Industrial Process Engineer
Job Description
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: $75k - $115k
Must have Skill Set: BS Industrial Engineering degree or similar
- Optimize centerline settings, machine parameters, and production setpoints to improve throughput, efficiency, and quality
- Lead process improvement initiatives across changeovers, sanitation, tooling, and workflow optimization using Lean and TPM methodologies
- Analyze equipment performance data and CMMS (M+) work orders to identify trends, root causes, and reliability improvement opportunities
- Improve equipment uptime and reduce scrap by strengthening preventive maintenance strategies and spare parts planning
- Partner with Maintenance to enhance PM programs, repair procedures, and overall asset health management
- Support capital projects including Commissioning, Validation, and Startup (CVS) activities to ensure seamless operational integration
- Evaluate and recommend automation, cost-reduction, and process control improvements
- Establish documentation standards for OEMs and vendors to support training, operational readiness, and long-term reliability
- Act as the technical liaison for OEMs, coordinating service visits and troubleshooting efforts
- Coach and develop cross-functional operational teams to drive defect elimination and continuous improvement initiatives
- Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related Engineering/Technology discipline
- 2–5 years of experience in manufacturing process improvement, reliability engineering, or industrial engineering
- Experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Lean manufacturing principles
- Strong data analysis skills with experience reviewing CMMS data and performance metrics
- Proficiency with SAP, PLC systems, AutoCAD (or similar CAD software), and shop floor integration systems
- Experience in food manufacturing or packaging environments preferred
- Working knowledge of plant operations, packaging, and processing equipment
- Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive measurable operational improvements
Meet Your Recruiter
Alicia Alexander
Technical Recruiter & Team Mentor
Alicia Alexander is a Technical Recruiter and Team Mentor at Sterling Engineering with four years of recruiting experience and nearly three years with Sterling. She specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and technical recruiting, supporting roles across maintenance, reliability, operations, engineering, and industrial environments, including food and life sciences.
Alicia is passionate about helping people find careers where they feel genuinely happy, supported, and positioned for long-term growth. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with candidates, helping them take the next step in their careers, and supporting companies as they build strong, high-performing teams.
With a background in psychology and human resources from North Central College, Alicia brings a people-focused approach to recruiting. Her understanding of relationship building, communication, and candidate motivation helps her create successful matches between talent and opportunity.
Alicia is known for developing strong partnerships with both candidates and hiring managers, with a focus on creating long-term placements that benefit both the individual and the organization.