Manufacturing Process Engineer

South Pittsburg, TN (On-site)

About the company

Lodge Cast Iron got its start over 125 years ago when Joseph Lodge founded the Blacklock Foundry in South Pittsburg, TN. His scrappy, hardworking spirit continues to lead the team today. They believe cast iron is for everyone and are dedicated to manufacturing American-made cookware they’re proud to use in their own homes and bring to kitchens, backyards, and campfires around the world. Day in and day out, they work together to stay safe, have fun, and be better than they were the day before.

The company stands by a simple recipe of just iron and oil — no forever chemicals. They’re passionate about keeping their campus in their hometown of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, providing great jobs to the community as they bring cookware to the next generation of cast iron chefs.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Engineering Services, the Manufacturing Process Engineer spends time where the work happens — on the plant floor, in conversations with operators and maintenance, and at the desk making sense of observations. The role moves between immediate production needs and longer-term improvements, requiring an understanding of how a change in one step affects the rest of the process. Ideas are tested in real production and refined with the people who use the process every day.

The ideal candidate is curious about why a process works the way it does and willing to ask questions before proposing a fix. They listen to operators, explain reasoning plainly, and bring people with different priorities toward a workable decision. They can move from an initial observation to a disciplined investigation and know when a practical improvement is ready to try. They follow through after implementation, learn from what happens on the floor, and take satisfaction in making work safer, more reliable, and easier to repeat.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize production line layouts and process flows for cast iron part manufacturing, from molding and pouring through cleaning, machining, and finishing.
• Develop and document standard processing methods, cycle times, and capacity models for new and existing product lines.
• Lead new line and cell layout projects, including equipment specification, plant floor arrangement, material flow, and ergonomics.
• Program and optimize CNC machining operations (part programs, tooling, and cutting parameters) to support new and existing processes, and partner with automation resources to incorporate robotic equipment into line designs.
• Support process qualification, PFMEA, and control plan development for new or changed processes.
• Conduct time studies, capacity analysis, and line balancing to optimize throughput and staffing.
• Participate in capital equipment and line projects, including specification, installation, runoff, and qualification, with travel as needed.
• Perform root cause analysis on process and quality issues using Shainin, 8D, and 5-Why methodologies.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, layouts, and standard work.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including quality, maintenance, and controls engineering, to support overall plant performance.

Requirements

• BS in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field, with 3–5 years of experience.
• In lieu of degree, 7–10 years of hands-on manufacturing/process engineering experience, including line layout or process design and a background in CNC/machining and robotic automation.

Qualifications

• Experience designing or improving production line layouts, process flows, and material handling for manufacturing or foundry operations.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing/foundry processes for metal or cast iron parts (molding, pouring, cleaning, machining, finishing) preferred.
• Experience with CNC programming and machining processes (part programs, tooling, fixturing, cutting parameters), plus a background in robotic automation (e.g., Fanuc, ABB, or similar), used both hands-on and to inform practical process and layout design.
• Experience with capacity analysis, time studies, and line balancing.
• Experience with CAD or facility/line layout tools (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills on the plant floor.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, GD&T, and process documentation.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills across engineering, maintenance, operations, and quality.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Insurance Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Life, and Short-Term Disability)
• On-Site Clinic and Fitness Center
• 401K Match and Deferred Profit-Sharing Program
• Quarterly Profit Sharing
• Employee Assistance Program
• Scholarship Opportunity and Tuition Reimbursement
• $150 Boot Allowance
• Employee Discount at Lodge Factory Store and Big Bad Breakfast
• Safety, Holiday, and Celebration Events