What does a process engineer do?
A Process Engineer is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to process particular raw materials into different kinds of products. They can also modify various existing machines or maintain their quality by monitoring its functions and conducting tests and examinations. A Process Engineer must do numerous analyses and research to gather data that would help determine possible improvements or decisions to uphold. Furthermore, A Process Engineer also has the task of procuring and installing new equipment, collecting and interpreting data, assessing risks, and ensuring that tasks are done safely.
Process engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real process engineer resumes:
- Lead KAIZEN projects to eliminate waste categories stemming from corrugation process.
- Create and manage SharePoint sites for teams to collaborate on the work.
- Lead and participate in KAIZEN events, IQ, OQ, PQ activities, set-up reduction techniques.
- Lead a team, scheduling, resource planning, to create 120 catheters on schedule for a clinical trial.
- Manage the operated and non-operate AFE process from implementation to cost allocation.
- Obtain referrals, track hospitalized patients, interface with manage care intermediaries/medical personnel.
- Perform customer demos for various process technologies, including sample etching, cross section samples, and SEM results.
- Maintain and troubleshoot process equipment; recommending and implementing modifications, and specifying new equipment as required by new operations.
- Apply SQL queries to refine large datasets in ESRI's ArcMap.
- Accept a leadership role (Sr.
- Create a simulation for verifying CIP capacity and scheduling.
- Perform validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) of system equipment and manufacturing processes.
- Perform CD SEM tool selection and make recommendation for tool purchase.
- Work on several green belt projects as well as worked with MiniTab.
- Create and maintain databases using SQL and spreadsheets for engineering change orders.
Process engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Process Engineers are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Process Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 8%
Conducted internal classes on effective leadership and continuous improvement practices to help department managers and supervisors improve their business unit performance.
- Sigma, 5%
Performed Lean Six Sigma Analysis to reduce variation and improve productivity on key product manufacturing and packaging lines.
- Lean Manufacturing, 5%
Worked with Lean Manufacturing Team of operators, logistics, production, development to identify and prioritize high value capacity improvements.
- Project Management, 5%
Generated detailed testing plans and organized their execution with a university laboratory to investigate and resolve client inquiries for project management.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Led and assisted maintenance in resolving equipment malfunctions, troubleshoot process problems, and organize and implement preventative maintenance procedures.
- Lean Six Sigma, 3%
Maintained daily planet operation, performed and analyze lean six sigma methodology.
"continuous improvement," "sigma," and "lean manufacturing" are among the most common skills that process engineers use at work. You can find even more process engineer responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. One of the key soft skills for a process engineer to have is creativity. You can see how this relates to what process engineers do because "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." Additionally, a process engineer resume shows how process engineers use creativity: "implement continuous improvement ideas in the areas of inventory, motion, defects, skills, and safety. "
Listening skills. Many process engineer duties rely on listening skills. "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff," so a process engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways process engineer responsibilities rely on listening skills: "developed vba database to facilitate data analysis and report generation communicated with customers to identify the root cause and establish solutions. "
Math skills. process engineers are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to process engineer responsibilities, because "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." A process engineer resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "established doe and performed extensive data analysis using statistics (jmp, tableau) to deliver excellent process and hardware performance. "
Problem-solving skills. process engineer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "in designing facilities for manufacturing and processes for providing services, these engineers deal with several issues at once, from workers’ safety to quality assurance." This resume example shows what process engineers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "developed and presented front-end engineering and process design packages offering variable cost/design solutions meeting clients' operational and financial needs. "
Speaking skills. Another crucial skill for a process engineer to carry out their responsibilities is "speaking skills." A big part of what process engineers relies on this skill, since "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." How this skill relates to process engineer duties can be seen in an example from a process engineer resume snippet: "owned and presented two company-wide formal process design reviews for peer input. "
Writing skills. While "writing skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to process engineer responsibilities. Much of what a process engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of process engineers: "experience using and writing programs for data analysis, data acquisition, and image processing"
The three companies that hire the most process engineers are:
- Black & Veatch133 process engineers jobs
- Ingevity120 process engineers jobs
- Applied Materials70 process engineers jobs
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Compare different process engineers
Process engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a process engineer are more likely to require skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "troubleshoot," and "lean six sigma." On the other hand, a job as a research and development engineer requires skills like "python," "c #," "patients," and "prototype." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Research and development engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $107,654. On the other hand, process engineers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $87,797.research and development engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than process engineers. In fact, research and development engineers are 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.5% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Process engineer vs. Manufacturing engineer
Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for handling and developing an efficient manufacturing system or procedure that will help a company produce up to standard products while in adherence to the policies, regulations, and expected cost and schedule. Furthermore, Manufacturing Engineers must also monitor quality control, identify or detect errors, provide and suggest improvements, oversee the procurement of materials involved in the production, and coordinate with various teams or departments within the company to ensure the effectiveness of innovations or new developments.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real process engineer resumes. While process engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "data analysis," "statistical analysis," "minitab," and "process equipment," manufacturing engineers use skills like "process control," "product design," "production processes," and "shop floor."
Manufacturing engineers earn a lower average salary than process engineers. But manufacturing engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $81,429. Additionally, process engineers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $87,797 annually.In general, manufacturing engineers achieve similar levels of education than process engineers. They're 2.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for process engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Andrea Welker Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University
Process engineer vs. Quality control engineer
A quality control engineer is responsible for conducting quality assessments for the company's products and services to ensure adherence to federal regulations and quality standards. Quality control engineers recommend strategic methods by analyzing processes and writing test results. They also identify opportunities for more services that meet public demands and market trends, helping the business generate more resources for revenues. A quality control engineer utilizes various software tools and applications to document findings, requiring them to have excellent communication and technical skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a process engineer is likely to be skilled in "lean manufacturing," "project management," "troubleshoot," and "lean six sigma," while a typical quality control engineer is skilled in "test procedures," "management system," "quality system," and "process control."
Quality control engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $83,131. On the other hand, process engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $87,797.When it comes to education, quality control engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to process engineers. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Process engineer vs. Quality engineer
A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between process engineers and quality engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a process engineer might have more use for skills like "project management," "troubleshoot," "cad," and "process equipment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of quality engineers require skills like "quality system," "process control," "supplier quality," and "management system. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for quality engineers, with average annual pay of $84,890. Comparatively, the highest process engineer annual salary comes from the technology industry.quality engineers reach similar levels of education compared to process engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of process engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
