Position SummaryThe Process Engineer is responsible for managing, monitoring, and optimizing chemical and related processes within an automotive paint manufacturing environment. This position applies knowledge of paint-shop processes, chemical management, process chemistry, quality systems, and manufacturing operations to ensure customer requirements, production targets, and documented process parameters are consistently achieved.
The Paint Process Engineer works closely with customer production, paint-shop, quality, maintenance, engineering, and supplier personnel to identify process opportunities, troubleshoot chemical and application issues, reduce chemical consumption and waste, and implement continuous improvements. The position requires a strong understanding of automotive paint processes and the ability to translate process data and chemistry into practical manufacturing solutions.
Responsibilities/Duties:- Interface directly with automotive paint-shop personnel to support effective chemical and process management programs.
- Monitor and optimize automotive paint processes and associated chemical systems to maintain production, quality, environmental, and customer requirements.
- Support paint-shop processes including, as applicable, pretreatment, cleaning, conversion coating, e-coat, sealers, primers, basecoat, clearcoat, paint application, and associated process chemistry.
- Develop, maintain, and optimize process operating parameters, control plans, work instructions, and chemical procedures in coordination with customer and site personnel.
- Manage chemical systems within established customer, supplier, and corporate operating parameters.
- Perform and/or coordinate required chemical testing, process sampling, titrations, laboratory analysis, and production-floor measurements.
- Monitor process conditions and trends to identify potential quality or production issues before they impact the customer.
- Troubleshoot paint-process defects, chemical excursions, application issues, and process variation, utilizing structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Analyze process data and identify opportunities to improve paint quality, first-time-through performance, chemical consumption, material utilization, and overall process cost.
- Work with site personnel to reduce chemical usage, paint waste, rework, scrap, and process-related losses.
- Ensure effective chemical application, concentration, replenishment, and usage throughout assigned paint processes.
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions associated with chemical and paint-process issues.
- Participate in customer quality, production, engineering, and continuous-improvement teams.
- Apply formalized systematic problem-solving tools such as 5-Why, fishbone analysis, PDCA, Pareto analysis, and other appropriate methodologies.
- Coordinate technical service activities with chemical, equipment, paint, and process suppliers.
- Identify, communicate, and follow up on supplier performance issues affecting paint-shop operations.
- Coordinate and support on-site and off-site technical and process training for customer and company personnel.
- Identify and implement continuous process improvements aligned with customer manufacturing objectives and plant performance.
- Work with appropriate customer personnel to maintain and improve chemical delivery systems, process equipment, dosing systems, filtration, pumps, tanks, instrumentation, and other paint-process support equipment.
- Research, investigate, and respond to Requests for Service and customer process concerns.
- Support process trials, chemical conversions, product evaluations, and new process implementations.
- Assist with new product/process launches and process validation, including review of technical requirements, operating parameters, documentation, and chemical compatibility.
- Maintain accurate process documentation, test results, trend data, and technical reports.
- Communicate process conditions, issues, recommendations, and action plans to the Program Manager and appropriate customer leadership.
- Receive chemical deliveries as required and verify materials comply with established corporate, customer, and site requirements.
- May perform or supervise physical chemical additions, material movement, and other activities necessary to maintain process operation.
- Supervise and provide technical direction to assigned technicians within their respective areas.
- Support development and growth of technicians and other assigned personnel.
Knowledge, skills and abilities:- Strong knowledge of automotive paint-shop manufacturing processes and process chemistry.
- Understanding of automotive coatings and related chemical processes, including pretreatment, e-coat, sealing, primer, basecoat, clearcoat, and paint application systems.
- Understanding of paint-shop process variables and their relationship to appearance, adhesion, corrosion protection, film build, cure, color, defects, and overall coating quality.
- Strong chemical testing, analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret process data, identify trends, and make data-driven process recommendations.
- Strong understanding of chemical handling, process control, and industrial manufacturing practices.
- Ability to identify root causes of process variation and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively work with customer production, engineering, quality, maintenance, management, contractors, suppliers, and company personnel.
- Ability to manage and prioritize a high volume of technical and operational activities in a production environment.
- Demonstrates strong attention to detail, accuracy, follow-through, and accountability.
- Demonstrates flexibility and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.
- Accepts technical challenges and proactively identifies opportunities for process improvement.
- Demonstrates leadership and supervisory capabilities.
- Effectively trains, coaches, and develops assigned personnel.
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and/or Chemistry/Biology/Biochemistry and/or preferred.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of previous experience in chemical management.
- Minimum 3 years' experience in contract construction, negotiation, and application.
Work Environment: Ability to handle multiple priorities and demands in a fast paced environment. This job operates in a manufacturing environment. This role requires presence on the manufacturing floor and a significant amount of walking on concrete surfaces. This role also routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets. Ability to work in team fostered environment. Ability to work in multi-tasked environment. Strong personality and focus in fast-paced and demanding environments. Ability to adapt to change quickly and multi-task.
Physical Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time in front of computer
- Ability to stand for prolonged periods and walk within very large industrial environments
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Travel: Overnight travel may be required - less than 5%
Other Duties:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
