What does a junior process engineer do?
Typically working in the manufacturing industry, a junior process engineer is in charge of designing and developing procedures to optimize manufacturing operations. Among their responsibilities include understanding and identifying the needs of the company, gathering and analyzing data, developing prototypes and test structures, managing budgets and timelines, and producing regular progress reports. They may also assess existing systems and procedures, recommending solutions against problem areas. Furthermore, as a junior process engineer, it is essential to provide support to staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Junior process engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real junior process engineer resumes:
- Lead and assist maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
- Insure compliance with ISO and OSHA regulations.
- Monitor and control programmable logic controller (PLC).
- Maintain responsibility for manufacturing large-scale inorganic chemical synthesis.
- Systemize the Deviation/CAPA and train on investigations utilizing DMAIC.
Junior process engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Junior Process Engineers are proficient in P Id, Lean Manufacturing, and Sigma. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Creativity, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Junior Process Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- P Id, 8%
Process Engineering Co-op Identified opportunities for scrap reduction at this investment casting foundry.
- Lean Manufacturing, 7%
Compiled and wrote training material and conducted training sessions on lean manufacturing, 5S and six sigma.
- Sigma, 7%
Utilized LEAN manufacturing and statistical analysis including Six Sigma to design experiments, improve yield, and make other manufacturing improvements.
- Autocad, 6%
Utilized AutoCad for plant layout modifications or capital projects.
- Instrumentation Diagrams, 6%
Review and highlight Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams for compliance and regulatory applicability.
- Product Quality, 6%
Designed new equipment parts and processes to improve product quality and throughput (i.e.
"p id," "lean manufacturing," and "sigma" are among the most common skills that junior process engineers use at work. You can find even more junior process engineer responsibilities below, including:
Listening skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a junior process engineer to have is listening skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." Junior process engineers often use listening skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "audited casting machines to identify problems, review process times on plc and communicated problems to operators and supervisor. "
Creativity. Another essential skill to perform junior process engineer duties is creativity. Junior process engineers responsibilities require that "industrial engineers use creativity and ingenuity to design new production processes in many kinds of settings in order to reduce the use of material resources, time, or labor while accomplishing the same goal." Junior process engineers also use creativity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "conducted lean six sigma operations project culminating in the creation of a strategic inventory response tool. "
Problem-solving skills. junior process engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to junior process engineer responsibilities, because "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." A junior process engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "provide solution for eutectic melting problem that salem plant has in their production process. "
Speaking skills. junior process engineer responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." This resume example shows what junior process engineers do with speaking skills on a typical day: "solve quality problems presented in production lines* disposition of material from rbeii in order to manufacture harnesses. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in junior process engineer job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what junior process engineers do. Junior process engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." You can also see how junior process engineer duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "obtained external training for waste water treatment, effective business writing for professionals and aspen hysys. "
Math skills. Lastly, "math skills" is an important element of what a junior process engineer does. Junior process engineer responsibilities require this skill because "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This resume example highlights how junior process engineer duties rely on this skill: "experience auto cad, smart plant, pds caesar ii, mathcad"
The three companies that hire the most junior process engineers are:
- Leidos6 junior process engineers jobs
- CACI International2 junior process engineers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies2 junior process engineers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable junior process engineer resume templates
Build a professional junior process engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior process engineer resume.Compare different junior process engineers
Junior process engineer vs. Engineering associate
An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, junior process engineer responsibilities require skills like "lean manufacturing," "autocad," "instrumentation diagrams," and "product quality." Meanwhile a typical engineering associate has skills in areas such as "python," "java," "c++," and "c #." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Engineering associates tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,950. In contrast, junior process engineers make the biggest average salary, $77,839, in the automotive industry.engineering associates tend to reach similar levels of education than junior process engineers. In fact, engineering associates are 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Junior process engineer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real junior process engineer resumes. While junior process engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "p id," "lean manufacturing," "autocad," and "instrumentation diagrams," engineering trainees use skills like "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "boilers."
Engineering trainees may earn a lower salary than junior process engineers, but engineering trainees earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $63,253. On the other hand, junior process engineers receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $77,839.engineering trainees earn higher levels of education than junior process engineers in general. They're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Junior process engineer vs. Mechanical engineering internship
One of the primary responsibilities in a mechanical engineering internship is to follow directives from engineers and managers while gaining practical experience. There are instances when an intern must take part in crafting various materials under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, produce reports and paperwork, operate tools and devices, and provide assistance should anyone need. Furthermore, it is essential to report to managers and supervisors if any issues arise.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, junior process engineers are more likely to have skills like "lean manufacturing," "autocad," "product quality," and "process equipment." But a mechanical engineering internship is more likely to have skills like "mechanical design," "mechanical systems," "revit," and "auto cad."
Mechanical engineering interns earn the best pay in the hospitality industry, where they command an average salary of $44,983. Junior process engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $77,839.Most mechanical engineering interns achieve a similar degree level compared to junior process engineers. For example, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Junior process engineer vs. Packaging engineer
A Packaging Engineer plans and implements packaging designs to ensure product integrity and appeal. Their primary duties include supervising and managing the complete packaging development process, analyzing engineering drawings, and conducting periodic vendor reviews.
Types of junior process engineer
Updated January 8, 2025











