Vulcanization Process Engineer
About The Position
This role is responsible for owning the vulcanization process development from molding trials through PPAP and serial production. The engineer will define, document, and validate critical process parameters, lead process trials, and ensure readiness for serial production. They will also be responsible for creating and maintaining key process documentation, monitoring and improving key performance indicators, and investigating process concerns using structured problem-solving methodologies. Collaboration with various internal and external teams is essential, as is training operators and technicians. The role drives continuous improvement while ensuring safety, product integrity, and customer requirements are met.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing, Materials, Polymer, or Industrial Engineering.
- Five or more years of relevant manufacturing experience; automotive rubber molding or vulcanization strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, capability studies, and structured problem solving.
- Experience launching or industrializing new processes, molds, tooling, or production equipment.
- Ability to analyze process data and convert findings into controlled technical standards.
- Technical ownership and disciplined experimentation.
- Data-driven decision making.
Nice To Haves
- automotive rubber molding or vulcanization strongly preferred
Responsibilities
- Own vulcanization process development from molding trials through PPAP and serial production.
- Define, document, and validate temperature, pressure, cure time, injection, transfer timing, mold venting, and flash-control parameters.
- Lead process trials, Run@Rate, capability studies, launch readiness reviews, and structured handover to production.
- Create and maintain Process Flow, PFMEA, Control Plan, work instructions, parameter standards, and reaction plans.
- Monitor and improve OEE, output, FPY, scrap, cycle time, and critical-to-quality capability.
- Investigate curing, dimensional, durability, short-shot, flash, and material-flow concerns using structured problem solving.
- Coordinate with Product Engineering, Quality, Tooling, Automation, Maintenance, Production, suppliers, and customer teams.
- Support mold interchangeability, backup-process validation, contingency planning, and replication of validated settings to additional cells.
- Train operators and technicians on process controls, defect recognition, escalation criteria, and recovery standards.
- Drive continuous improvement while protecting safety, product integrity, and customer requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
