Freelance Wet Process Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Senior Paint & Powder Coating Process Engineer

Up to $130,485 Base Salary + Relocation Package • Knoxville, TN Area • 100% Onsite

• COMPENSATION: Up to $130,485 Starting Base Salary (commensurate with expertise) + Corporate Benefits
• TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: Initial 30% – 50% travel to existing East Coast manufacturing sites during facility onboarding/ramp-up, reducing significantly once the new Knoxville campus is fully operational
• EXPERIENCE DEPTH: 3–5 years (Level II) OR 6–9+ years (Senior) of manufacturing engineering experience with dedicated technical depth in industrial wet paint and powder coating processes
• TECHNICAL STACK: CAD proficiency, powder coat line optimization, plant layout, Lean manufacturing, and ERP systems (SAP)
• COMPANY PROFILE: Globally recognized, family-owned HVAC equipment OEM celebrating 75+ years of growth, exceptional stability, and a history of reinvestment in its workforce
• REQUIREMENTS: US Citizen or Green Card holder; 2-year Associate Degree required (4-year Engineering Degree preferred)

If you are a Manufacturing Engineer with specialized expertise in industrial paint and powder coating operations, this direct-hire role offers a high-impact seat within a expanding global leader. The employer is a family-owned, $1B+ commercial HVAC and air-movement equipment manufacturer that has been in business for over 75 years. Known for an award-winning culture that heavily reinvests profits back into state-of-the-art facilities, new equipment, and employee development, the company maintains extraordinary career stability (only one single layoff in its 76-year history).

This position sits at the forefront of a multi-million-dollar expansion as the company builds out its campus in the Knoxville, TN area. Serving as the primary subject matter expert for all powder coating and finishing operations, you will lead equipment selection, process design, and line optimization for brand-new, high-efficiency manufacturing systems.

• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME): Provide primary technical leadership, daily troubleshooting, and training for all industrial powder coating, pre-treatment, and finishing operations.
• Lead Capital & Equipment Projects: Identify, justify, specify, and oversee the installation of new coating line equipment, spray booths, curing ovens, and automated material handling systems.
• Drive Process & Line Optimization: Establish operational KPIs, optimize chemical/coating utilization, improve line speeds, reduce scrap, and advance environmental sustainability goals.
• Cross-Functional Design Alignment: Collaborate directly with Product Design Engineering to evaluate parts for finish quality, powder adhesion, and manufacturability.
• Implement Lean & Safety Standards: Lead 5S, safety, and Lean continuous improvement initiatives, authoring standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and line workflows.
• Support Initial Site Ramp-Up: Participate in temporary regional travel (30–50%) to sister facilities during early-phase onboarding and line testing prior to full Knoxville operational launch.

• Level II Requirements: 3 to 5 years of manufacturing engineering experience with active hands-on proficiency in CAD, Lean tools, and industrial finishing systems.
• Senior Level Requirements: 6 to 9+ years of manufacturing engineering experience with deep expertise in powder coat line architecture, advanced plant layout, and SAP/ERP systems.
• Powder Coating Technicality: Proven capability troubleshooting coat thickness, surface pre-treatment chemistries, cure times, conveyor dynamics, and finish quality standards.
• Educational Foundation: Associate Degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related discipline required; 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (BSME, BSIE, or similar) strongly preferred.
• Travel & Relocation Readiness: Willingness to travel 30%–50% during initial ramp-up phases and relocate to the Knoxville, TN area within a 6-month window (relocation assistance provided).
• Work Authorization: Must be a US Citizen or Green Card holder.

Please apply here or at impactsolutions.com/opportunities where you can see and apply for any of our open positions.

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