Process Engineer (Chicago)

Gotion is seeking a motivated and results-driven Process Engineer to support the Pack and Module Manufacturing team. This role is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. The Process Engineer will play a key role in supporting production ramp-up activities, driving continuous improvement initiatives, resolving manufacturing issues, and implementing process enhancements to improve yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

The ideal candidate will have experience in manufacturing engineering, strong problem-solving skills, and a passion for improving production processes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure stable manufacturing processes within the Pack and Module production lines, achieving target yield, process capability, throughput, and OEE goals.
• Support the selection, evaluation, and implementation of manufacturing processes, equipment, and technical requirements for new and existing production lines.
• Lead engineering support activities during equipment installation, commissioning, validation, trial runs, and production ramp-up.
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Production, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to establish and maintain effective control plans and in-process quality controls.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues on the production floor and drive timely corrective and preventive actions.
• Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies and quality tools to identify root causes and prevent issue recurrence.
• Develop, review, and maintain process documentation including:
• Process Flow Diagrams
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Work Instructions (WIs)
• Process Standards
• Control Plans
• Design and execute process experiments, collect and analyze process data, and provide recommendations for process optimization.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, yield, and cost reduction.
• Participate in equipment and process qualifications for new products, equipment, and manufacturing technologies.
• Analyze manufacturing performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve product quality and operational efficiency.
• Conduct training and provide technical guidance to production personnel on manufacturing processes and best practices.
• Support new product introductions and manufacturing readiness activities.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in:
• Mechanical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Related engineering discipline

Experience

• 3–10 years of manufacturing engineering or process engineering experience.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Previous experience with Pack and Module assembly processes is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting production line launches, process qualification, or manufacturing ramp-up activities is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing process development and optimization.
• Experience with process troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and interpretation to drive process improvements.
• Familiarity with quality systems and process control methodologies, including:
• Control Plans
• PFMEA
• SPC
• APQP
• MSA
• PPAP
• Experience utilizing quality and problem-solving tools such as:
• 8D
• Fishbone Diagram
• 5 Why Analysis
• Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Seven QC Tools
• Six Sigma methodologies
• Strong technical documentation and report-writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in lithium-ion battery, automotive, advanced manufacturing, or related industries.
• Understanding of battery pack and module manufacturing processes.
• Experience with automated assembly equipment and production systems.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Experience working in a fast-paced startup or high-growth manufacturing environment.