Associate Engineer

Job Description:GENERAL FUNCTIONThe Shields Process Engineer is responsible for technical ownership of the shields manufacturing process to ensure stable, capable, safe, and cost-effective production that meets quality, yield, productivity, and customer requirements. This role bridges day-to-day production support and longer-term process improvement/industrialization work-partnering closely with Operations leadership, Process Technicians, Quality, Safety, Facilities/Maintenance, and internal/external suppliers. The Process Engineer leads structured problem solving, process control and capability improvements, supports new equipment/product introductions (development, validation, and industrialization), and drives continuous improvement through data-driven methods.MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES* Serve as the primary technical owner for assigned shields production processes, ensuring process control, stability, and adherence to specifications and control plans* Partner with Operations leadership to achieve key production KPIs (yield, productivity, cycle time, scrap, coating usage, and customer service)* Provide hands-on engineering support to troubleshoot complex process/equipment issues; lead root cause analysis and implement robust corrective/preventive actions* Identify, prioritize, and execute opportunities to improve safety, quality, yield, throughput, and cost using Lean/Six Sigma tools, statistical methods, and experimental approaches* Analyze process data to diagnose drivers of variation, yield loss, downtime, and coating usage; develop dashboards/metrics and communicate results effectively* Establish and improve process documentation (SOPs, work instructions, process control plans) and support change management and periodic audits* Support industrialization for new products, process changes, and equipment, ensuring readiness for production* Act as a role model for safe behaviors, ensuring engineering solutions align with EHS requirements* Provide technical coaching and guidance to Process Technician and production teams; help build troubleshooting and process discipline capability* Maintain strong floor presence and responsiveness to production needs; occasional off-shift/weekend support may be required based on business demandsBASIC QUALIFICATIONS* Bachelor"s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or related) or equivalent combination of education* Minimum 3 years of process/manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment* Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and solve problems using structured methods* Working knowledge of process control concepts (standard work, control plans, capability, variation reduction) and continuous improvement fundamentals.* Comfortable working in/around manufacturing chemicals* Proficiency with MS Office, especially Excel-based analysis and reporting.* Strong communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative, open-minded, and able to influence without authority.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS* 5+ years manufacturing/process engineering experience in coatings, cleanroom, chemical processing, or similar high-discipline environments.* Demonstrated Lean/Six Sigma application (Green Belt/Black Belt)* Statistical analysis experience (e.g., JMP) and ability to apply DOE, SPC, and capability studies in production settings.