Overview
The Plant Engineer is a hands-on manufacturing engineering professional responsible for improving production processes, equipment reliability, operational efficiency, product quality, safety, and manufacturing capacity within a composite manufacturing environment. This position serves as the technical lead for manufacturing equipment, industrial presses, tooling, facilities, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
The Plant Engineer manages all phases of engineering and capital projects from concept development and justification through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, validation, and project closeout. The role works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Leadership to optimize manufacturing performance while supporting production objectives.
This position combines engineering expertise with practical floor-level execution and requires regular participation in troubleshooting equipment, evaluating manufacturing processes, implementing improvements, and supporting day-to-day plant operations.
Essential Responsibilities
Manufacturing Engineering & Process Improvement
· Design, develop, implement, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, workflows, equipment, and production methods.
· Analyze manufacturing operations to identify bottlenecks, waste, quality concerns, capacity constraints, and safety risks.
· Lead root cause investigations for production, quality, equipment, and process-related issues and implement effective corrective actions.
· Develop process documentation including work instructions, process specifications, engineering standards, process flow diagrams, and operating procedures.
· Evaluate manufacturing data, process metrics, downtime trends, scrap rates, and production performance to identify opportunities for improvement.
· Support new product introductions by developing manufacturing methods, tooling requirements, process validation plans, and production readiness activities.
· Collaborate with production personnel to improve safety, quality, throughput, labor efficiency, and equipment utilization.
Equipment, Tooling & Technical Support
· Provide engineering support for industrial presses, curing systems, material handling equipment, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, tooling, automation systems, and facility infrastructure.
· Participate in troubleshooting complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and process-related equipment issues.
· Evaluate equipment performance and develop engineering solutions to improve reliability, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
· Design or coordinate modifications, upgrades, rebuilds, and retrofits of production equipment and tooling.
· Support preventative and predictive maintenance programs through reliability engineering principles and equipment performance analysis.
· Review equipment specifications and recommend replacement, upgrade, or expansion opportunities.
Project Management
· Manage engineering and capital projects from concept through completion.
· Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, risk assessments, resource plans, and implementation strategies.
· Coordinate activities with vendors, contractors, suppliers, maintenance personnel, and internal stakeholders.
· Prepare capital expenditure requests, cost-benefit analyses, ROI evaluations, and project justifications.
· Oversee equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, startup, and acceptance testing activities.
· Monitor project progress and ensure deliverables are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and according to specifications.
· Maintain project documentation including schedules, drawings, contracts, change orders, and commissioning records.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
· Lead Lean Manufacturing, 5S, waste reduction, process optimization, and productivity improvement initiatives.
· Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies including Root Cause Analysis, Fishbone Analysis, 5 Why, PDCA, and corrective action processes.
· Identify and implement automation opportunities that improve efficiency, consistency, quality, and safety.
· Support development and tracking of operational KPIs related to productivity, quality, downtime, throughput, scrap, and OEE.
· Participate in strategic planning for future manufacturing capabilities, equipment requirements, and facility expansion.
Quality & Compliance
· Ensure engineering solutions support quality standards, customer requirements, and manufacturing specifications.
· Participate in internal audits, corrective actions, process validations, and quality improvement initiatives.
· Maintain compliance with OSHA regulations, environmental requirements, electrical standards, and company safety policies.
· Support engineering documentation and change management processes.
Leadership & Collaboration
· Serve as a technical resource for production, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams.
· Train and mentor operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel on equipment operation, troubleshooting, process controls, and best practices.
· Promote effective communication, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
· Support off-shift and weekend troubleshooting, project execution, and startup activities as required.
Knowledge
· Manufacturing engineering principles and industrial production systems.
· Composite manufacturing processes, compression molding, industrial presses, curing systems, and related production technologies.
· Mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and automation systems.
· Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and process optimization methodologies.
· Industrial project management principles and capital project execution.
· Engineering drawings, technical specifications, schematics, P&IDs, and CAD systems.
· Root cause analysis, statistical process control, and manufacturing data analysis.
· OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout requirements, machine guarding, and industrial safety standards.
Skills
· Advanced manufacturing process engineering and problem-solving skills.
· Strong project management and organizational abilities.
· Equipment evaluation, troubleshooting, and reliability improvement expertise.
· Technical writing and documentation development.
· Process mapping, workflow analysis, and capacity planning.
· Cost analysis, budgeting, and capital justification development.
· Proficiency with CAD software, Microsoft Office applications, and engineering analysis tools.
· Strong communication and collaboration skills across all organizational levels.
· Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Abilities
· Analyze complex manufacturing and equipment issues and develop practical engineering solutions.
· Work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
· Lead projects and influence outcomes without direct supervisory authority.
· Translate business objectives into actionable engineering initiatives.
· Balance short-term production needs with long-term operational improvements.
· Effectively communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
· Perform hands-on equipment evaluations, testing, troubleshooting, and implementation activities in a manufacturing environment.
Minimum Qualifications
· Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
· Five (5) or more years of manufacturing engineering experience in an industrial production environment.
· Experience managing engineering, process improvement, and capital projects.
· Experience supporting manufacturing equipment, tooling, and production systems.
· Proficiency reading engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
· Experience in composite manufacturing, advanced materials, plastics, aerospace, defense, automotive, or related manufacturing industries.
· Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement training.
· Experience with industrial presses, hydraulic systems, automation systems, PLC-controlled equipment, and manufacturing process development.
· Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management experience.
Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements
· Follow all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout procedures, and environmental compliance requirements.
· Properly use required PPE and safely operate tools, machinery, and diagnostic equipment.
· Identify, report, and correct unsafe conditions and hazardous work practices.
· Participate in safety investigations, risk assessments, and corrective action activities.
· Work in industrial manufacturing environments with exposure to moving machinery, electrical systems, noise, heat, vibration, dust, chemicals, and varying temperatures.
· Maintain clean and organized work areas in accordance with housekeeping and 5S standards.
· Participate in required safety training, emergency response procedures, and incident reporting activities.
Pay: $92,000.00 - $124,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you completed a Bachelor's of Science in Engineering?
- Provide your awarded degree major
Work Location: In person
