Position Summary
The Process Engineer is the technical owner for assigned aerospace plating and finishing processes and is responsible for
developing robust, repeatable and specification-compliant methods for precision machined components. This position bridges
Engineering, Quality and Operations and must combine practical shop-floor plating knowledge with disciplined aerospace
documentation. The engineer will improve process capability, develop technique sheets and master routings, solve chronic
quality problems, support new-product introduction and ensure operators have clear, controlled instructions rather than
relying on tribal knowledge.
Essential Responsibilities
" Provide technical ownership and continuous improvement for hard chrome plating, cadmium plating, electroless nickel,
masking, Chemfilm/chemical conversion coating, passivation, Nital Etch and associated cleaning, activation, stripping,
baking and surface-preparation operations.
" Develop, validate and maintain detailed process/technique sheets and master routings for existing and new aerospace
products, including operation sequence, specification/revision, critical parameters, masking boundaries, tooling,
inspection points and required records.
" Translate customer drawings, purchase orders and aerospace specifications into clear, executable shop-floor instructions
in partnership with Planning and Quality.
" Engineer plating methods for precision machined parts with attention to dimensional build-up, plating allowance, ID/OD
requirements, runout, edge effects, current density, anode design, racking/fixturing and post-plate machining/grinding
considerations.
" Develop and optimize masking methods, plugs, fixtures, racks, auxiliary anodes, thieves/shields and other tooling needed
for repeatable plating results.
" Establish and control critical process parameters including bath chemistry, temperature, current density, amperage,
voltage, plating time, agitation, filtration, solution movement and rectifier capability.
" Perform process capability and root-cause analysis for adhesion failures, thickness variation, burning, pitting, nodules,
roughness, porosity, corrosion/salt-spray failures, hydrogen-embrittlement risk and other special-process defects.
" Partner with laboratory/chemical-control personnel on bath analysis, additions, contamination control, tank maintenance
and corrective actions.
" Support Nadcap Chemical Processing readiness, audits, corrective actions, objective evidence and compliance to
approved procedures and customer requirements.
" Support AS9100 implementation through process risk analysis, configuration/document control, change management,
verification/validation, control of nonconforming output and objective evidence.
" Support NDT interfaces where process sequences require Magnetic Particle or Liquid Penetrant inspection before/after
processing.
" Lead new-product introduction and first-article/process-readiness reviews; identify technical risk before releasing
production.
" Establish standard times and process assumptions with Operations/Estimating using actual shop data to improve quoting,
capacity planning and job costing.
Dixon Hard Chrome | Aerospace Special Processing | Quality " Delivery " Operational Excellence
" Design or specify process equipment improvements including rectifiers, filtration, agitation, pumps, heating/cooling,
tanks, tooling and instrumentation.
" Train and mentor plating technicians, maskers, supervisors, planners and inspectors on process requirements and
technical fundamentals.
" Lead structured corrective action using 5-Why, fishbone, DOE/SPC or other appropriate analytical methods and verify
effectiveness.
" Drive first-pass yield, process capability, cycle-time reduction, reduced rework/scrap and improved repeatability.
" Support customer/OEM technical reviews, frozen planning, specification interpretation and process approval activities.
" Maintain technical discipline around current specification revisions and ensure engineering changes are reviewed before
implementation.
Required Qualifications
" 5+ years of process/manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace metal finishing, electroplating, chemical
processing or a directly comparable special-process environment.
" Hands-on technical knowledge of hard chrome plating and cadmium plating is required; strong experience with electroless
nickel, masking and aerospace chemical processing is highly desirable.
" Working knowledge of Chemfilm/chemical conversion coating, passivation and Nital Etch processes; candidate must be
capable of rapidly owning these process families.
" Experience processing precision machined aerospace components where plating thickness, dimensional tolerance,
masking boundaries and post-processing are critical.
" Demonstrated ability to interpret aerospace drawings, specifications, process standards and customer requirements and
convert them into controlled manufacturing instructions.
" Knowledge of plating chemistry, electrochemistry, current density, rectification, anode/cathode relationships, solution
control, agitation, filtration and process troubleshooting.
" Experience developing technique sheets, work instructions, routings, process plans or equivalent controlled
manufacturing documentation.
" Working knowledge of Nadcap Chemical Processing expectations and aerospace QMS discipline.
" Strong root-cause analysis, statistical/problem-solving and technical-writing skills.
" Ability to work directly on the manufacturing floor with technicians and supervisors and translate engineering requirements
into practical methods.
Preferred Qualifications
" Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or
related technical discipline; directly relevant plating engineering experience may be considered.
" Experience with Client, AMS, MIL, ASTM, customer/OEM special-process specifications or comparable aerospace
requirements.
" Experience with AS9100 implementation or maintenance.
" Experience supporting Nadcap Chemical Processing audits.
" Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, DOE/SPC experience or similar process-improvement training.
" Experience with ERP routings, Power BI, Minitab or comparable analytical/manufacturing systems.
Key Performance Indicators
" First-Pass Yield / Process Defect Reduction
" Rework and Scrap Reduction
" Technique Sheet / Master Routing Completion and Accuracy
" Process Capability / Parameter Control
" New-Product Introduction Readiness
" Corrective Action Effectiveness
Dixon Hard Chrome | Aerospace Special Processing | Quality " Delivery " Operational Excellence
" Nadcap / AS9100 Technical Compliance
" Cycle-Time and Throughput Improvement
" Standard-Time / Job-Cost Accuracy
" Technician Training and Process Knowledge Transfer
Leadership / Working Expectations
This is a hands-on, floor-visible position. The successful candidate is expected to lead with urgency, technical credibility,
accountability, disciplined follow-through, and a strong commitment to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous
improvement.
Benefits
PEAK's benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Savings Account (DCA), and 401K plan. PEAK believes that taking care of our team is essential for success and we are proud to provide benefits that enhance both your well-being and your future. Additionally, our associates may be eligible for Paid Sick Leave as required by Federal, State, or local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)
PEAK Technical Staffing is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. PEAK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We encourage all individuals to apply.
Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)
The physical and mental requirements described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
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