MINIGRIP - SR. PROCESS ENGINEER II

TITLE: Sr. Process Engineer II   POSITION OBJECTIVE: The Sr. Process Engineer II builds upon the foundational scope of the Level 1 role with an expanded mandate encompassing advanced automation engineering, full equipment lifecycle ownership (from installation through commissioning), and direct leadership of Level 1 engineers and technical staff. This role serves as the senior technical authority across four core manufacturing processes—blown film extrusion, in-line printing, bag forming (conversion), and product packaging (cartoning)—while driving automation strategy, overseeing capital installations, and ensuring compliance with environmental, OSHA, ASI, GMP, and CTPAT standards.   QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline) 10+ years of experience in process control or manufacturing engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity Advanced knowledge of process control systems: PID control loops, PLCs, SCADA, and DCS platforms Hands-on experience with PLC/HMI programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff) and industrial control system design Demonstrated experience with robotic systems integration in a manufacturing environment Experience designing and deploying automated packaging systems Proven ability to lead equipment installation and commissioning projects from kickoff through production handoff Experience conducting and managing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) Familiarity with utilities and facility infrastructure requirements for new equipment (electrical, pneumatics, compressed air, water) Demonstrated experience managing third-party vendors and contractors on-site during installations Strong proficiency in LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma, or equivalent structured improvement frameworks Proven capital project management experience including budget ownership, vendor selection, and schedule management Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present to senior leadership Working knowledge of general manufacturing and business principles Ensure consistent, dependable attendance and demonstrate a willingness to accommodate non-standard work hours as necessary. Capable of effectively managing job-related stress and fostering productive workplace interactions.   AUTHORITY/DECISION MAKING Approve and implement process and automation changes that improve production efficiency, product quality, or cost-effectiveness Lead capital project planning and execution, including vendor selection, budget management, FAT/SAT, and project timelines Assign, prioritize, and oversee work across Level 1 engineers and technical staff based on business needs and project objectives Make final recommendations and decisions related to equipment upgrades, automation technology integration, and process control strategies Serve as the highest-level technical authority for root cause analysis, corrective action planning, and manufacturing-related escalations Approves installation plans, commissioning procedures, and equipment validation protocols Enforce and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards across all process and automation areas Recommend and justify capital expenditures for automation equipment, technology, or facility infrastructure improvements Represent the engineering department in cross-functional meetings, project reviews, leadership presentations, and audits   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and directly supervise a team of engineers including Level 1 Sr. Process Engineers and technical professionals; conduct performance reviews and support career development Assign tasks, manage workloads, and build team capabilities across process engineering and automation disciplines Serve as escalation point and technical resource for engineering team problem-solving and decision-making   Automation Engineering Design, develop, and implement PLC/HMI programming solutions to automate and optimize manufacturing processes across blown film, printing, conversion, and packaging operations Lead the integration of robotic systems into production lines, including scoping, vendor coordination, installation, programming, and operator training Evaluate, specify, and deploy automated packaging systems; ensure seamless integration with upstream and downstream processes Develop and maintain automation standards, code libraries, and documentation to support scalability and ease of maintenance Partner with controls and maintenance teams to troubleshoot automation systems and resolve production-impacting issues   Equipment Installation & Commissioning Own the full lifecycle of capital equipment installations: scope development, contractor bidding, schedule management, installation oversight, commissioning, and handoff to production Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) protocols to validate equipment performance against specifications Coordinate utilities and facility infrastructure requirements (electrical, pneumatics, compressed air, water, HVAC) for new equipment with facilities and outside contractors Manage on-site vendors and contractors during installation and commissioning activities; enforce safety protocols, quality standards, and schedule adherence Develop startup procedures, operator training materials, and equipment qualification documentation   Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement Design and maintain documentation for process improvements that enhance yield, uptime, and product quality across all four manufacturing process areas Lead cost-efficiency initiatives including formulation improvements, yield optimization, and downtime reduction programs Partner with Technical Specialists and Level 1 engineers on ongoing improvement initiatives and active manufacturing projects Investigate scrap events and process deviations; implement and verify corrective actions   Capital Project Management Develop and submit capital expenditure requests with clear business justification, ROI analysis, and technical rationale Manage multiple concurrent capital projects aligned with performance, budget, and schedule expectations Track and verify that completed projects meet expected performance targets; provide post-implementation reporting to management Innovation & Technology Evaluation Evaluate emerging manufacturing technologies, automation platforms, and process innovations to increase throughput, reduce cost, and improve quality Lead proof-of-concept trials and technology pilots; develop recommendations for broader deployment   Compliance & Safety Leadership Actively lead Safety Committee participation; investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and drive OSHA compliance across all process areas Ensure adherence to environmental standards, ASI guidelines, GMP requirements, and CTPAT security standards Enforce housekeeping protocols and regulatory compliance across all areas of engineering responsibility   Reporting & Collaboration Provide clear, consistent updates on project status, automation initiatives, and process improvement progress to engineering management and senior leadership Work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Maintenance, and IT to align engineering initiatives with business objectives Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management