Process Engineer - Federal Ammunition
About The Position
Federal Ammunition is seeking a Process Engineer to serve as the link between Product Development and Manufacturing Operations. The role leads development, validation, and introduction of new ammunition products and manufacturing processes, translating product concepts into scalable, repeatable processes and ensuring successful commercialization and production readiness. The position is based at the Anoka, Minnesota office and reports to the Product Development Manager. The Process Engineer leads new-product industrialization from concept through full-rate production, coordinating pilot runs, validation, and production-readiness work. The role partners with Product Development, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering; evaluates equipment and tooling; develops production documentation; and provides technical guidance on the manufacturing floor. It also addresses production and quality problems, drives process improvements and engineering projects, collaborates with technicians and suppliers, and supports Marketing with technical expertise and product information. The role applies manufacturing best practices and develops knowledge of small-arms ammunition design, processes, materials, and performance requirements. Work assignments may involve working in or being exposed to potentially hazardous areas, including areas with flammables and explosives. Safety training is provided to support compliance with company and federal regulations.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
- 1–5+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, or an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and experience.
- Experience supporting manufacturing processes, production operations, process development, or new product introduction activities.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and a hands-on approach to problem solving and troubleshooting.
- Ability to work effectively in both an engineering office and a manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience with Minitab or similar statistical analysis software.
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in metal forming, cold heading, stamping, machining, or other high-volume manufacturing processes.
- Background in ammunition development, ballistics, firearms, and related processes.
- Experience related to military service, hunting, competitive shooting, and reloading.
- CAD/CAM experience.
- Experience working directly with production teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead industrialization and manufacturing launches of new ammunition products from concept through full-rate production, optimizing designs for manufacturability, quality, cost, and operational efficiency.
- Manage pilot runs, process validation, and production-readiness activities for new products and process improvements.
- Collaborate with Product Development, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to introduce new products into manufacturing.
- Evaluate manufacturing equipment, tooling, and process capabilities; recommend modifications or improvements to support launches.
- Develop and maintain bills of materials, manufacturing process flows, work instructions, and production specifications.
- Provide technical guidance to manufacturing supervisors, operators, technicians, and shop personnel.
- Troubleshoot equipment, processes, and quality issues on the production floor and implement practical solutions.
- Analyze manufacturing performance and implement improvements focused on safety, throughput, quality, waste reduction, and cost savings.
- Conduct root cause analyses and failure investigations to resolve design, production, equipment, and manufacturing issues.
- Lead engineering projects, including continuous improvement initiatives, equipment upgrades, automation efforts, and capital projects.
- Coordinate engineering technicians' workload and support testing, validation, and development activities.
- Maintain relationships with suppliers, vendors, and external technical resources to support product and process development.
- Support Marketing with technical data reviews, product expertise, asset creation, and attendance at trade and consumer shows as a subject matter expert.
- Apply engineering principles and manufacturing best practices to support continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the product lifecycle.
- Develop a strong understanding of small-arms ammunition design, manufacturing processes, materials, and performance requirements.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation.
- Day-one healthcare coverage, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6%.
- Company-paid life and disability insurance.
- Company-paid parental leave.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Tuition assistance, education assistance, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Employee assistance and wellness programs.
- Career development and advancement opportunities across The Kinetic Group family of brands.
- Employee discounts and product purchase programs, where applicable.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
