Extrusion Process Engineer

About the Opportunity MRT is supporting a well-established and rapidly growing plastics manufacturer near Naperville, Illinois. The company is seeking a dedicated Extrusion Process Engineer. This is a ground-floor opportunity to support and build a process engineering function from scratch. What's needed now is the right engineer to come in, assess the operation, identify opportunities, and help drive the business to the next level. This role offers high visibility, genuine autonomy, and a direct line to leadership. The right candidate will not be inheriting a finished function - they will be building one. What You'll Be Responsible For Support and maintain all extrusion processes, associates, and equipment across a 24-hour operation Perform changeovers, color changes, tooling setups, downstream startups, and processing adjustments Monitor and adjust SOCs and process controls; document changes and communicate to supervisors and quality teams Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all processes from the ground up Lead problem-solving workshops and Kaizen events using 5 Why, Fishbone, and A3 methodologies Conduct first article and in-process checks to validate and sustain quality controls Develop audit systems to identify and address process and tooling variances Monitor daily regrind percentages and develop actions to reduce generation and material loss Participate in and coordinate preventive maintenance on tooling and equipment Develop and maintain spare tooling and equipment upgrade matrices Lead annual and new-hire training to build cross-functional team capabilities Perform process qualification procedures (PQP) and develop new process standards Maintain all tooling, run, and SOC records for lines, molds, and SKUs Troubleshoot equipment issues to resolution and share knowledge across the team What We're Looking For 3-5 years of extrusion processing experience Hands-on, floor-level approach - this role requires presence on the production floor across all shifts as needed Working knowledge of molds and tooling design and function Familiarity with 5 Why, Fishbone, and A3 problem-solving tools Basic SPC and quality documentation knowledge Mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment independently Basic computer skills and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work in a manufacturing environment

Preferred:

Associate's degree or higher in Engineering or related field; equivalent hands-on experience will be considered Sheet extrusion experience Regrind and/or pelletizing experience Spanish language skills (a plus, not required) Experience developing SOPs in an environment where they didn't previously exist Why This Role Stands Out Your impact will be immediate and visible PE-backed company with significant resources, growth trajectory, and continued investment Collaborative, down-to-earth leadership team - high trust Real career runway as the company scales and formalizes its operations Monday through Friday schedule with standard business hours Bonus eligible at 5%