Manufacturing Engineer

Hydrograph USA INC•Austin, TX

37d•Onsite

About The Position

HydroGraph is a hyper-growth advanced materials company scaling pristine, high-performance graphene via its patented Hyperion detonation technology. With more than 70 active commercial projects, a growing global footprint, and industry-leading material quality (99.8% pure graphene), HydroGraph is building the next generation of engineered materials for coatings, composites, and energy storage. Our new Austin HQ will serve as the flagship center for innovation, applied R&D, customer engagement, and rapid material development. We are seeking a skilled and motivated Manufacturing Engineer to join our growing team. In this role, you will design, develop, and optimize manufacturing systems with a strong focus on valves and flow control processes. This is a hands-on role that demands deep mechanical knowledge, systems thinking, and practical experience with mechatronics and control systems.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
Three years of more proven hands-on experience with control valves, flow control systems, and pneumatic pressure handling processes in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
Mechatronics background with demonstrated understanding of the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software/control systems.
Mechanically inclined with ability to work directly with physical equipment, assembly, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
Familiarity with piping and instrumentations diagrams (P&IDs), schematic drawings, and engineering documentation standards.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose multi-disciplinary system failures.
Robust experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or equivalent) for mechanical design and documentation.
Demonstrated proficiency in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) — hands-on experience applying structured methods such as 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa diagrams, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and FMEA to identify, investigate, and resolve production control problems.
Proven ability to translate RCA outcomes into concrete process improvements, including updating control parameters, revising SOPs, and implementing preventive actions that measurably reduce recurrence.
Working knowledge of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and the ability to apply them correctly on mechanical, electrical, and pressurized systems.
Strong exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen and other continuous improvement methodologies.
Demonstrated understanding of industrial safety standards including OSHA General Industry regulations and ASME pressure system codes.
Experience conducting or participating in risk assessments, hazard identification, and incident investigations in a manufacturing or process environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a chemical manufacturing facility.
Understandings of advanced manufacturing and automation systems to automate and improve difference processes of the production system.
Formal training or certification in RCA methodologies (e.g., TapRooT, Apollo, Kepner-Tregoe, or equivalent structured problem-solving frameworks).
Experience using data historians, trend analysis, or SPC/SQC tools for early-warning detection of process degradation.
Familiarity with Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments and the design of safety-critical control loops.

Responsibilities

Design, specify, and optimize flow control systems within manufacturing processes, ensuring precise control of pneumatic pressure and process parameters using valves and sensors.
Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and software challenges in integrated manufacturing systems, and minimize production downtime.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software engineers, process engineers, and quality assurance to deliver reliable production systems.
Create and maintain technical documentation including wiring diagrams, Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), control logic flowcharts, and equipment specifications.
Evaluate, select, and qualify mechanical and mechatronic components (sensors, flow meters, control valves) for manufacturing applications.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance process efficiency, reduce waste, and improve system reliability.
Ensure all systems comply with relevant safety standards, engineering codes, and HydroGraph's internal quality requirements.
Design systems with inherent safety in mind, including emergency shutoff valves, pressure relief devices, over-pressure protection, and fail-safe control logic.
Ensure all control systems include appropriate safety interlocks and alarm management to detect and respond to abnormal process conditions before they escalate.
Prepare, review, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safe Work Instructions (SWIs) for all equipment and processes under the role's scope.
Collaborate with HSE leader to investigate near-misses, incidents, and equipment failures using root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Maintain compliance with applicable safety standards including OSHA 1910 (General Industry), ASME codes for pressure systems, and NFPA 70E for electrical safety, while designing and implementing production system.
Apply RCA methods (5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa, FTA, FMEA) to proactively identify potential failure points in production control systems
Lead or participate in structured RCA investigations following failures, process upsets, or anomalies, clearly document findings and drive corrective actions to closure
Translate RCA findings into actionable improvements (control parameter adjustments, interlock redesigns, SOP updates, PM schedule changes)
Maintain a living register of RCA findings, corrective actions, and improvement initiatives with effectiveness tracking