Process Engineer

Job Description:

Company Overview

Hi-Cone, a division of ITW (NYSE: ITW), is a global leader in sustainable multipackaging solutions for the Alcohol and Non-Alcoholic Ready to Drink (NARTD) beverage markets. We partner with major Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies to deliver innovative, environmentally responsible secondary packaging systems. As part of ITW’s decentralized structure, Hi-Cone leverages the ITW Business Model to drive customer-focused innovation, operational excellence, and market leadership.

Position Summary

The Process Engineer is responsible for standardizing global manufacturing processes, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring operational excellence across extrusion, blending, press, and labeling operations. This role focuses on process governance, preventive maintenance frameworks, and technology advancement to support strategic initiatives such as PCR (post-consumer recycled resin) transition and CBI (customer back innovation) pipeline execution. The Process Engineer collaborates with cross-functional teams to align global standards, optimize equipment performance, and implement process tracking systems for improved reliability and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Standardization & Governance:

• Standardize 80 processes across global operations.
• Align global SOPs for extrusion, blending, press, and labeling.
• Define operating standard conditions for extrusion through capability analysis.

Asset & Performance Management:

• Develop a comprehensive equipment inventory and global capability matrix.
• Establish throughput benchmarks for each asset to ensure performance consistency.
• Conduct global audits of extrusion and press assets; identify rebuild priorities and timelines.

Preventive Maintenance & Continuous Improvement:

• Develop a global preventative maintenance framework and PM schedule in collaboration with maintenance, quality, and engineering teams.
• Implement PM standards in Brightly for all facilities.
• Drive technology advancement and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with ITW toolbox application.

Process Monitoring & Innovation Support:

• Implement process condition tracking systems to detect and resolve deviations.
• Assess system capability to meet 55% PCR processing requirements under supply chain variability.
• Investigate process impacts of alternate material development projects to support CBI initiatives.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical / industrial engineering, or related field, required.
• 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing process engineering.
• Strong knowledge of cast extrusion, material blending, and/or punch press operations.
• Experience with preventive maintenance systems and process audits.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma preferred).
• Familiarity with industrial control systems and data acquisition, preferred.
• Experience with CAD, SolidWorks or AutoCAD preferred.

Character Capabilities Required

• Learning Agility: Quickly understand and apply new concepts to drive execution.
• Analytical Thinking: Evaluate and interpret complex data to define desired outcomes and potential solutions.
• Collaborative: Strong team-oriented approach to problem analysis and resolution.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing project requirements, emerging technologies, and evolving industry trends.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to anticipate future trends, align decisions with long-term objectives, and prioritize actions that create sustainable value.

Credibility Capabilities Required

• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to consistently execute projects and meet objectives/timelines.
• Manufacturing Methods: Strong background in manufacturing processes with capability to identify key requirements in method selection.
• Standardization: Clear, focused approach to aligning processes and products to reduce variability and ensure consistency across lines/facilities.
• Product Testing: Proficient in evaluation, instrumentation, and data analysis to ensure compliance with specifications and standards.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly required to sit and walk.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

• Regularly will work in an office setting 
• Regularly will work in a manufacturing setting and required to wear personal protective equipment (hearing protection, safety shoes, safety gloves, safety glasses, hi-viz apparel).

Hours of Work

• Normal business hours with occasional extended hours as needed
• Flexibility with schedule to meet critical deadlines
• Travel to other divisional and vendor locations, domestic and international, up to 40% as needed 

Compensation Information:

The base salary range for this position is $100,000 – $120,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location (this range is for successful candidates in the Chicago, Illinois metro area), and may fall outside of this range in certain circumstances.

Additionally, the successful and their eligible family members will be eligible for ITW’s generous benefits. Our comprehensive plans currently include Medical and Prescription Drug, Dental, Flexible Spending, Wellness, Basic and Voluntary Life and Accident Insurance, Dependent Life, Disability, and more. Learn more about our full benefit offerings by visiting https://myitwhr.com/.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.