Lead Process Engineer

Toray Advanced Composites USA,Inc • Camarillo, CA

74d

About The Position

Toray Performance Materials Corporation (TPMC) is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Lead Process Engineer to support and coordinate daily manufacturing operations in a lean, fast-paced composite production environment. This role requires a leader who is not only comfortable working directly with production equipment and operators, but also capable of managing resources, resolving issues, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the shop floor. As part of a small and agile team, the Lead Process Engineer will wear multiple hats—ranging from supervising production flow and troubleshooting equipment, to helping with planning, safety practices, and training team members. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong technical background to gain broad exposure and take on increasing responsibility over time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Engineering, Composites, Material Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science or related technical field preferred
• 4–6 years of hands-on manufacturing experience including time in a university lab setting, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead capacity
• Exposure to composites or technical materials or high-mix production environments preferred
• Working knowledge of thermoplastics compounding, lamination, composites cutting, and thermal forming/injection molding processes is a plus
• Strong mechanical aptitude; capable of learning and supporting equipment troubleshooting
• Proactive and organized, with the ability to manage day-to-day details while supporting long-term improvements
• Effective communicator with strong team leadership and coordination skills
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where roles are fluid and flexibility is essential
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, or structured problem-solving methods is a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; basic ERP or MES system experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily production planning and execution, ensuring workflow efficiency and alignment with delivery targets
• Monitor production status, coordinate personnel and material readiness, and help prioritize tasks on the floor
• Provide hands-on support to resolve process or equipment issues in real time
• Supervise and guide operators and technicians, ensuring consistent adherence to work procedures and product quality standards
• Support onboarding, training, and skills development for production staff
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Learn and provide backup support for process engineering activities, including managing Bills of Materials (BOM) and production routers, and assisting with process documentation and updates
• Understand and apply principles of Design of Experiments (DOE) to support process optimization and troubleshooting
• Navigate the ERP system effectively to retrieve, analyze, and utilize key production and operational data
• Work closely with the production team to identify and address bottlenecks, downtime, or yield issues
• Coordinate with maintenance and technical teams on basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance planning
• Recommend improvements to equipment utilization and workflow
• Lead implementation and execution of EHS programs, including daily/weekly Gemba walks to identify safety improvements and engage teams
• Organize and facilitate monthly safety meetings with leadership and employees
• Manage incident investigations, corrective actions, and risk assessments
• Prepare and submit corporate EHS reports and compliance documentation
• Support audits and maintain alignment with local regulatory requirements
• Champion a proactive safety culture through direct involvement and visible leadership
• Promote safety awareness and employee involvement at all levels of the organization
• Promote and uphold safe working habits and general housekeeping standards
• Lead the continuous improvement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and job safety analysis (JSA)
• Interface with planning, engineering, quality, and warehouse teams to support smooth production handoffs
• Assist with inventory coordination and raw material readiness
• Participate in improvement projects related to productivity, layout, and resource efficiency
• Maintain accurate production records, shift logs, and downtime reporting
• Track and report key metrics such as output, scrap, and efficiency
• Help analyze trends and identify areas for corrective or preventive action

Benefits

• A competitive compensation package including base salary
• Potential for bonus based on performance
• Health insurance
• 401k

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees