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Process engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted experts

Vianney Gimenez-Pinto Ph.D,

Bryant Harrison

The hard skills required for a process engineer will depend largely on the specific area of work. One of the most important hard skills process engineers across the board can possess, however, is strong knowledge of relevant procedures and creating strategies for continuous improvement. They may also need the hard skill of work with computer-aided design (CAD).

When it comes to soft skills, process engineers should have finely tuned skills of discernment to ensure a consistently high product quality. Process engineers need to do a good amount of data analysis as well, so analytical skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical process engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for process engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.1% of process engineer resumes contained continuous improvement as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a process engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 process engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how process engineers use continuous improvement:

Conducted internal classes on effective leadership and continuous improvement practices to help department managers and supervisors improve their business unit performance.
Assisted in developing a long-term strategy for continuous improvement around safety, quality, productivity and capacity of the projects.

2. Sigma

In Greek alphabets, sigma is the 18th letter that means "to sum up". In statistics, the lower case symbol of sigma is the unit of measurement for standard deviation which is used to assess the variability in a given set of data. While the upper case symbol is for summation notation means to add up all the given numbers in the data set.

Here's how process engineers use sigma:

Performed Lean Six Sigma Analysis to reduce variation and improve productivity on key product manufacturing and packaging lines.
Worked directly with production personnel and management to identify and implement efficiency improvements using LEAN Six Sigma principles.

3. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how process engineers use lean manufacturing:

Worked with Lean Manufacturing Team of operators, logistics, production, development to identify and prioritize high value capacity improvements.
Hired to ensure production compliance with regulatory and Lean manufacturing requirements across production teams and training for contract manufacturers.

4. Project Management

Here's how process engineers use project management:

Generated detailed testing plans and organized their execution with a university laboratory to investigate and resolve client inquiries for project management.
Provided project management and process engineering to window and door manufacturing facilities in Oregon, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

5. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how process engineers use troubleshoot:

Led and assisted maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
Analyze process data using simulation software to identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot, and provide recommendations to optimize process.

6. Lean Six Sigma

Here's how process engineers use lean six sigma:

Maintained daily planet operation, performed and analyze lean six sigma methodology.
Trained on Lean Six Sigma techniques & a leader of a RIE team, delivering an annual savings of $20,000.

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7. Data Analysis

Here's how process engineers use data analysis:

Achieved greater than 50% alignment time reduction by integrating data analysis and parametric correlation for process optimization and product upgrades.
Developed and oversaw the implementation of LED production runs, utilizing data driven process decision making based on in-depth data analysis.

8. Product Quality

Product quality is the basic element of a business. It means to add features in a product or service in such a way that it meets the needs and wants of the customers. Enhancing the product quality also means improve the goods from any existing defects to ensure customer satisfaction.

Here's how process engineers use product quality:

Assisted in documenting, analyzing, and rectifying the root cause of production/manufacturing problems and maintaining customer relations and product quality.
Recognized for driving aggregate efficiency within manufacturing process and implementing innovative strategies that improved product quality and enhanced quality check points.

9. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how process engineers use technical support:

Consulted and provided key technical support for redesign of aircraft/jet engine customer machining facility to a lean, cellular manufacturing operation.
Controlled project costs and expenditures and provided technical support and performed direct maintenance work on equipment to maintain production efficiency.

10. Statistical Analysis

Here's how process engineers use statistical analysis:

Developed a standard reporting procedures and process documentation to collect data and perform statistical analysis to identify trends using productivity analyzer.
Designed and conducted engineering studies to support process development, using statistical analysis to interpret results and drive process improvements.

11. CAD

Here's how process engineers use cad:

Gained significant increases in cost-effectiveness and improved manufacturing process efficiency by using 3D CAD to design customized in-house tooling.
Utilized CAD to functionally produce updated technical documents used by skilled and non-skilled labor.

12. Corrective Action

Here's how process engineers use corrective action:

Conducted quality system, documents control, internal and external corrective actions follow-up to verify effectiveness and ensure smooth manufacturing process.
Verified that the quality processes and related metrics are followed and met applicable standards by monitoring required corrective actions where necessary.

13. Minitab

Minitab is a statistical analysis software that facilitates data gathering and analysis procedures. It provides comprehensive and organized results through graphs, charts, and summaries.

Here's how process engineers use minitab:

Produced control charts for statistical purposes using MiniTab.
Produced daily utility, water and sewer reports, using Word, Excel, Power Point, SQC Pack and MINITAB.

14. Process Equipment

Process equipment refers to the machinery used in processing and refining industries. This equipment is responsible for a single job in the refinement process, which can vary from maintaining the flow of a chemical, controlling chemical reactions, or even storing chemicals. Process equipment can also be broken down into two categories, which are fixed and rotating equipment, depending on the movement required from the equipment.

Here's how process engineers use process equipment:

Developed key performance indicators (KPI) for process equipment by studying daily operations and determining critical applications to monitor.
Introduced and participated in commissioning activities for three separate process equipment and drafted associated operating procedures to ensure effective operation.

15. Quality Standards

Quality standards are a specific level of standards of products that are set by the companies for the customers that have to be met and maintained throughout the process until the time of delivery. Quality standards are information that includes the customer's requirements, guidelines, and characteristics for the needed final product or service.

Here's how process engineers use quality standards:

Defined and developed quality standards for receiving, in-process, and final inspection in accordance with company standards and contractual requirements.
Audited vendor package performance to validate contractual guarantees and distribution networks to ensure all installations met project quality standards.

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What skills help Process Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on process engineer resumes?

Vianney Gimenez-Pinto Ph.D

Assistant Professor of Physics and Chemistry, Lincoln University of Missouri

Physicists are valued for their abstraction, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. However, I would not recommend spelling those out in a resume as they are embedded already in the major. A robust undergraduate resume should have research experiences, either based in their home-university or as an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program in another institution. Also, it should include conference presentations and internships. Those show the candidate's ability to apply the before-mentioned skills successfully.

If we must point out skills: Coding, common languages include (but are not limited to) Java, C/C++ and Python; Mathematical Modeling; and Experimental Design.

What soft skills should all process engineers possess?

Bryant Harrison

Instructor, Murray State University

Engineers are constantly working with a variety of people on a project. These people could be other engineers in the same department or other departments, managers, stakeholders, and customers. The ability to communicate both on a technical and non-technical level with these people is likely the most important soft skill for a design engineer.

What hard/technical skills are most important for process engineers?

David Nielsen Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Arizona State University

Strong fundamental understandings of mass and energy balances, as well as thermodynamics; data analysis.

What process engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Peter Rosado

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Georgia College and State University

I tell students to call their "gap" year more of a "Developmental" year. If a graduate desires to have such a year, they should focus on their whole as a goal, which means not only developing their professionalism but have other experiences. For example, travel to another country, learn a new language, intern at a company outside of the US, get involved further in the field of study. What stands out in candidates is how they made use of their time, skills that they acquired, and how they could weave them into the position they are applying for. That the candidate has had experiences outside of their comfort zone tells me, as an employer, that they are flexible and can adapt to situations that are new and unpredictable.

What type of skills will young process engineers need?

Andy Gerrick

Associate Professor and Chair, Embry-Riddle, Prescott

Most important is the ability to pull together the problem-solving skills learned in the different engineering courses to solve real-world, multidisciplinary, engineering problems. This requires a clear understanding of the problem and the requirements, and it requires a thorough understanding of engineering concepts. Memorizing problem solutions is of no value because no one will pay you to solve a problem that has already been solved. An engineer's ability to communicate is also extremely important. Engineering is a collaborative endeavor, so if you are not able to communicate your ideas, you are not contributing.

What technical skills for a process engineer stand out to employers?

Tracy Farrell

Adjunct Instructor, Clarkson University

Technical skills that employers are seeking include "real" computer skills like Microsoft Office Suite tools, proper communication skills via email and website development and postings, developing proper document format that is appropriate to send to stakeholders (i.e., letter formatting, report writing, email formatting); strong communication skills that include speaking professionally and respectfully to stakeholders as well as writing professionally (i.e., making eye contact when speaking, proper handshake, respectful dialogue including questioning); project management - knowing how to organize work and develop a timeline that includes who will be responsible for what and follow through; data analysis - being able to not only present data in an organized and understandable manner; but, be able to interpret data correctly offering the justification behind what they are interpreting and why.

Respectfully, today's graduates do not understand that being able to text and use social media does not prepare them for "real" computer skills. Many students that I have in high school and in college do not have proper writing skills, document formatting skills, or document management skills to know how to save documents properly and where to save to.

Do you want to know more?

List of process engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a process engineer resume and required skills for a process engineer to have include:

Continuous Improvement
Sigma
Lean Manufacturing
Project Management
Troubleshoot
Lean Six Sigma
Data Analysis
Product Quality
Technical Support
Statistical Analysis
CAD
Corrective Action
Minitab
Process Equipment
Quality Standards
Process Improvement
Engineering Support

Statistical Process Control
Process Design
Capital Projects
ISO
DOE
Data Collection
R
Excellent Interpersonal
Cost Reduction
Production Process
GMP
Solidworks
Process Changes
FMEA
Strong Analytical
Process Optimization
PLC

IDS
Kaizen
Process Documentation
FDA
OSHA
Production Equipment
QA
P Id
CNC
Math
Provide Engineering Support
Good Communication
Process Flow Diagrams
Product Development
Process Issues

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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