Process Engineer

Job Title: Process Engineer
Location: Ball Ground, GA
Department: Innovation & Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Innovation & Engineering
Recruiter: Symbiotic Services

Position Overview

Symbiotic Services is seeking a Process Engineer to support a manufacturing facility in Ball Ground, Georgia. This role will serve as a key technical leader within the manufacturing and engineering teams, providing support for process improvement, product development, equipment optimization, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

The Process Engineer will lead projects focused on process efficiency, testing and validation methods, tooling and equipment design, and manufacturing optimization. This position will also work closely with operations and maintenance teams to resolve technical challenges through structured troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.

This role offers a growth path into Plant Engineering leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development

• Lead and document Plan of Control efforts for manufacturing processes using tools such as DOE, FMEA, and SPC.
  
• Develop, test, and optimize manufacturing processes for new and existing products to:
  
• Reduce variability
  
• Increase yields
  
• Improve productivity
  
• Reduce operating costs
  
• Plan and execute test protocols, trials, experiments, and process validations.
  
• Develop machine specifications, evaluate suppliers, and oversee procurement, installation, and debugging of manufacturing equipment.
  
• Design and optimize manufacturing equipment, extrusion tooling, and ancillary systems.
  

Manufacturing Operations Support

• Provide technical troubleshooting and support for product, process, and equipment issues.
  
• Identify improvement opportunities by monitoring manufacturing variances and performance metrics.
  
• Promote Statistical Engineering, Systems Thinking, and Lean Manufacturing principles.
  
• Transfer process knowledge and technologies to maintenance and production teams.
  
• Support plant initiatives aimed at achieving manufacturing performance targets.
  

Project Management

• Lead cross-functional teams for:
  
• Value improvement initiatives
  
• New product launches
  
• Manufacturing support projects
  
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
  
• Communicate project objectives and progress with stakeholders and leadership.
  
• Prioritize multiple project assignments aligned with business and operational goals.
  

Technical Leadership

• Maintain expertise in materials, manufacturing equipment, and processing technologies.
  
• Provide technical guidance to engineering and operations teams.
  
• Mentor operations and maintenance personnel to enhance technical capabilities.
  
• Identify and analyze opportunities for cost savings and product improvements, including financial impact.
  

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Polymer, or Plastics Engineering.
  
• Minimum 2+ years of hands-on experience with rigid PVC and/or Polyethylene extrusion.
  
• Experience with:
  
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) / Industry 4.0
  
• Process automation
  
• Maintenance and fabrication environments
  
• Hands-on engineering and equipment development experience preferred.
  

Skills & Technical Knowledge

• Strong commitment to safe work practices.
  
• Experience operating extrusion-related equipment and standard hand tools.
  
• Strong root cause analysis and corrective action experience.
  
• Proven ability applying statistical analysis for process optimization.
  
• Proficiency with:
  
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project)
  
• Minitab
  
• SolidWorks
  
• AutoCAD
  
• Experience with 3D printing, CNC routing, and CNC plasma cutting.
  
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact across all organizational levels.
  
• Strong organizational and time management capabilities.
  

Leadership Competencies

• Drive for results
  
• Customer focus
  
• Relationship building
  
• Ability to influence others
  
• Self-directed with strong initiative
  

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

• Combination of office and manufacturing floor environment.
  
• Frequent use of hands for tools and equipment operation.
  
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, kneeling, or crouching.
  
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally.
  
• Forklift operation may be required.
  
• Moderate noise levels typical of manufacturing environments.
  
• Close vision and color acuity required.
  

Travel

• Occasional domestic and international travel for conferences and customer visits (a few days per quarter).
  

Work Arrangement

• Primarily onsite at the manufacturing facility with limited remote work flexibility.