments.

* Recommend and manage the HSE operating budget.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Leadership

* Provide technical expertise and ownership to drive continuous improvement in occupational health, safety, and environmental matters.

* Serve as the technical authority for HSE legal requirements and recommend best practices, tools, processes, and initiatives to plant leadership.

* Recommend safety and environmental KPIs and evaluate trends to support data‑driven decision‑making.

* Advise frontline teams on HSE matters and provide tools and training to enable ownership of workplace safety.

* Partner with operations to ensure Job Hazard and Risk Assessments (JHRAs) are completed for routine and non‑routine work and that identified risks are effectively managed.

* Lead applications, amendments, and compliance activities for environmental permits, licenses, and authorizations, including coordination of follow‑up actions and recordkeeping.

* Serve as the primary interface with regulatory authorities, both verbally and in writing.

* Develop and maintain plant HSE procedures, standards, and guidelines, ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly understood and adhered to.

* Maintain HSE management systems and documentation (safety & health, environmental, energy management).

* Ensure required HSE data (incident reports, environmental metrics, etc.) is accurately and timely entered into corporate systems.

* Lead and support cross‑functional incident investigations and develop plant‑wide competency in investigation methodologies.

* Lead the effective "read‑across" of incidents occurring at other locations.

* Act as the local champion for regional or global HSE initiatives.

* Serve as a role model for safe personal practices and demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety.

Quality, Compliance & General Responsibilities

* Adhere to all corporate and plant rules, regulations, and policies.

* Support teamwork and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

* Support quality system requirements and assist in achieving and maintaining QS‑9000 / IATF‑16949 certification.

* Support environmental management system compliance and assist in achieving and maintaining ISO 14001 certification.

* Perform other duties as required to support plant objectives.

Education and

Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in engineering, or a related field

* Five (5) plus years of process engineering and HSE experience in a manufacturing environment.

* Strong understanding of manufacturing techniques, preferably in automotive or automotive‑related manufacturing.

* Working knowledge of machine principles, including hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical systems, and electrical controls.

* Ability to read and interpret customer product drawings.

* Knowledge of…