Smart Work | Network, Inc.
Process Engineering Manager
Smart Work | Network, Inc., Liberty, South Carolina, United States, 29657
The Process Engineering Manager is a key member of our client's site leadership team. This role builds and leads the Engineering function that delivers safe, stable, capable, and scalable manufacturing processes for mission-critical components. You will own process strategy, talent development, and the deployment of rigorous engineering methods that improve quality, cost, delivery, and innovation across the factory.
Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Strategy
* Develop and manage a high-performing organization of 10+ Engineers and Technicians; set vision, standards, and career paths. * Establish an engineering operating system with clear cadences, gemba presence, and action-oriented problem solving. * Create visibility to critical metrics (project funnel/status, Cp/Cpk, FPY, OEE, yield/scrap, DPPM, on-time NPI, cost savings) and drive accountability to targets.
Process Engineering & Control
* Define and maintain process control plans, PFMEAs, work instructions, and standard work to ensure process capability and stability. * Deploy statistical process control (SPC) and advanced analytics to monitor health, detect drift, and trigger corrective actions. * Lead structured root-cause and corrective action (8D, A3, 5-Why) for process excursions and customer/internal escapes.
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Design Transfer
* Participate in cross-functional design reviews to ensure Design for Manufacturability/Assembly/Cost (DFM/A/DFC) and robust process capability requirements. * Own process development and production qualification plans for new equipment and processes (e.g., URS, FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ), including AS9145/APQP deliverables as applicable. * Partner with Product Engineering, Quality, and Operations to achieve predictable ramp, repeatability, and capacity readiness.
Continuous Improvement & Lean
* Build an improvement portfolio aligned to site strategy; prioritize high-impact kaizen and DMAIC projects with Operations and Quality. * Standardize problem-solving, visual management, and line-balance/time studies to remove waste and improve flow.
Capital & Technology Enablement
* Evaluate, prioritize, and justify capital expenditures with robust business cases; lead vendor selection, installation, and release to production. * Advance digital/automation capabilities (MES/SPC systems, advanced Excel; Minitab/JMP or similar) to elevate process insight and decision making.
Financials, Compliance & Safety
* Achieve financial objectives (productivity, cost reduction, budget adherence) for area of responsibility. * Ensure compliance with AS9100/AS9145, APQP/PPAP where required, and applicable ITAR/export-control requirements. * Apply knowledge of relevant MIL-STDs and customer specifications; support internal/external audits. * Champion EHS best practices and ergonomic/ESD controls within the production environment.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise Required
* BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial, or related). * 10+ years progressive experience in Process Engineering, Product Engineering, or Operations within electronics components, semiconductor, or similar high-reliability manufacturing. * Proven experience managing multiple direct reports and building technical teams. * Demonstrated project management capability (charter through sustainment); track record of delivering measurable improvements. * Hands-on deployment of Lean/Six Sigma methods; expert use of DOE, SPC, MSA/Gage R&R, PFMEA, Control Plans, and 8D problem solving. * Strong analytical skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office (advanced Excel) and statistical tools (e.g., Minitab/JMP). * Excellent written and verbal communication; able to influence across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Leadership. * Detail-oriented, systems thinker with urgency for action and a focus on the customer.
Preferred
* MS or MBA degree. * PMP and/or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. * Experience with AS9100, AS9145, APQP/PPAP, and familiarity with ITAR requirements. * Working knowledge of MIL-STDs relevant to high-reliability electronic components. * Exposure to MES/SPC software, automation/robotics integration, and advanced data analysis/visualization (Power Query/Power BI, SQL basics).
Work Environment
* Primarily on-site in a manufacturing environment with regular time on the production floor. * Occasional travel to suppliers, other sites, and customers (
Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Strategy
* Develop and manage a high-performing organization of 10+ Engineers and Technicians; set vision, standards, and career paths. * Establish an engineering operating system with clear cadences, gemba presence, and action-oriented problem solving. * Create visibility to critical metrics (project funnel/status, Cp/Cpk, FPY, OEE, yield/scrap, DPPM, on-time NPI, cost savings) and drive accountability to targets.
Process Engineering & Control
* Define and maintain process control plans, PFMEAs, work instructions, and standard work to ensure process capability and stability. * Deploy statistical process control (SPC) and advanced analytics to monitor health, detect drift, and trigger corrective actions. * Lead structured root-cause and corrective action (8D, A3, 5-Why) for process excursions and customer/internal escapes.
New Product Introduction (NPI) & Design Transfer
* Participate in cross-functional design reviews to ensure Design for Manufacturability/Assembly/Cost (DFM/A/DFC) and robust process capability requirements. * Own process development and production qualification plans for new equipment and processes (e.g., URS, FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ), including AS9145/APQP deliverables as applicable. * Partner with Product Engineering, Quality, and Operations to achieve predictable ramp, repeatability, and capacity readiness.
Continuous Improvement & Lean
* Build an improvement portfolio aligned to site strategy; prioritize high-impact kaizen and DMAIC projects with Operations and Quality. * Standardize problem-solving, visual management, and line-balance/time studies to remove waste and improve flow.
Capital & Technology Enablement
* Evaluate, prioritize, and justify capital expenditures with robust business cases; lead vendor selection, installation, and release to production. * Advance digital/automation capabilities (MES/SPC systems, advanced Excel; Minitab/JMP or similar) to elevate process insight and decision making.
Financials, Compliance & Safety
* Achieve financial objectives (productivity, cost reduction, budget adherence) for area of responsibility. * Ensure compliance with AS9100/AS9145, APQP/PPAP where required, and applicable ITAR/export-control requirements. * Apply knowledge of relevant MIL-STDs and customer specifications; support internal/external audits. * Champion EHS best practices and ergonomic/ESD controls within the production environment.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise Required
* BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial, or related). * 10+ years progressive experience in Process Engineering, Product Engineering, or Operations within electronics components, semiconductor, or similar high-reliability manufacturing. * Proven experience managing multiple direct reports and building technical teams. * Demonstrated project management capability (charter through sustainment); track record of delivering measurable improvements. * Hands-on deployment of Lean/Six Sigma methods; expert use of DOE, SPC, MSA/Gage R&R, PFMEA, Control Plans, and 8D problem solving. * Strong analytical skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office (advanced Excel) and statistical tools (e.g., Minitab/JMP). * Excellent written and verbal communication; able to influence across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Leadership. * Detail-oriented, systems thinker with urgency for action and a focus on the customer.
Preferred
* MS or MBA degree. * PMP and/or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. * Experience with AS9100, AS9145, APQP/PPAP, and familiarity with ITAR requirements. * Working knowledge of MIL-STDs relevant to high-reliability electronic components. * Exposure to MES/SPC software, automation/robotics integration, and advanced data analysis/visualization (Power Query/Power BI, SQL basics).
Work Environment
* Primarily on-site in a manufacturing environment with regular time on the production floor. * Occasional travel to suppliers, other sites, and customers (