Surface Enhancement Batch Process Engineer

Job Description Summary

The Surface Enhancement Process Engineer is responsible for peening and other surface enhancement processes in a manufacturing environment. Peening processes include surface treatment with steel, glass, and ceramic media. Tumble processes include abrasive media tumble, fatigue tumble and isotropic superfinish tumble. Coating processes include DFL (dry film lubricant) utilizing moly or graphite-based coatings. Responsible for design, development, process control, and productionized environment of coating compressor vanes and rotors for dovetail surfaces.

The role coordinates with operators, technicians, maintenance, and certifying agents daily to ensure processes are running within specified parameters. The role identifies process improvement opportunities and is responsible for ideation through execution of these projects. This includes working directly with equipment vendors for new equipment procurement and on-site implementation. The role has some autonomy but is focused on execution of activities within an operating discipline covered by standard functional practices and procedures.

Some judgment may be required but this is typically with guidance.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Processes include peening, tumble, coating, and support into NDT operations.
• Define process to prepare substrate materials through cleaning methods such as grit blasting, surface roughening, laser etching, etc.
• Process engineering and problem-solving skills to support related production capabilities and throughput goals.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and improve entire cleaning, recycling, coating, and inspection process.
• Stay informed about the latest developments in coating, peening, and surface finishing materials and their applications.
• Conduct thorough inspections and quality control tests on coated surfaces using methods such as microscopy, hardness testing, thickness measurement, and adhesion testing.
• Ensure that coatings meet required specifications and quality standards.
• Identify and address issues that arise during the coating process, such as defects, adhesion, or equipment malfunctions.
• Adhere to safety protocols and environmental regulations while working with high-temperature processes and potentially hazardous materials.
• Maintain accurate records of process parameters, coating specifications, quality control results, and other relevant data.
• Prepare detailed reports for documentation and project communication.
• Design and develop coating processes for various materials and applications.
• Conduct experiments and analyze data to refine coating parameters and achieve desired outcomes with support of internal and external laboratories
• Train and mentor operators and technicians on coating technologies, operation, and best practices
• Define and control production process including tooling and equipment. Validate design specifications and shop floor application of new product, tools, or equipment. Includes Manufacturing Engineers.
• Developing in-depth knowledge of a technical discipline. Uses prior experience and acquired technical expertise to execute policy/strategy.
• In-depth understanding of key business drivers; uses this understanding to accomplish own work. In-depth understanding of how work of own team integrates with other teams and contributes to the area.
• Uses some level of judgment and has ability to propose different solutions outside of set parameters but with guidance. Uses prior experience and on-the-job training to solve straightforward tasks. Has access to technical skills and analytic thinking required to solve problems. May use multiple internal sources outside of own team to arrive at decisions.
• A job at this level is likely to be an individual contributor with proven interpersonal skills or an early people leader who can hire and develop talent. Provides informal guidance to new team members

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree accredited college or university (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years of experience in process engineering experience)

Desired Characteristics

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve…