Post job

What does a staff process engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
9 min read
Quoted expert
John O'Haver Ph.D.

A staff process engineer oversees workflows. They are responsible for building rapport between staff members, crafting reports for management, conduct risk assessments, and implement process changes.


They monitor their workplace to locate areas where efficiency could be improved.

On this page

Staff process engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real staff process engineer resumes:

  • Manage customer complaint resolution, root cause analysis, maintaining conformance for ISO certification.
  • Develop a method to get AutoCad isometric drawings relevant to relief valve transferred electronically to the relief valve sizing package.
  • Assist with characterization of CMOS photolithography process and optimize focus and exposure settings for all layers.

Staff process engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Staff Process Engineers are proficient in Process Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Sigma. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Staff Process Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Process Engineering, 7%

    Managed equipment and process engineering personnel.

  • Continuous Improvement, 6%

    Led the Carbonless Continuous Improvement team with focus on cost reductions projects.

  • Sigma, 6%

    Lead a project dealing with blood glucose products applying experimental design (DOE) and Six Sigma Concepts.

  • Process Equipment, 6%

    Evaluated various designs of process equipment for desired qualities of paper.

  • Process Control, 6%

    Maintained and reviewed process controls for specialty products and materials from anode manufacturing to reeling of capacitors.

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Utilize Step Chart for weekly rework data analysis.

"process engineering," "continuous improvement," and "sigma" are among the most common skills that staff process engineers use at work. You can find even more staff process engineer responsibilities below, including:

Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a staff process engineer to have is creativity. Their role and 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." Staff process engineers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "placed orders with outside vendors according to customer needs, and also to maintain expected inventory levels of certain product lines. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling staff process engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "these engineers often operate in teams, but they also must solicit feedback from customers, vendors, and production staff." According to a staff process engineer resume, here's how staff process engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated directly with the customer to develop new process chemistries or troubleshoot issues with current processes. "

Problem-solving skills. staff process engineers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to staff 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 staff process engineer resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "conceived and developed equipment and process solutions to increase yield and output while keeping a keen eye on material cost reduction. "

Speaking skills. For certain staff process engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "speaking skills." The day-to-day duties of a staff process engineer rely on this skill, as "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what staff process engineers do: "presented hazop methodology to technical staff. "

Writing skills. Another common skill required for staff process engineer responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of staff process engineers all the time, as "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." An excerpt from a real staff process engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what a staff process engineer does: "contract position) responsibilities and accomplishments writing iq / oq / pq qualifications and execution of same. "

Math skills. While "math skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to staff process engineer responsibilities. Much of what a staff process engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of staff process engineers: "conducted classes to improve math skills for maintenance technicians and introduce statistical process control to machine operators. "

See the full list of staff process engineer skills

Choose from 10+ customizable staff process engineer resume templates

Build a professional staff 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 staff process engineer resume.
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume
Staff Process Engineer Resume

Compare different staff process engineers

Staff process engineer vs. Equipment engineer

The duties of an equipment engineer depend on one's organization or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around designing and developing mechanical and electronic equipment, analyzing and improving existing systems, performing customization according to customers' preferences, installing and removing attachments, and conducting regular maintenance procedures. An equipment engineer must also address issues and complaints, providing corrective measures promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with team members and other specialists, inspect and test new systems, and adhere to the company's policies and regulations.

The annual salary of equipment engineers is $26,052 lower than the average salary of staff process engineers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between staff process engineers and equipment engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like process engineering, continuous improvement, and sigma.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a staff process engineer are more likely to require skills like "sem," "troubleshoot," "process design," and "tem." On the other hand, a job as an equipment engineer requires skills like "equipment performance," "semiconductor," "project management," and "cad." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Equipment engineers really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $108,645. Comparatively, staff process engineers tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $149,320.On average, equipment engineers reach lower levels of education than staff process engineers. Equipment engineers are 8.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Staff 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.

Manufacturing engineer positions earn lower pay than staff process engineer roles. They earn a $45,069 lower salary than staff process engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Staff process engineers and manufacturing engineers both require similar skills like "continuous improvement," "sigma," and "process control" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, staff process engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "process engineering," "process equipment," "data analysis," and "sem." Meanwhile, a manufacturing engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "cad," "solidworks," "project management," and "cnc." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Manufacturing engineers may earn a lower salary than staff process engineers, but manufacturing engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $81,429. On the other hand, staff process engineers receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $149,320.manufacturing engineers earn lower levels of education than staff process engineers in general. They're 7.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for staff process engineers in the next 3-5 years?

John O'Haver Ph.D.John O'Haver Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor and Director of Center for Mathematics and Science Education, University of Mississippi

Again, alternative energy sources continue to grow in my field, though slowly, as they tend not to offer a high return on investment. One question is how many people will switch to electric vehicles, which would cut the long term demand for oil. Another is how many people and companies will find that they can operate "from home." Again, this will cut down on oil usage and, possibly, on-demand for new cars. High-speed internet for ALL our citizens is highly needed, as people work or attend school from home. Some of this will change as schools fully open up again.

Staff process engineer vs. Chemical engineer

A chemical engineer provides support for chemical operations and testing new processes. The processes they successfully come up with are used to make different products from gas, oil, food, and drink. It is their job to assist in designing new chemical processes and make improvements. They implement fresh ideas to improve standard quality and efficiency. They must be good planners and schedulers of project activities to help chemical technicians to achieve their project objectives and provide technical support to maintain safe, stable, and reliable operations.

An average chemical engineer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of staff process engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to chemical engineers earning a $34,142 lower average salary than staff process engineers.staff process engineers and chemical engineers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "process engineering," "sigma," and "process equipment," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from staff process engineer resumes include skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "tem," and "fmea," whereas a chemical engineer is more likely to list skills in "chemistry," "co-op," "chemical process," and "project management. "

Chemical engineers earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $97,766. Staff process engineers earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $149,320.When it comes to education, chemical engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to staff process engineers. In fact, they're 4.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Staff process engineer vs. Planning engineer

A planning engineer is in charge of developing plans and systems to organize and schedule project procedures, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities revolve around learning and understanding the extent of all operations, setting schedules and objectives, liaising with external parties such as vendors or distributors, and maintaining an active communication line with other departments. Furthermore, a planning engineer must monitor the progress of the workflow and the performance of the workforce, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Planning engineers tend to earn a lower pay than staff process engineers by an average of $41,070 per year.While their salaries may vary, staff process engineers and planning engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "process improvement," "engineering support," and "rf. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "process engineering," "continuous improvement," "sigma," and "process equipment" are skills that commonly show up on staff process engineer resumes. On the other hand, planning engineers use skills like project management, infrastructure, transmission planning, and nerc on their resumes.planning engineers enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $86,256. For comparison, staff process engineers earn the highest salary in the energy industry.The average resume of planning engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to staff process engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.6%.

Types of staff process engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse architecture and engineering jobs