Manufacturing Process Engineer

About the job Manufacturing Process Engineer

Manufacturing Process Engineer

Location: Waterloo, Iowa
Employment Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Compensation: $90,000 - $95,000 base salary
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package
Relocation: Midwest relocation considered
Openings: 1

Position Overview

HireNow Staffing is confidentially partnering with a heavy industrial manufacturing operation in Waterloo, Iowa seeking a seasoned Manufacturing Process Engineer to drive measurable performance improvements across production operations.

This role requires a technically strong, hands-on engineer who understands how to translate process analysis into real-world manufacturing improvements. The ideal candidate has demonstrated stability in prior roles and a proven ability to support both production teams and product engineering initiatives. Candidates with frequent short-term employment history will not be considered.

This is a fully onsite position requiring close collaboration with operations, tooling, and design teams.

Core Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Efficiency

• Evaluate current production methods to identify bottlenecks and process constraints.
• Implement measurable improvements to cycle time, scrap reduction, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Develop standardized work instructions and refine machine setup procedures.
• Drive waste reduction initiatives across manufacturing lines.

• Partner with Product Design to ensure manufacturability of new and revised products.
• Provide technical feedback during design reviews to improve production feasibility.
• Support transition of new processes, equipment, and tooling into full production.

• Oversee tooling performance including molds, dies, fixtures, and gauges.
• Support troubleshooting of tooling-related production issues.
• Coordinate modifications and continuous improvement updates to tooling systems.

• Lead root cause investigations related to quality issues and production inefficiencies.
• Analyze production data to detect trends and recommend corrective action.
• Monitor and improve key process metrics such as yield, scrap, downtime, and cost per unit.

• Manage assigned engineering projects from planning through implementation.
• Ensure initiatives are delivered within defined scope, timeline, and budget.
• Support safety, compliance, and quality standards across operations.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related discipline).
• Proven manufacturing or process engineering experience within an industrial production environment.
• Experience supporting manufacturability reviews in collaboration with product design teams.
• Hands-on exposure to tooling systems such as molds, dies, fixtures, and gauges.
• Demonstrated project execution experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Stable employment history with demonstrated tenure.
• Ability to work 100% onsite in Waterloo, Iowa.

• Experience in die casting or heavy industrial manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to APQP, PFMEA, and structured process documentation systems.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
• Background in high-volume production operations.
• Proven ability to drive cost reduction and operational efficiency projects.

• Bring an operational mindset beyond theoretical engineering.
• Are comfortable working directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Communicate effectively with production, tooling, and engineering teams.
• Take ownership of projects and drive measurable results.
• Value long-term growth and stability within a manufacturing environment.

• No manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• Design-only engineering background without plant exposure.
• No tooling exposure.
• Unwilling to work onsite.
• Unstable work history with multiple short-term roles.