Process Engineer

Pinnacle Partners, Inc. is hiring a Process Engineer for an onsite role in Ixonia, WI with a hands-on focus on improving manufacturing processes and equipment reliability.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Maintenance and Production to pinpoint recurring equipment failures, downtime, and manufacturing issues.
• Analyze equipment and manufacturing processes to improve reliability, efficiency, and productivity.
• Develop corrective action plans for recurring equipment and process problems.
• Create and implement standard work procedures to increase consistency and efficiency.
• Own assigned projects from initial concept through implementation and startup.
• Work alongside Maintenance during installations, modifications, testing, and equipment startups.
• Provide hands-on support during projects, including physically working with Maintenance when needed.
• Support capital equipment and capital improvement initiatives.
• Assist with equipment upgrades and modifications to improve reliability and production performance.
• Support fixture design, machine guarding, replacement parts, tooling, and process modifications.
• In the first 6 months, focus on improving equipment reliability and eliminating recurring maintenance issues.
• Conduct time studies and capacity reviews to evaluate manufacturing efficiency and resource needs.
• Perform process observations to improve workflow, standardization, and productivity.
• Document manufacturing processes, improvements, procedures, and project results.
• Help implement process improvements and ensure changes are incorporated into production.
• Support Industrial Engineering activities, including plant layouts, workstation setup, tooling selection, and workflow improvements.
• Use SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD for parts, fixtures, tooling, plant layouts, and machine modifications.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Use JobBOSS or other ERP/MRP systems to support manufacturing and engineering activities.
• Troubleshoot equipment and processes using knowledge of CNC machining, hydraulics, electrical systems, controls, and pneumatics.
• Assist with evaluating and upgrading older manufacturing equipment.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, scrap reduction, improved throughput, and better utilization of manufacturing resources.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, and other departments to implement improvements.
• Support equipment installations and commissioning for new or modified machinery.
• Evaluate manufacturing layouts and recommend changes to improve material flow and productivity.
• Help identify opportunities to improve staffing, workflow, equipment utilization, and process redundancy.
• Drive project challenges to completion with ownership and proactive progress.
• Support continued growth and expansion of the manufacturing operation.
• Work approximately 80% on the manufacturing floor and 20% on engineering, administrative, and documentation work.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or higher in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering, STEM, or a related field.
• 3–7 years of experience in a similar engineering role in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and a hands-on engineering approach.
• Willingness and ability to work directly on the manufacturing floor and alongside Maintenance personnel.
• Comfortable troubleshooting equipment and physically participating in equipment modifications and installations.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical schematics.
• Experience conducting time studies and capacity reviews.
• Ability to observe manufacturing processes and identify improvement opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee projects from start to finish.
• Experience with JobBOSS or another ERP/MRP system.
• Experience with cost savings, scrap reduction, and manufacturing efficiency initiatives.
• Familiarity with CNC machining and manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to identify and implement process improvements.
• Experience developing or implementing standard work procedures.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of projects and challenges.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, and other departments.
• Strong communication skills in a smaller, hands-on manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday on first shift, generally around 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed to support projects and manufacturing operations.

Technologies

• SolidWorks
• AutoCAD
• JobBOSS
• ERP/MRP systems
• CNC machining
• Hydraulics
• Electrical systems
• Controls
• Pneumatics

Benefits

• $75K–$100K base salary depending on experience and qualifications.
• Monday–Friday, first-shift schedule, generally around 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.
• Potential for future career growth into Maintenance or other departmental leadership responsibilities.

Preferred

• Experience with metal spinning, lagging, press operations, or swaging.
• Experience upgrading or modifying older manufacturing equipment.
• CNC machining experience.
• Experience working with tube bending equipment.
• Experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and controls.
• Experience with SolidWorks.
• Experience with AutoCAD.
• Experience designing fixtures, tooling, guards, or replacement parts.
• Experience with manufacturing plant layouts and workstation design.
• Industrial Engineering experience.
• Experience in a smaller manufacturing, fabrication, or machine shop environment.
• Experience working in an environment where employees are expected to wear multiple hats.
• Experience with capital equipment installation and commissioning.
• Experience with process standardization and workflow improvement.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement.
• Experience identifying cost reduction and efficiency opportunities.
• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with conveyor systems or conveyor components.
• Experience with Haas CNC equipment or other CNC machining centers.

Job Details

• Location: Ixonia, WI (onsite)
• Compensation: Up to $100,000 per year
• Work mode: Onsite
• Hire type: Direct Hire

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

• Role falls within the Engineering/Manufacturing division.
• Focus areas include: Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing/Process Engineering, Controls Engineering, Project Engineering, Technical Sales, and Operations / Plant Engineering.