Sr. Plastics Manufacturing Process Engineer

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with brands including Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®. With 8,000 employees worldwide, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities. For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com.

Senior Plastics Manufacturing Process Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Plastics Manufacturing Process Engineer to play a hands-on role in improving plant performance, equipment efficiency, and product quality in a high‑volume plastics manufacturing environment. This position works directly on the factory floor, partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to drive measurable improvements in safety, uptime, yield, and cost.

This is a player‑coach role ideal for an experienced manufacturing engineer who enjoys solving real-world problems, leading improvement projects, and seeing ideas executed on the production line.

Based in Aliquippa, PA and reports directly to the senior engineering manager.

What You’ll Do

Process & Equipment Optimization

• Improve performance of extrusion lines and downstream equipment (including gravimetric feeders and auxiliaries) to increase uptime, run rates, and yield while reducing scrap
• Troubleshoot mechanical, process, and basic controls issues in real time on the production floor
• Design, specify, and improve process tooling and auxiliary equipment to enhance functionality and reliability
• Support and manage line commissioning activities following preventive maintenance events

Continuous Improvement & Data‑Driven Execution

• Drive improvements in OEE, Yield, Availability, and Run Rates across production lines
• Analyze manufacturing data using statistical and root‑cause methodologies to identify and sustain improvements
• Lead and support Lean / Six Sigma projects using tools such as DMAIC, SPC, FMEA, and Kaizen
• Establish and report performance metrics, including yield and SUR results, before and after improvements

Projects, Cost Savings & Capital Improvements

• Lead engineering improvement projects on model lines from concept through implementation
• Develop and execute project plans aligned to SQDC and product stability objectives
• Identify, quantify, and justify cost reduction and efficiency improvement opportunities
• Research new equipment, technologies, and processing methods; work directly with vendors and contractors

Collaboration, Leadership & Safety

• Work closely with Operators, Leads, Maintenance, Quality, and Leadership to identify and implement improvements
• Train operators on new equipment, processes, and best practices
• Uphold and promote a Zero Harm safety culture
• Participate in plant performance, engineering, and project meetings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Manufacturing, Plastics, Electrical, or similar)
• 5-7 years of manufacturing plant experience.
• Lean Six Sigma experience desirable.
• Knowledge of plastics processing, or extrusion, injection or blow molding, and continuous experience (preferred)
• Strong background in manufacturing systems, data collection and statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated success in interfacing with internal (manufacturing, engineering, quality) and external (contractors, vendors) customers.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several geographic markets. The annual salary for this position ranges from $99,000 in our lowest market up to $121,000 in our highest market, plus bonus, equity, and benefits as applicable.

Following The AZEK Company’s acquisition by James Hardie, we remain committed to providing a fair and equitable employment experience for all candidates.

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