Manufacturing Process Engineer
Salary: $90,000-$100,00
Shift: 6am-4:30pm Monday- Thursday, off Friday-Sunday
Confidential Direct-Hire Opportunity | Hickory, NC Area
ProStaffing is recruiting for a hands-on Process Engineer to improve manufacturing performance, solve production challenges, and lead process and capital improvement projects in a growing manufacturing environment.
Position Overview
This role combines production-floor problem solving with long-range engineering support. The Process Engineer will work directly with operators, maintenance, engineering, quality, and leadership to create safer, more efficient, and repeatable manufacturing processes. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between hands-on troubleshooting, data analysis, equipment and tooling improvements, and project leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Improve Manufacturing Processes
- Develop and implement practical improvements that increase throughput, capacity, quality, and consistency.
- Perform time studies, workflow reviews, and capacity analysis to identify constraints and improvement opportunities.
- Reduce cycle time, setup time, scrap, rework, and other non-value-added activity.
- Design or improve tooling, fixtures, workstations, equipment layouts, and production methods.
- Maintain and update work instructions and standard operating procedures as processes change.
- Lead 5S, visual workplace, and lean manufacturing activities.
Troubleshoot and Solve Problems
- Provide hands-on support for equipment and process issues on active production lines.
- Use structured root-cause methods such as 5 Whys and corrective/preventive action planning.
- Partner with operators and technical teams to implement permanent solutions rather than temporary fixes.
- Support quality investigations, internal audits, mistake-proofing, and process-control improvements.
Lead Continuous Improvement and Projects
- Plan and lead continuous improvement projects, Kaizen activities, value stream mapping, and waste-reduction efforts.
- Measure results through improvements in yield, scrap, equipment effectiveness, labor efficiency, and production flow.
- Support capital projects from concept and justification through installation, startup, and validation.
- Coordinate with vendors and internal departments to keep technical projects on schedule.
Support New Products and Technical Development
- Help move new products from prototype or development stages into full production.
- Ensure manufacturing processes are scalable, repeatable, and ready for sustained production.
- Work closely with CNC and other manufacturing teams to support manufacturability and part availability.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching, and support to engineers and production personnel.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- At least five years of progressive engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to work directly with production equipment and processes.
- Experience using CAD software, preferably SolidWorks, for tooling, equipment, or layout design.
- Experience leading process improvement initiatives and technical projects.
- Strong analytical, communication, documentation, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
- Ability to spend the majority of the workday in an active manufacturing environment.
- Commitment to safe work practices and responsible decision-making.
Preferred Experience
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- 3D modeling and 3D printing experience.
- Electronics, controls, or industrial equipment troubleshooting experience.
- Experience supporting CNC machining or closely related manufacturing operations.
- Background in new product introduction, process validation, or manufacturing scale-up.
Work Environment and Expectations
- Approximately 75% of the role is spent supporting production-floor activity, with the remaining time focused on planning, analysis, documentation, and project work.
- Occasional travel of up to 10% may be required for vendor coordination or multi-site projects.
- Employment is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
This is a confidential search managed by ProStaffing. Qualified candidates will receive additional company and position details during the interview process.
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