Process Engineer/ AEROSPACE PLATING & MACHINED PARTS

POSITION SUMMARY

Our client is seeking an experienced Process Engineer with mandatory aerospace experience and direct knowledge of plating, chemical-processing operations, and precision machined parts. This individual will provide hands-on technical ownership of special processes, translate customer and industry specifications into robust production methods, improve first-pass yield and process capability, and develop controlled routings, technique sheets, and standard work that reduce dependence on tribal knowledge.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical process ownership for aerospace hard chrome, cadmium, electroless nickel, and related chemical-processing operations; support passivation, chem-film, cleaning, masking, baking, blasting, and associated inspection requirements as applicable.
• Review customer drawings, purchase orders, and governing specifications and translate requirements into controlled master routings, technique sheets, work instructions, and process parameters.
• Develop robust processing methods for precision machined components, including masking, racking, current-density/rectifier considerations, plating thickness, dimensional buildup, runout, post-plate machining/grinding interfaces, and protection of critical features.
• Work directly with machinists, platers, maskers, Quality, NDT, Planning, and Operations to resolve technical issues and ensure manufacturable, repeatable process sequences.
• Lead root-cause investigations for adhesion failures, thickness variation, burns, pitting, roughness, contamination, dimensional nonconformance, salt-spray failures, hydrogen-embrittlement concerns, and other plating defects.
• Analyze tank chemistry, operating parameters, agitation, filtration, rectification, anode condition, racking, and process controls to improve first-pass yield and process stability.
• Support qualification, validation, periodic testing, and customer/Nadcap audit readiness; ensure technical documentation remains aligned with current specification revisions.
• Create and maintain process control plans, PFMEAs, capability studies, validation plans, engineering trials, and structured improvement actions where appropriate.
• Evaluate new customer work for technical feasibility, process risk, tooling/racking needs, capacity, and special requirements before production release.
• Support Estimating with accurate process assumptions, cycle times, masking complexity, tooling needs, and technical risk for new RFQs.
• Develop fixtures, racks, masking concepts, and process improvements that increase throughput while protecting part quality and dimensional requirements.
• Lead technology transfer and operator training so critical process knowledge is documented, standardized, and repeatable across technicians and shifts.
• Support capital-equipment and facility improvement projects involving tanks, rectifiers, filtration, agitation, ovens, process controls, and other plating infrastructure.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS — MUST HAVE

• Aerospace manufacturing experience is mandatory; candidates without direct aerospace experience will not be considered.
• Minimum 5 years of process/manufacturing engineering experience supporting metal finishing, electroplating, chemical processing, or closely related aerospace special processes.
• Hands-on experience with plating facilities and precision machined parts, including understanding of dimensional tolerances, surface condition, masking, plating buildup, and post-process requirements.
• Working knowledge of aerospace specifications and customer-controlled processing requirements; experience interpreting engineering drawings and specifications.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot plating defects using structured root-cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Experience developing routings, technique sheets, work instructions, process parameters, and other controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Strong understanding of process control, chemistry/parameter discipline, validation, measurement systems, and data analysis.
• Ability to work effectively on the shop floor with technicians while communicating technical issues clearly to customers, Quality, and leadership.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.
• Experience with hard chrome and cadmium plating of aerospace landing-gear, actuator, hydraulic, fastener, or other precision machined components.
• Nadcap Chemical Processing experience and familiarity with AS9100 quality systems.
• Lean Six Sigma, DOE, SPC, or PFMEA experience.
• Experience with plating line equipment, including rectifiers, agitation, filtration, tank controls, and process monitoring.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• First-Pass Yield and Defect Reduction
• Process Capability / Parameter Compliance
• Reduction in Rework and Scrap
• Technique Sheet / Master Routing Completion and Accuracy
• Corrective Action Effectiveness
• New Process / New Product Qualification Success
• Cycle-Time and Throughput Improvement
• Audit and Specification Compliance

TECHNICAL PROFILE

A practical, shop-floor engineer who can translate aerospace specifications, machined-part requirements, and plating knowledge into controlled, repeatable processes that reduce tribal knowledge and improve scalability.