Senior Braiding/ Process Engineer

Smiths Group • Springfield, MA

4d

About The Position

The Senior Braiding / Process Engineer is a hands-on technical leader responsible for developing, optimizing, and supporting braiding and spiral reinforcement processes for high-performance hose and flexible conduit systems. The role works closely with manufacturing, maintenance, and quality teams to improve product performance, ensure process stability, and support qualification efforts for aerospace and industrial applications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in hose or flexible conduit manufacturing, preferably in aerospace or high-spec industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience with horizontal braiders and/or spiral hose lines, such as OMA or similar OEM equipment.
• Experience with bobbin winding and wire twisting processes.
• Strong knowledge of 300 series stainless steel, wire drawing, and work hardening techniques.
• Strong understanding of braiding and spiral reinforcement design principles.
• Experience developing and standardizing manufacturing processes and documentation.
• Proven ability to work in a hands-on, shop-floor environment.
• U.S. Person status required due to aerospace/defense ITAR or similar compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with PTFE/fluoropolymer or hydraulic hose manufacturing.
• Familiarity with engineered yarns and filaments, such as para-aramid and meta-aramid.
• Understanding of bobbin head design, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of testing standards, protocols, and requirements for aerospace or industrial hose systems.
• Experience supporting product qualification and certification efforts.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and optimize braiding and spiral process parameters, including process windows, setup sheets, and standard work instructions.
• Provide hands-on technical support on the production floor to troubleshoot and improve braiding and spiral hose manufacturing lines.
• Collaborate with operators and maintenance teams to debug and optimize equipment performance.
• Lead or support product qualification testing, such as proof, burst, impulse, and temperature cycling tests.
• Analyze and refine braid and spiral design parameters, including angle, coverage, picks per inch, tension, and carrier configurations.
• Ensure processes meet performance requirements for pressure, flexibility, and impulse life.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Contribute to testing strategy and validation protocols as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior