Partners Personnel Santa Barbara

Process Engineering Manager Summary of Functions

The Process Engineering Manager is responsible for leading and developing a team of Process Engineers while providing technical leadership and ownership of manufacturing processes, process controls, equipment, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position ensures that manufacturing methods, processes, and equipment are effectively developed, implemented, maintained, and optimized to meet quality standards, customer specifications, safety requirements, and production goals.

The Process Engineering Manager provides leadership, direction, mentorship, and technical guidance to the Process Engineering team and is responsible for the training and development of process engineering personnel. This role maintains technical oversight of continuous production operations with a focus on maximizing equipment uptime, improving efficiency, maintaining consistent quality, and ensuring safe manufacturing practices.

The manager will lead cross-functional efforts involving new product development, production integration, process optimization, equipment upgrades, and the sourcing, installation, and integration of new manufacturing equipment. The position will identify opportunities for continuous improvement, recommend enhancements to process controls, reduce scrap and costs, improve yield and overall equipment effectiveness, and ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet or exceed safety, quality, and customer expectations.

The Process Engineering Manager serves as the technical resource for the Process Engineering team and provides guidance, problem-solving support, and leadership on complex manufacturing and process-related issues.

Roles and responsibilities are subject to change with or without advance notice.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Process Engineers responsible for executing process engineering activities across a broad range of manufacturing operations.
• Provide technical leadership for manufacturing processes, process control and optimization, scrap reduction, ERP integration, engineering trials, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Establish department priorities, objectives, and performance expectations while mentoring and developing Process Engineering personnel.
• Develop and implement safe, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes, methods, controls, and equipment platforms.
• Research, design, develop, test, and implement manufacturing processes, production workflows, raw material specifications, and equipment specifications.
• Recommend and implement improvements to manufacturing processes, methods, controls, and production systems.
• Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing configurations, Bills of Materials (BOMs), routes, work instructions, and control plans using manufacturing engineering best practices.
• Analyze product and process performance to identify opportunities for cost reduction, scrap reduction, yield improvement, cycle-time reduction, and increased Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead or support PFMEA, Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA), statistical analysis, and other structured problem-solving activities related to manufacturing processes, equipment, products, and controls.
• Coordinate engineering trials and process validation activities to ensure new and modified processes meet established requirements.
• Support the conversion of small-scale processes into commercially viable, scalable production operations.
• Coordinate manufacturing launches for new or revised products, processes, equipment, and manufacturing methods.
• Lead equipment upgrades and support the sourcing, evaluation, installation, commissioning, and integration of new manufacturing equipment.
• Prepare Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) requests and manage assigned projects to ensure completion on schedule and within approved budgets.
• Represent Process Engineering on cross-functional teams and participate in concurrent engineering and design reviews.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Process Technology, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and other departments to achieve company objectives.
• Respond to customer requirements, technical concerns, and complaints in a timely and effective manner.
• Support internal audit activities and ensure assigned Corrective Action Requests are completed within established timelines.
• Analyze SOPs and business processes to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Mentor and train Process Engineers in data-driven problem solving, statistical analysis, process control, and engineering best practices.
• Ensure manufacturing processes and procedures are designed and operated with employee safety and environmental compliance as priorities.
• Support the development and implementation of safety-focused SOPs and manufacturing practices.
• Assist with safety and environmental issues associated with manufacturing processes, equipment, and engineering projects.
• Provide technical support and guidance to Manufacturing and other department managers.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently while meeting established deadlines.
• Participate in troubleshooting and technical problem-solving during off-hours or production emergencies when required.
• Maintain work areas in a neat, orderly, and safe manner.
• Follow all company safety procedures, including PPE requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
• Minimum of 5 years of process engineering or manufacturing engineering experience; experience with composite materials or aerospace manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership or supervisory experience, preferably managing engineers and/or technicians.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering and manufacturing projects.
• Advanced leadership or management training preferred.
• Strong knowledge of thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems highly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of statistical analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Statistical Quality Control (SQC), process control, project management, RCCA, and FMEA/PFMEA.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma training preferred; Six Sigma Black Belt certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with data-driven problem solving and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems; Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar ERP experience preferred.
• Experience with manufacturing documentation, including BOMs, routings, work instructions, control plans, and process documentation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment, process optimization, and production integration.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal English.
• Ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams, engineers, technicians, production personnel, and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, organized, and professional work environment.
• Ability and willingness to follow all safety procedures and PPE requirements.
• Must be available and willing to work outside normal business hours when operational needs require.

You should be proficient in:

• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering