Senior Manufacturing/ Process Automation Engineer

Role details

Senior Manufacturing / Process – Automation Engineer

Location: Phoenix, Arizona (with travel to Elkhart, Indiana)

Company: Supersede

Reports To: Vice President of Engineering

About Supersede

At Supersede, we’re crafting waves of change with sustainable building materials. As a rapidly growing company focused on innovation, circular manufacturing, and environmental stewardship, we transform recycled plastics into high-performance building products that redefine sustainability in the construction industry.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Manufacturing / Process Engineer to lead manufacturing process development, production scale-up, equipment implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives across our operations. This role offers the opportunity to build world-class manufacturing systems from the ground up while helping shape the future of sustainable materials.

Position Overview

The Senior Manufacturing / Process Engineer will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling manufacturing processes for recycled plastic compounding, extrusion, and downstream product fabrication. This position will play a critical role in establishing manufacturing standards, improving operational efficiency, supporting new product launches, and driving continuous improvement throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in plastics manufacturing, process engineering, equipment commissioning, and production operations. This individual will work closely with engineering, production, maintenance, quality, and product development teams to improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance.

This is a highly visible role requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution in a fast-paced startup environment.

The position is based in Phoenix, Arizona and requires travel of up to 30% to Supersede’s manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana for equipment commissioning, process development, production support, and operational improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Process Development

• Lead development, optimization, and scale-up of recycled plastic compounding, extrusion, and downstream manufacturing processes.
• Establish and document standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and manufacturing standards.
• Define process parameters, operating windows, and production controls to ensure consistent product quality.
• Support development and implementation of new manufacturing technologies and equipment.
• Evaluate and improve material flow, process capability, and overall plant productivity.

Equipment & Capital Projects

• Lead equipment specification, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Develop equipment acceptance criteria, commissioning plans, and performance validation protocols.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and uptime.
• Support facility expansion and future manufacturing capacity planning initiatives.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify and implement process improvements that increase throughput, reduce waste, improve quality, and lower manufacturing costs.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and statistical methodologies to drive operational excellence.
• Conduct root cause analysis and corrective action investigations related to process, quality, and production issues.
• Lead Design of Experiments (DOE) and process capability studies to optimize manufacturing performance.
• Establish and monitor key manufacturing performance indicators (KPIs).

Production Support

• Provide technical leadership and support to production teams during daily operations.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, and quality teams to resolve production challenges.
• Support workforce training related to equipment operation, process control, troubleshooting, and best practices.
• Participate in production planning and manufacturing readiness activities for new products.
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Product Development & Commercialization

• Collaborate with R&D and product development teams to transition new products from development into production.
• Evaluate manufacturability of new products and recommend design improvements.
• Support pilot trials, process validation, and production launch activities.
• Assist in development of tooling, fixtures, and process equipment required for product commercialization.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience , emphasis on sheet extrusion, preferably in plastics extrusion, compounding, recycling, or building materials manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience scaling manufacturing processes from development through commercial production.
• Experience leading equipment installations, commissioning, and startup projects.
• Strong understanding of process engineering principles, process control, and manufacturing systems.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven decision making.
• Proficiency in PLC and Logic and Automation protocols.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing and process challenges.
• Experience developing SOPs, process documentation, and operational standards.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% between Phoenix, AZ and Elkhart, IN.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in recycled plastics processing, polymer compounding, or extrusion manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification.
• Experience with manufacturing automation, controls, and process monitoring systems.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and process validation methodologies.
• Experience supporting ISO-certified manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with industrial safety systems, environmental compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Startup or high-growth manufacturing experience.