Staff Engineer - Process Engineering
Role: Staff Engineer, Process Engineering
Location: Greater Chicago Area (On-Site)
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Compensation: Competitive base salary plus annual incentive opportunity
About the Opportunity
A leading employee-owned industrial manufacturer is seeking a Staff Engineer to support process engineering, manufacturing improvements, and capital project execution within a high-volume production environment. This individual will lead continuous improvement initiatives and oversee significant manufacturing and facility enhancement projects while collaborating closely with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Facilities teams.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead engineering and capital improvement projects supporting manufacturing operations and production systems.
* Design, evaluate, and improve industrial processes including surface finishing, coating systems, vacuum technologies, waste treatment systems, material handling equipment, and manufacturing automation.
* Conduct feasibility studies, pilot testing, process evaluations, equipment selection, engineering calculations, and development of process specifications.
* Develop process quality standards, establish operating parameters, investigate process failures, and implement corrective actions.
* Prepare project budgets, schedules, procurement documents, and engineering documentation for capital projects.
* Support plant layout development, field surveys, CAD updates, construction oversight, equipment commissioning, and startup activities.
* Coordinate internally with production and maintenance teams as well as externally with engineering firms, contractors, and equipment vendors.
* Establish preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for newly installed equipment and systems.
Required Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
* 10+ years of progressive experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations engineering, maintenance engineering, quality engineering, or related industrial environments.
* Experience leading capital projects with budgets exceeding $1 million.
* Strong knowledge of process systems, process controls, automation, material handling systems, and manufacturing equipment.
* Experience with equipment commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and process optimization.
* Ability to develop engineering calculations, P&IDs, specifications, equipment schedules, and technical documentation.
* Working knowledge of ISO 9001 quality systems.
* Experience using structured problem-solving methodologies such as DMAIC, Root Cause Analysis, 5-Why, A3, or 8D.
* Strong communication, project management, and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with statistical analysis software such as Minitab, R, or SPSS.
* Familiarity with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Ideal Backgrounds
* Chemical Manufacturing * Industrial Manufacturing * Heavy Manufacturing * Coatings & Surface Finishing * Specialty Chemicals * Industrial Water/Wastewater * Metals Processing * Electrical Equipment Manufacturing * Automation & Process Industries
Physical Requirements
* Frequent walking throughout manufacturing facilities.
* Occasional standing for extended periods.
* Occasional lifting and carrying of light objects.
* Ability to inspect equipment and processes in manufacturing environments.
* Combination of office-based and plant-floor work.
FAQs
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