Position Summary
We are seeking a senior-level, hands-on Manufacturing / Process Engineer to support production equipment and processes at our Jackson manufacturing facility. This role is centered on the production floor: observing how machines run, diagnosing equipment and process problems, adjusting and optimizing manufacturing processes, and working directly with operators and maintenance to resolve issues. The successful candidate brings sound engineering judgment and practical equipment knowledge, and can lead technical problem-solving without relying on a team of engineers to do the hands-on work.
Key Responsibilities
- Work directly on the production floor to observe equipment performance, identify abnormalities, diagnose root causes, and implement practical solutions.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing machinery and processes, including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and related equipment/process issues.
- Support injection molding and plastics manufacturing processes, including machine setup, process parameters, tooling and mold changeovers, and production troubleshooting.
- Partner with operators, maintenance, and production leadership during machine setup, changeovers, start-ups, and daily production support.
- Support equipment commissioning, installation, process trials, qualification/validation, and resolution of start-up issues.
- Improve process capability, cycle times, scrap rates, downtime, equipment reliability, and overall production performance.
- Investigate recurring process or equipment failures using structured root-cause analysis; develop, test, and sustain corrective actions.
- Collaborate on new product introduction, tooling trials, manufacturing readiness, and process development.
- Use appropriate manufacturing data and methodsincluding SPC, DOE, Lean practices, and CAPAto guide improvements.
- Provide technical leadership, hands-on coaching, and clear operating/process instructions for production teams.
Qualifications & Experience
- Substantial hands-on experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or equipment engineering in an industrial production environment.
- Demonstrated ability to inspect a machine in operation, diagnose equipment or process issues, and personally participate in troubleshooting and resolution.
- Practical experience with machine setup, changeovers, process optimization, commissioning/start-ups, and production-floor support.
- Experience with injection molding, plastics processing, mold tooling, and mold changeovers strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of mechanical systems and manufacturing equipment; exposure to hydraulics, pneumatics, pumps, valves, or fluid-handling equipment is valuable.
- Experience applying root-cause analysis and process improvement methods to reduce defects, downtime, scrap, or cycle time.
- Ability to communicate effectively with operators, maintenance technicians, and manufacturing leaders and provide technical direction.
- Engineering or related technical education is valued; equivalent directly relevant hands-on manufacturing experience will be considered.
What Success Looks Like
- Diagnoses and resolves production equipment and process issues with urgency and sound technical judgment.
- Improves equipment/process stability and measurable production outcomes.
- Builds trust on the production floor through practical support and technical coaching.
Role Focus
This is a hands-on technical engineering positionnot primarily a Quality Manager, audit/QMS administrator, office-based project manager, or maintenance technician role. Quality systems and people management experience are useful, but direct machine/process troubleshooting and production support are the primary requirements.
