Process Engineer

Job Title:

Process Engineer (Manufacturing Environment)

Job Description

The Process Engineer designs, analyzes, and optimizes manufacturing processes to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality in a hands-on shop floor environment. This role focuses on driving continuous improvement, implementing Lean manufacturing principles, and establishing standardized processes across production areas. The Process Engineer also plays a key role in building and sustaining a Lean-driven culture while supporting new product launches and site growth.

Responsibilities

+ Design and optimize workstations and workbenches to improve ergonomics, efficiency, and safety on the shop floor.

+ Conduct detailed time studies and analyze work content to identify bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.

+ Perform waste analysis and apply Lean tools to eliminate non-value-added activities and reduce variation.

+ Develop and execute line balancing strategies to improve throughput and flow across production lines.

+ Conduct capacity analysis to support current production needs and future growth or scaling initiatives.

+ Lead and support continuous improvement projects to enhance process performance and operational effectiveness.

+ Develop, implement, and maintain standard work and detailed work instructions for manufacturing processes.

+ Create, update, and improve process documentation to ensure consistency and clarity across the shop floor.

+ Support implementation and sustainment of 5S initiatives across production areas to maintain organized, efficient work spaces.

+ Train and coach teams on Lean principles, standard work, and continuous improvement methodologies.

+ Help establish and reinforce a culture of accountability, process discipline, and continuous improvement.

+ Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, production, and other stakeholders to drive process improvements.

+ Contribute to building structure, processes, and systems from the ground up where needed, particularly in evolving or growing operations.

+ Participate in the design and improvement of tooling and shop floor layouts to support safe and efficient operations.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in Engineering (required).

+ 5+ years of experience in manufacturing process engineering.

+ Strong hands-on experience working directly on the shop floor and improving real-world processes.

+ Proven experience implementing Lean manufacturing principles, including 5S, standard work, waste reduction, and other Lean tools.

+ Experience creating and improving standard work, work instructions, and process documentation.

+ Experience conducting time studies and using the results to drive process improvements.

+

Experience with line balancing to optimize throughput and resource utilization.

+

Experience with workstation and workbench design focused on ergonomics, safety, and efficiency.

+ Strong understanding of engineering processes and process-driven manufacturing environments.

+ Ability to lead or support continuous improvement initiatives and projects.

+ Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a data-driven approach.

+ Effective communication skills, with the ability to work closely with shop floor personnel and cross-functional teams.

+ Comfortable working fully onsite on a 1st shift schedule.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience building or transforming a Lean culture from the ground up.

+ Background in leading cross-functional improvement projects.

+ Experience training or coaching teams on Lean principles and continuous improvement methods.

+ Exposure to capacity planning and production scaling activities.

+ Experience creating or improving tooling and shop floor layouts to support Lean flow.

+

Experience with process engineering, continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, engineering, and project management.

+ Industry Background in discrete manufacturing is helpful, though the role is open to candidates from a variety of manufacturing industries.

+ Comfort working in an environment that combines a small, family-owned feel with the backing of a larger national organization.

+ Ability to operate effectively in a growing site environment, including supporting new product launches and building structure where needed.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite, five days per week, with no remote work option, and operates on a 1st shift schedule. The Process Engineer works primarily on the shop floor in a manufacturing environment, closely engaging with production teams and equipment to implement process improvements. The facility combines a small, family-owned atmosphere with the resources and stability of a larger national organization, offering a collaborative and hands-on culture.

The site is in a growth phase, launching new products and expanding operations, which provides opportunities to build processes, systems, and Lean culture from the ground up. The environment emphasizes safety, ergonomics, and organization, supported by 5S and other Lean practices, and…