Manufacturing Process Engineer

Manufacturing Process Engineer

About Lodge Cast Iron: We got our start over 125 years ago when Joseph Lodge founded the Blacklock Foundry in South Pittsburg, TN. His scrappy, hardworking spirit continues to lead us today. As a team, we believe cast iron is for everyone. We're dedicated to manufacturing American-made cookware that we're proud to use in our very own homes and excited to bring to kitchens, backyards, and campfires around the world. Day in and day out, we work together to stay safe, have fun, and be better than we were the day before. We're serious about spreading the joys of cast iron. And while we're always on the lookout for ways to innovate, we believe in the adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's why we stand by a simple recipe of just iron and oil (no forever chemicals, since forever!). It's also why we're passionate about keeping our campus in our hometown of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, providing great jobs to our community.

A Day in the Life: Reporting to the Director of Engineering Services, the Manufacturing Process Engineer will spend time where the work happens—on the plant floor, in conversations with operators and maintenance, and at your desk making sense of what you've observed. Some days call for diagnosing a recurring bottleneck; others involve working through a proposed line change with colleagues or preparing for an equipment trial. The role moves between immediate production needs and longer-term improvements, so you'll need to understand how a change in one step affects the rest of the process. You'll see your ideas tested in real production and refine them with the people who use the process every day.

The Ideal Candidate:

You're curious about why a process works the way it does and willing to ask questions before proposing a fix. You listen to operators, explain your reasoning plainly, and bring people with different priorities toward a workable decision. You can move from an initial observation to a disciplined investigation, and you know when a practical improvement is ready to try. You follow through after implementation, learn from what happens on the floor, and take satisfaction in making work safer, more reliable, and easier to repeat.

Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize production line layouts and process flows for cast iron part manufacturing, from molding and pouring through cleaning, machining, and finishing.
• Develop and document standard processing methods, cycle times, and capacity models for new and existing product lines.
• Lead new line and cell layout projects, including equipment specification, plant floor arrangement, material flow, and ergonomics.
• Program and optimize CNC machining operations (part programs, tooling, and cutting parameters) to support new and existing processes, and partner with automation resources to incorporate robotic equipment into line designs.
• Support process qualification, PFMEA, and control plan development for new or changed processes.
• Conduct time studies, capacity analysis, and line balancing to optimize throughput and staffing.
• Participate in capital equipment and line projects, including specification, installation, runoff, and qualification, with travel as needed.
• Perform root cause analysis on process and quality issues using Shainin, 8D, and 5-Why methodologies.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, layouts, and standard work.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including quality, maintenance, and controls engineering, to support overall plant performance.

Basic Requirements:

• BS in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field, with 3-5 years of experience
• In lieu of degree, 7-10 years of hands-on manufacturing/process engineering experience, including line layout or process design and a background in CNC/machining and robotic automation

Summary of Necessary Knowledge, Experience, and Skills:

• Experience designing or improving production line layouts, process flows, and material handling for manufacturing or foundry operations.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing/foundry processes for metal or cast iron parts (molding, pouring, cleaning, machining, finishing) preferred.
• Experience with CNC programming and machining processes (part programs, tooling, fixturing, cutting parameters), plus a background in robotic automation (e.g., Fanuc, ABB, or similar), used both hands-on and to inform practical process and layout design.
• Experience with capacity analysis, time studies, and line balancing.
• Experience with CAD or facility/line layout tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills on the plant floor.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, GD&T, and process documentation.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills across engineering, maintenance, operations, and quality.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is a plus.

Employee Benefits:

• Competitive Pay
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Insurance Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Life, and Short-Term Disability)
• On-Site Clinic and Fitness Center
• 401K Match and Deferred Profit-Sharing Program
• Quarterly Profit Sharing
• Employee Assistance Program
• Scholarship Opportunity and Tuition Reimbursement
• $150 Boot Allowance
• Employee Discount at Lodge Factory Store and Big Bad Breakfast
• Safety, Holiday, and Celebration Events

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Lodge Manufacturing does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law).