eVAC Magnetics LLC
Job Description
JOB TITLE: Process Engineer – Powder & Thermal Processing
DATE PREPARED: 10/2026 DATE LAST REVISED: 10/2026
EXEMPT (Y/N): Y
DEPARTMENT: Engineering REPORTS TO: Engineering Manager LOCATION: Sumter, SC
Overview:
The Process Engineer – Powder & Thermal Processing is responsible for the technical ownership, stability, capability, and continuous improvement of all upstream manufacturing processes within the magnet production operation. This position serves as the subject matter expert for powder production, pressing, heat treatment, and sputtering processes used in the production of permanent magnetic materials.
The Process Engineer drives process development, equipment optimization, manufacturing excellence, root cause analysis, and implementation of new manufacturing technologies while ensuring safe, efficient, and repeatable production processes. This role works closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and R&D to support customer requirements, operational goals, and business growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:
- Process Ownership
- Serve as the technical owner for all upstream manufacturing processes including powder production, compaction, heat treatment, and sputtering operations.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve manufacturing standards and process specifications.
- Define critical process parameters and ensure process compliance.
- Review, approve, and implement process changes.
- Monitor and improve process capability, repeatability, and long-term process stability.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process documentation.
- Establish and maintain process qualifications and process releases.
- Approve manufacturing process changes and technical deviations.
- Define process standards and acceptance criteria.
- Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Identify and implement productivity, yield, and throughput improvements.
- Drive waste elimination and cost reduction projects.
- Utilize statistical data analysis and process monitoring tools to improve manufacturing performance.
- Perform process capability studies and trend analyses.
- Support Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.
- Conduct workflow analysis, time studies, and process mapping to improve manufacturing efficiency.
- Process Development & Industrialization
- Lead development and implementation of new manufacturing technologies.
- Plan, execute, and evaluate manufacturing trials and process validation activities.
- Support new product introductions and product transfer activities.
- Participate in equipment specification, design reviews, commissioning, and startup activities.
- Support equipment acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) and process qualification.
- Develop optimized manufacturing concepts for future growth and capacity expansion.
- Support scale-up activities from laboratory and pilot production to full-scale manufacturing.
- Quality & Technical Problem Solving
- Lead root cause investigations for process failures, yield losses, customer complaints, and non-conforming product.
- Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Support PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, Process Capability Studies, and Validation Activities.
- Analyze production and quality data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Utilize Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical methods to optimize manufacturing processes.
- Act as technical support during customer audits and quality investigations
- Manufacturing Support
- Provide technical support to production and maintenance teams.
- Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues.
- Support equipment reliability and manufacturing uptime initiatives.
- Develop and deliver technical training for operators, technicians, and supervisors.
- Interface with equipment suppliers, tooling vendors, and external technical resources.
- Collaborate closely with R&D to support process development and technology transfer activities.
- Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with company safety policies and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in risk assessments and machine safety reviews.
- Ensure safe handling of powders, process gases, and heat treatment operations.
- Promote safe work practices throughout the manufacturing area.
- Support environmental, health, and safety initiatives.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's Degree in Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum five (5) years of manufacturing engineering, process engineering, materials engineering, or advanced manufacturing experience.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated project management and technical leadership experience.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
REQUIRED:
- Powder metallurgy manufacturing processes.
- Powder production and powder handling systems.
- Materials science and metallurgy.
- Compaction technologies.
- Heat treatment and processes.
- Vacuum furnace technology.
- Statistical Process Control (SPC).
- Process Capability Analysis (Cp/Cpk).
- Measurement System Analysis (MSA).
- Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
- Design of Experiments (DOE).
- Process validation methodologies.
- PFMEA and Control Plan development.
- Lean Manufacturing principles.
PREFERRED:
- Experience working in permanent magnet manufacturing environments.
- Experience with powder metallurgy production processes.
- Familiarity with magnetic materials and related manufacturing processes.
- Hydrogen decrepitation and jet milling processes.
- Vacuum process technology.
- Sputtering and thin-film deposition processes.
- Industrial automation and process control systems.
- Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
- ERP systems.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Minitab or equivalent statistical analysis software.
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE – Powder & Thermal Processing:
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE POSESSES WORKING KNOWLEDGE IN:
- Powder production and particle size control.
- Powder mixing and blending technologies.
- Powder flow characteristics and material handling.
- Magnetic field-assisted pressing technologies.
- Compaction tooling and die design concepts.
- Sintering mechanisms and densification behavior.
- Heat treatment process development and optimization.
- Vacuum furnace operation and process control.
- Sputtering systems and deposition process control.
- Process yield improvement within pre-production manufacturing processes.
- Scale-up and process qualification activities.
- Process parameter optimization using statistical methods.
- Manufacturing process troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
LEADERSHIP COMEPETENCIES:
- Technical leadership without direct authority.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Ability to lead cross-functional improvement projects.
- Effective communication at all organizational levels.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to work within global and cross-functional teams.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
- Process Capability (Cp/Cpk)
- First Pass Yield
- Yield Improvement
- Scrap Reduction
- Process Stability
- Furnace Utilization
- Throughput Improvement
- Cost Savings Achievement
- Successful New Process Implementation
- Safety Performance
- On-Time Completion of Improvement Projects
REQUIREMENTS:
Travel Requirements: 10% (as needed, domestic or international travel)
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
English, German beneficial
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No formal direct reports
EMPLOYMENT AT WILL:
This job description is intended as an outline of the duties of the position at VACUUMSCHMELZE and is subject to change by VAC from time to time. It is NOT a contract of employment. Employment at VAC is voluntarily entered into and is subject to termination by you or VAC AT WILL, with or without cause at any time, either party believes such action to be appropriate.