Machine Learning Engineer Jobs in Cookeville, TN

Patrick Industries, a publicly traded company headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, invites you to join a team of dedicated Team Members who are passionate about delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. As a leading solutions provider serving a diverse range of markets across the United States, our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability has positioned us as a high growth, diversified and empowered Team of more than 10,000! Your adventure awaits!

TACO Metals, empowered by Patrick Industries, is seeking an Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager. The Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager is responsible for supporting the technical, operational, and leadership functions of TACO Metals' Plastics Manufacturing Department. This role combines hands-on extrusion engineering expertise with manufacturing operations leadership to ensure efficient production, high product quality, continuous improvement, and workforce development. Working closely with department leadership, the position supports extrusion process optimization, new product launches, production management, employee development, capital planning, and operational excellence while preparing for increased leadership responsibilities within the organization.

Responsibilities & Duties:

Extrusion Engineering & Process Optimization

• Develop, implement, optimize, and troubleshoot plastic extrusion processes to improve efficiency, quality, and throughput
• Design, evaluate, and improve extrusion tooling, dies, and downstream equipment
• Establish and maintain process parameters, operational standards, and manufacturing documentation
• Evaluate raw materials, resins, and additives for performance, compatibility, and manufacturability
• Support new product development activities, prototype trials, and production launches
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to quality, process performance, and equipment reliability

Production Management & Manufacturing Operations

• Support daily manufacturing operations across all shifts to meet customer requirements and production targets
• Assist with production scheduling and monitor manufacturing performance metrics
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve uptime, throughput, efficiency, and scrap reduction
• Maintain manufacturing standards including BOMs, work instructions, operating procedures, and process documentation
• Coordinate activities between Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain teams
• Ensure operational objectives are achieved while maintaining safety and quality expectations

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Provide technical training, coaching, and mentorship to extrusion operators and production employees
• Support employee development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer initiatives
• Assist with workforce management activities and daily production team support
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork
• Develop leadership capabilities to support future departmental management responsibilities
• Promote employee engagement and effective communication throughout the manufacturing operation

Equipment Reliability & Maintenance Support

• Partner with Maintenance to support preventive maintenance programs for extrusion equipment and related systems
• Assist in troubleshooting equipment issues and developing corrective actions
• Evaluate equipment performance and recommend improvements to increase reliability and productivity
• Support equipment upgrades, installations, and operational readiness activities
• Participate in capital planning and equipment replacement initiatives
• Ensure manufacturing equipment operates safely and efficiently

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, quality, cost performance, and operational efficiency
• Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Evaluate emerging extrusion technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods
• Support waste reduction, process improvement, and cost-control programs
• Monitor production metrics and recommend actions to improve business performance
• Promote best practices throughout manufacturing operations

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements
• Support quality management initiatives and corrective action activities
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized manufacturing environment
• Promote safe work practices and employee compliance with established procedures
• Participate in audits, inspections, and compliance-related activities
• Support continuous improvement of safety and quality performance metrics

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on extrusion experience may be considered
• 3+ years of experience in plastic extrusion, polymer processing, or related manufacturing environments
• Strong knowledge of extrusion processes, tooling, dies, downstream equipment, line setup, troubleshooting, and process optimization
• Experience evaluating polymer materials, resins, additives, and manufacturing processes
• Experience supporting new product development, production launches, and manufacturing improvement initiatives
• Leadership experience or demonstrated leadership potential preferred
• Exposure to production scheduling, workforce supervision, and manufacturing operations management preferred
• Familiarity with ERP systems, manufacturing documentation systems, and production reporting tools preferred
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, and operational excellence initiatives preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain teams
• Ability to work within a manufacturing environment and support plant-floor operations
• Ability to travel up to 10% for training, supplier visits, equipment evaluations, and business-related activities
• Align with Patrick Industries "BETTER Together" mentality by pursuing Balance, Excellence, Trust, Teamwork, Empowerment, and Respect within the organization

At Patrick Industries, BETTER Together is our commitment to being our best while striving to bring out the best in one another as we join forces Individually, as Teams, with our Business Units, with our Customers, our Communities and within our entire Patrick family.

Patrick is an Equal Opportunity Employer.