Process Engineer - Continuous Improvement

AstenJohnson is the leader in technical fabrics. Our drive to provide the best products and service in our industry is fueled by our associates and their drive to innovate. We want our associates to build careers here and become part of the fabric of our 230 year old company. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a workplace built on respect and purpose.

JOIN OUR WACO PLANT AS A PROCESS ENGINEER and be part of a team that keeps production moving safely and efficiently. This role offers a steady schedule, hands-on work, and the chance to contribute to a facility that values reliability, teamwork, and doing the job right. We offer paid holidays and vacation time, a robust Employee Assistance Program, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a retirement savings plan with company contribution, and a wellness program that helps offset medical expenses, along with opportunities to build skills and grow within the company.

General Scope of Duties:

Under the supervision of the Waco Manufacturing Team Leader, the Process Engineer is responsible for the continual improvement of our processes and products, the quality control, and will participate in technical and new product development. There could be potential to lead improvement projects in all areas of the business by applying Lean Six Sigma tools. This individual will regularly collaborate with the technical leader, the manufacturing team leader, the production team leaders, and the operators at all levels. This position will also give the opportunity to collaborate with other sites in the USA and the Product Management Team. This person must know each step of the production process of our products from raw materials through to a finished product.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Drive a safety culture based on accountability, trust, and care for your teammate.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, positive attitude, and cooperation with fellow associates.
• Maintain product conformance in line with the quality standards.
• Establish the disposition of non-conform products or solve production problem.
• Provide manufacturing process support.
• Lead improvement projects to increase machines efficiency and reduce costs.
• Collaborate with the digital Champion group to drive digitalization on the site.
• Investigate customer complaints and quality concerns, identify root causes and corrective actions, and serve as the primary customer quality contact.
• Promote an innovative and change-friendly workplace receptive to new ideas.
• Participate and lead innovation projects.
• Become an expert for line troubleshooting.
• Provide sales technical support when needed.
• Maintain ISO 9001:2015 compliance, coordinate audits, and maintain the quality management system.
• Ensure high-quality laboratory analysis.
• Possible travel to other sites for technical support.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Engineering or technical degree in electrical, chemical, mechanical, textile, or physics. Bachelors degree is preferred.
• Analytical nature. Data driven.
• Ability to lead projects and teams effectively.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Deep knowledge of controls and drives is an asset.
• Knowledge of the nonwoven / needle punch process is a plus.
• Previous experience in product development and process improvement is a plus.
• Ability to interact with multi-disciplinary team members effectively.
• Excellent technical oral and written communication skills in English. Bilingual Spanish is preferred.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to Manufacturing Team Leader

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Company-paid basic life insurance, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability.
• 401(k) with company match for eligible associates.
• Supplemental coverage for critical illness, accidents, and hospitalization.
• Employee Wellness Program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Zero Accident Culture (ZAC).
• Paid holidays and vacation.

Effort & Working Conditions: Normal work environment allows the associate to sit comfortably and move about freely, not confined to a workstation. There may be some need to lift moderately heavy articles. The physical environment is clean and climate-controlled within a partitioned workstation. There is frequent involvement in the manufacturing environment. Sensory attention is required to read reports, do keyboarding. The associate has frequent customer contact and normal business travel including the supervision of equipment installation.

We are an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.