Hot Rolling Mechanical I Process Engineer

Hot Rolling Mechanical / Process Engineer

Locations: Alcoa, Tennessee I Davenport, Iowa I Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: 100% onsite

Seniority Level: Associate Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree Experience: 5+ years of manufacturing/process engineering, including at least 3 years supporting hot rolling or related metals manufacturing processes.

Reporting To: Manager of Rolling Technology / Process Engineering.

The Hot Rolling Mechanical / Process Engineer provides technical leadership and engineering expertise to support manufacturing operations across the Global Rolled Products business. This role serves as a subject matter expert in hot rolling processes and is responsible for optimizing manufacturing systems, developing and implementing best practices, troubleshooting complex process and equipment issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The engineer will work closely with plant operations, engineering teams, equipment suppliers, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders to improve product quality, increase manufacturing capacity, reduce operating costs, and enhance equipment reliability. The position also supports capital improvement projects from concept through implementation, facilitates technology transfer across manufacturing locations, and provides technical training and mentorship to engineers, operators, and other technical personnel. The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise in hot rolling or related metals manufacturing processes, practical plant-floor engineering experience, and the ability to lead technical problem-solving across multiple manufacturing facilities. The ideal candidate is a Mechanical or Process Engineer with hands-on experience supporting hot rolling operations in aluminum or other metals manufacturing environments.

The candidate should be able to identify manufacturing bottlenecks, troubleshoot equipment and process issues, optimize rolling operations, and lead improvement projects that deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, capacity, reliability, and cost.

Strong candidates will bring:

• At least 5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• At least 3 years of direct hot rolling or related metals manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting capital projects from planning and justification through implementation and startup.
• Strong understanding of industrial manufacturing equipment and process optimization.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
• Ability to work onsite at one of the listed locations and travel domestically and internationally approximately 25–50%.
• Experience in aluminum rolling or multi-site manufacturing operations is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

1. Hot Rolling Process Optimization

• Optimize hot rolling processes and equipment to improve safety, quality, productivity, and manufacturing capacity.
• Evaluate existing rolling operations and identify opportunities to improve process performance.
• Develop and implement best practices for hot rolling operations.
• Improve manufacturing systems through engineering analysis, process optimization, and continuous improvement.
• Support operational excellence initiatives across manufacturing locations.

2. Engineering Troubleshooting & Technical Support

• Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues at manufacturing facilities.
• Lead technical problem-solving activities to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Provide engineering expertise to plant operations and manufacturing teams.
• Evaluate equipment and process performance and recommend improvements.
• Support equipment reliability and process control initiatives.

3. Capital Project Engineering

• Support capital improvement projects from concept development through implementation.
• Prepare project estimates, technical justifications, and implementation plans for capital investments.
• Evaluate proposed equipment and process modifications.
• Provide technical input during project planning, engineering, installation, and startup.
• Support the successful implementation of capital projects while considering safety, quality, productivity, and cost objectives.

4. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead and support cross-functional problem-solving teams.
• Identify improvement opportunities across manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Develop and deploy standard practices across hot rolling operations.
• Drive initiatives to reduce operating costs, improve production efficiency, and increase equipment reliability.
• Support process control and operational excellence programs across facilities.

5. Technology Transfer & Multi-Site Support

• Facilitate technology transfer and deployment of best practices across manufacturing locations.
• Share technical knowledge and successful process improvements with other facilities.
• Conduct technical assessments of manufacturing facilities and equipment.
• Support strategic manufacturing initiatives across the Global Rolled Products business.
• Travel to domestic and international facilities to provide technical support and engineering expertise.

6. Supplier & Vendor Management

• Maintain productive working relationships with equipment suppliers.
• Monitor industry developments, emerging technologies, and equipment innovations.
• Coordinate external vendors providing engineering and technical services.
• Manage technical interactions with engineering service providers and equipment suppliers.
• Evaluate vendor recommendations and technical solutions.

7. Technical Training & Mentorship

• Provide technical training, mentoring, and process expertise to manufacturing personnel.
• Support the development of engineers, operators, and other technical employees.
• Share engineering best practices and troubleshooting methods.
• Encourage consistent technical standards and effective collaboration across manufacturing teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting hot rolling operations or related metals manufacturing processes.
• Experience with capital project planning, justification, implementation, and startup support.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and equipment systems.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with plant operations, engineering teams, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aluminum rolling or metals manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing locations.
• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Familiarity with manufacturing process control systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to prioritize multiple assignments based on business needs.
• Self-starter with strong initiative and accountability.
• Leadership experience mentoring engineers and technical personnel.
• Experience managing external vendors and engineering service providers.