Process Engineer 3

Process Engineer III (NPI)

Full Time + Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k with Company Match, PTO)

Job Type: Onsite

Salary Range: $93,000 - $130,000, DOE

Location: Poway, CA

Job Summary

The Process Engineer III (NPI) serves as the technical lead responsible for transitioning new customer designs into successful production within an advanced ceramics manufacturing environment. This role collaborates closely with customers, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to ensure manufacturability, process readiness, quality compliance, and successful product launches for critical Aerospace & Defense, Medical Device, and Semiconductor Fabrication and Processing applications.

The NPI Engineer evaluates product designs, develops manufacturing strategies, coordinates prototype and qualification builds, and ensures seamless integration of new products into production while meeting customer, regulatory, and industry standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Under minimal supervision, must be able to perform a variety of job duties including, but not limited to:

• Lead the introduction of new products from quotation and design review through production release.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between customers and internal manufacturing teams during new product development.
• Coordinate prototype, first article, pilot, and qualification builds.
• Develop project timelines and track product launch milestones to ensure successful implementation.
• Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and product revisions throughout the product lifecycle.
• Evaluate product designs for manufacturability (DFM) and identify opportunities to improve yield, quality, and production efficiency.
• Manage urgent escalations from prototype and worldwide fielded components and support long-term issue investigation and resolution.
• Develop manufacturing process flows for advanced ceramic heater assemblies.
• Establish and validate manufacturing processes including:
  • Slurry mixing
  • Tape casting
  • Screen printing
  • Layer fabrication and lamination
  • Ultra-high temperature ceramic processing
  • Imaging and photolithography
  • Chemical etching, plating and finishing operations
  • Surface preparation and cleaning
  • Soldering and brazing
  • Electronic component assembly and wire attach
  • Inspection and testing processes
• Support risk analysis, process validations, equipment qualifications, and capability studies.
• Generate manufacturing instructions, routers, travelers, and process documentation.
• Coordinate activities among Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Program Management teams.
• Facilitate design reviews and launch readiness meetings.
• Identify and mitigate technical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain risks associated with new product launches.
• Provide technical guidance and training to manufacturing personnel regarding new processes and product requirements.

• Follow all safety standards and procedures, including PPE requirements for a manufacturing environment.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area using safety standards and expectations
• Other duties as needed or assigned by supervisor.

Required Skills

• Must have excellent written and verbal skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business information. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to manage and solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized and complex situations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documents.
• Strong knowledge of quality processes within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Suite for tracking, reporting, and data management.
• Must have knowledge to apply complex use of databases/spreadsheets.
• Must have solid analytical skills and solution-driven thinking. Able to use large amounts of data to make strategic decisions.

• Ability to apply continuous improvement and lean principles to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Experience with KPI tracking, performance metrics, and data analysis to support operational improvements.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management and new product introduction methodologies.
• Excellent project management and problem-solving skills.
• Direct experience in advanced ceramic manufacturing.
• Knowledge of ceramic heaters.

• Experience with SPC, DOE, FMEA, Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Understanding of environmental regulations and chemical handling requirements within manufacturing operations.

Preferred Skills

• Six Sigma Green belt or Black Belt Certified.
• Experience in aerospace, semiconductor, medical and automotive industry.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelors (B.S.) degree in manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or related field and five (5) to seven (7) years of related experience.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Experience managing ERP systems (e.g., Made-2-Manage).
  • Experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, and/or ISO 13485 Standards.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent use of hands for handling small components and tools requiring manual dexterity ability.
• Ability to perform similar operations and tasks for 6 to 8 hours.
• Ability to sit and stand for 6 to 8 hours.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to bend and reach for 6 to 8 hours.

Working Conditions

• Work performed indoors in a temperature controlled environment frequently.
• Required use of PPE including safety glasses, gloves, and safety-toed footwear.

• While performing the duties of this job, will regularly be exposed to moving high-speed machinery and mechanical parts. Will occasionally be exposed to machine oils and hazardous materials.
• Travel 10% as required.

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the successful candidate must be a "U.S. person" as defined in the ITAR and EAR (which generally means (i) be a citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) be a lawful permanent resident of the United States; or (iii) have been admitted to the United States as a refugee, or have been granted asylum, as specified under applicable law.

All offers of employment at Fralock are contingent upon clear results of a background check. Background checks may include some or all the following depending on job title and responsibilities:

• Social Security Verification
• Prior Employment Verification
• Criminal History
• Personal and Professional References
• Motor Vehicle Records
• Credit History