Manufacturing Process Engineer – Non

Manufacturing Process Engineer - Non-Woven (TSE)

Danville, VA — Reports to Department Manager

About BGF Industries

BGF Industries is a leading U.S. manufacturer of innovative technical fiber materials used worldwide in aerospace, marine, automotive, filtration, insulation, electrical, and protective markets. Since 1941, BGF has built a reputation for engineering excellence, product integrity, and continuous innovation.

Headquartered in Danville, Virginia, with multiple manufacturing facilities across Virginia and South Carolina, BGF delivers advanced fiber‑based solutions that meet demanding performance standards for strength, heat resistance, and durability.

“Deliver excellence in every product, every process, every time.”

The Process Engineer’s role is critical to ensuring that BGF’s nonwoven manufacturing operations run safely, reliably, and efficiently, delivering consistent product quality while fostering continuous improvement. This individual will provide technical expertise in process development and troubleshooting, work cross‑functionally with R&D, quality, production, and customers, and help drive innovation in nonwoven mat technologies and manufacturing methods.

• Collaborate with internal teams (R&D, Quality, Sales/Marketing, Operations) and customers to define, refine, and document product and process specifications.
• Support business and technical strategy by evaluating emerging nonwoven, fiber, adhesive, film, and bonding technologies and recommending adoption or trials.
• Represent BGF at industry conferences, technical symposiums, and trade fairs; maintain networks with suppliers, academic institutions, and technology providers.
• Provide direct technical support to customer sites as needed, assisting in performance troubleshooting or process optimization.
• Monitor and evaluate new materials (fibers, binder systems, films, additives) and associated equipment/technologies; coordinate vendor interactions for trials or supply.
• Recommend and implement process improvements (throughput, waste, cost, quality control) via modifications, controls, or process redesigns.
• Work hands‑on with production operators to diagnose and resolve processing issues (web break, fiber migration, defects, tension control, bonding issues).
• Collaborate with Quality and Customer Service to investigate, root‑cause, and respond to customer claims or quality incidents.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments (Design of Experiments / DOE) and statistical analyses to optimize process parameters.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee plant trials; collect, validate, and interpret experimental data.
• Analyze results, draw actionable conclusions, and present findings (written reports, trend charts, visualizations, oral presentations).
• Assist in the selection, specification, procurement, and implementation of new or upgraded process equipment and instrumentation.
• Ensure safe working practices, adherence to EHS standards, and continuous safety improvement in assigned areas.
• Perform supporting tasks as assigned by management, including:
• Create or maintain cost capture / throughput models and item setups in production systems.
• Develop and document new process setups, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and transfer‑to‑production documentation.
• Provide technical feedback or guidance to customers as applicable.

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Textile Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Advanced degrees (M.S., M.Eng) or specialization in nonwovens/textiles are a plus.

• 1‑5 years (or equivalent via co‑op/internship) in process engineering or technical roles, preferably in nonwoven, fiber, textile, or related process industries.
• Hands‑on experience with industrial nonwoven processes (needling, bonding, laminating, slitting, winding, coating) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with DOE, statistical process control (SPC), root‑cause analysis, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Proficiency with DOE methodologies and statistical / data analysis tools (Minitab, JMP, R, Python, or equivalent).
• Sound process…