Production Engineer

Circulus , a leading manufacturer of post-consumer resin, has an exciting opportunity for a Production Engineer at the facility in Arab, AL.

As an Engineer on site, you provide engineering support to the site as well as providing technical expertise, which may be equipment-based or repair technique-based based that impacts the availability and maintainability of the facility. In addition, you will serve as a vital resource for Operations by applying technical skills to optimize plant operations, resolve plant problems, and enable safe and efficient production of cost-competitive quality products. This role requires conceptual knowledge of theories, techniques, and methodology within the analytical technology discipline, along with a broad working knowledge and experience in the job discipline, to perform a range of work assignments.

Responsibilities - Duties, projects, tasks, and activities you would be responsible for in this role

• Works closely with both the operations and maintenance teams, leveraging their problem-solving skills and technical expertise.
• Elevates and appropriately applies knowledge of the plant and technology, referencing historical data and conferring with the Technology Center or other subject matter experts (SMEs).
• Ensures Most Effective Technology (MET) is understood and utilized, and that process automation is used as a tool to optimize plant performance.
• Utilizes defined MET and challenges/escalates MET application and assumptions when better solutions arise.
• Partners with experts to perform advanced troubleshooting and improve and document operating discipline.
• Diagnoses and documents the root causes of asset utilization losses in the facility.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in equipment failures and repair techniques during root cause investigations
• Acts as the technical expert and provides technical expertise during unplanned events, and drives the implementation of effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Understands why specific procedure steps and precautions are needed and keeps a strong field presence to reinforce the importance.
• Conducts daily review of process data and alarm history to better understand the plant operation and stay engaged with daily activities.
• Maintains, owns, and reviews appropriate daily Key Process Indicators (KPI)/ trends to ensure optimum performance.
• Provides leadership, expertise, diagnosis, and optimization in plant Raw Material Efficiency, which includes yield, operating rates, and reduction in waste generation.
• Ensures compliance with plant operating permits. Understands site integration and provides input to optimize the overall system.
• For equipment that is critical for the process, ensure that work requests include engineering input on repair details such as clearances, tolerances, materials of construction, welding procedures, etc., and if necessary, provide onsite/offsite technical support for deviations from this data.
• Ensures repairs, repair techniques, and equipment-specific training are documented and made available
• Support the preventive maintenance strategy as required in reviewing the spare parts list for existing equipment.
• As required, provides engineering input to work packages to ensure standards are followed.
• During the development of turnaround work, provides input on the development of work orders, particularly on critical equipment requiring engineering review or input.
• Provide equipment reliability and performance data to the technical resource networks for input into equipment purchasing requirements, evaluation of equipment performance, and vendor performance.
• Serves as a technical resource during procedure creation and review.
• Responds urgently to plant issues and emergencies.

Qualifications - Required education, experience, and abilities that are needed for this role (must-haves)

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in engineering, manufacturing, or related fields.
• A minimum requirement for this U.S.-based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.

Preferred Skills

• Technical Work : A strong understanding of engineering principles, particularly in Mechanical Engineering, is essential. This includes knowledge of process automation and the ability to apply Most Effective Technology (MET) to optimize plant performance.
• Problem-Solving : The ability to diagnose and document root causes of asset utilization losses, perform advanced troubleshooting, and quickly resolve plant problems is crucial for maintaining safe and reliable operations.
• Leadership : Demonstrating active leadership by coaching, asking questions, and intervening when needed. Taking ownership of the success and failure of the assigned unit and being a role model for professionalism and expected behaviors in the plant.
• Continuous Improvement Management : Applying continuous improvement, value creation, and financial acumen skills to accelerate profitability and low-cost service of the facility. Understanding the financial aspects of plant operations, including margins and the total cost of production.
• Interpersonal Communication : Strong technical and interpersonal skills are required to work effectively with multiple functions and diverse workgroups, including Operations, Maintenance, Logistics, R&D, EH&S, and the Tech Center.
• Customer Focused : Understanding customer needs and driving high levels of quality, responsiveness, and reliability for the customer. Ensuring compliance with plant operating permits and optimizing site integration.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response : Responding urgently to plant issues and emergencies, acting as a unit technical expert during unplanned events, and driving the implementation of effective corrective and preventative actions, and providing leadership and expertise in plant Raw Material Efficiency, including yield or waste generation.

Willing and able to meet the physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations

• Wear safety equipment, such as earplugs, goggles, and steel-toed shoes.
• Wear and use respirators.
• Perform frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Work in tight or closed-in spaces.
• Climb stairs/ladders and work high off the ground.
• Stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• This role does involve elevated work greater than or equal to four feet above the ground.

Circulus Arab, PBLLC (and all related entities, subsidiaries, and affiliates) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may