Production Engineer

Role details

Position Summary

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The Production Engineer – High-Speed Batchmaking is a technically skilled, hands-on manufacturing position responsible for the safe, efficient, and accurate production of coatings and related chemical products within a high-speed manufacturing environment.

This position represents an evolution of the traditional batchmaker role, combining chemical and engineering knowledge, advanced manufacturing technology, process control, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement with hands-on production responsibilities.

The Production Engineer will operate and optimize high-speed batching equipment, automated process controls, material handling systems, and associated manufacturing technology while ensuring products are manufactured in accordance with established formulations, quality standards, production schedules, and safety requirements.

The successful candidate will possess a strong technical foundation in engineering, chemistry, chemical processing, or a related scientific discipline and will be comfortable applying that knowledge directly on the manufacturing floor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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High-Speed Batch Manufacturing

• Manufacture coatings and related chemical products according to established formulas, batch tickets, standard operating procedures, and production schedules.
• Operate high-speed batching, mixing, dispersion, pumping, transfer, and material-handling equipment.
• Accurately charge raw materials according to established formulas and sequencing requirements.
• Monitor temperature, agitation, mixing speed, viscosity, weight, pressure, time, and other critical process parameters.
• Utilize automated manufacturing systems and process controls to monitor and manage batch production.
• Complete production documentation and electronic batch records accurately and in real time.
• Coordinate with Filling, Material Handling, Quality Control, Scheduling, and other manufacturing functions to maintain efficient product flow.

Process Engineering & Technical Support

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• Apply engineering and/or chemistry principles to understand and control manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate process conditions and identify opportunities to improve batch cycle time, throughput, consistency, quality, and equipment utilization.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues involving equipment, raw materials, process conditions, formulas, or operating procedures.
• Identify abnormal process conditions and take appropriate corrective action within established operating parameters.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality Control, R&D, Engineering, Maintenance, and Continuous Improvement personnel to resolve production issues.
• Assist with manufacturing trials, new product introductions, process changes, scale-up activities, and equipment commissioning.
• Provide technical feedback regarding manufacturability and opportunities for process improvement.

Quality & Process Control

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• Ensure batches are manufactured according to established specifications and quality requirements.
• Understand the relationship between raw materials, processing conditions, and finished-product performance.
• Perform or support in-process testing and sampling as required.
• Work closely with Quality Control when adjustments or additional testing are required.
• Identify process deviations and participate in root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate raw-material, batch, lot, and process documentation to support product traceability.

Continuous Improvement

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• Identify opportunities to reduce batch cycle time, material loss, rework, downtime, and process variation.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze production performance and recommend improvements to equipment, processes, work instructions, and manufacturing methods.
• Support efforts to improve gallons produced per labor hour and overall manufacturing capacity.
• Assist in establishing standardized work and best practices for high-speed batchmaking operations.
• Help transition manufacturing processes from operator-dependent practices toward standardized, repeatable, data-driven processes.

Equipment & Technology

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• Operate computerized and automated manufacturing systems used to control production equipment.
• Understand equipment operating parameters and recognize abnormal operating conditions.
• Perform routine equipment inspections and basic troubleshooting.
• Coordinate with Maintenance when mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, or automation support is required.
• Participate in equipment upgrades, automation improvements, and implementation of new manufacturing technologies.
• Maintain a clean and organized production environment utilizing established 5S principles.

Safety & Environmental Responsibility

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• Perform all work in accordance with company safety policies, OSHA requirements, environmental regulations, and established manufacturing procedures.
• Properly handle chemicals, raw materials, and hazardous materials using required personal protective equipment.
• Understand and follow Safety Data Sheets, chemical labeling requirements, and established chemical-handling procedures.
• Identify unsafe conditions and immediately communicate safety concerns.
• Participate in safety meetings, incident investigations, job hazard analyses, and continuous safety improvement activities.
• Demonstrate personal ownership for maintaining a safe manufacturing environment.

Education & Experience

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Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical or scientific discipline.
• Associate degree in Chemical Technology, Process Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline with applicable manufacturing experience may also be considered.
• Previous experience in chemical manufacturing, coatings, paints, adhesives, polymers, resins, specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, or another batch/process manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience with automated manufacturing equipment, PLC-controlled processes, process instrumentation, or manufacturing execution systems is preferred.

Equivalent Experience

Candidates with significant technical manufacturing experience may be considered in lieu of a four-year degree when they demonstrate strong knowledge of chemical processing, automated manufacturing systems, process control, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

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The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude.
• Fundamental understanding of chemistry and/or engineering principles.
• Ability to understand formulas, ratios, weights, measurements, and process calculations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing and process issues systematically.
• Comfort working with computerized and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to interpret operating procedures, technical documentation, batch instructions, and process specifications.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to prioritize production requirements while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Willingness to learn new manufacturing technologies and processes.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to challenge existing processes constructively.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

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This is a hands-on manufacturing position and is not primarily a desk-based engineering role.

The employee must be able to:

• Work for extended periods in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, climb, and perform other activities associated with manufacturing operations.
• Safely handle materials and equipment consistent with established job requirements.
• Wear required personal protective equipment.
• Work around industrial equipment, chemicals, raw materials, noise, and varying environmental conditions.
• Work assigned shifts, including overtime or alternate schedules when required to support production needs.

Specific lifting and physical requirements should be established through the company's job-demand analysis.

Key Performance Expectations

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Performance in this position will be evaluated based on:

• Safety performance
• Batch accuracy and first-pass quality
• Production throughput
• Batch cycle time
• Gallons produced per labor hour
• Schedule attainment
• Reduction of downtime and process variation
• Material yield and waste reduction
• Documentation accuracy
• Equipment utilization
• Process improvement contributions
• Teamwork and cross-functional collaboration