Process Manufacturing Technician
Location: Hickory, NC
Department: Engineering / Manufacturing
Employment Type: Full-Time
Turbocoating Corp., doing business as Lincotek Surface Solutions, is a leading surface treatment manufacturer within the Lincotek Group. We are a recognized center of excellence serving the Industrial Gas Turbine and Aerospace industries with advanced coating technologies.
Lincotek Group is a global leader in engineered coating solutions, operating throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas across four business divisions:
- Aerospace
- Industrial Gas Turbine
- Biomedical
- Equipment
Position Summary
The Process Manufacturing Technician partners with Engineering and Production to provide first-line technical support on the manufacturing floor. This role ensures production processes operate efficiently by executing established manufacturing procedures, troubleshooting day-to-day production issues, supporting qualification activities, collecting process data, and implementing approved tooling, masking, setup, and program modifications.
The Process Manufacturing Technician works closely with Process Engineers by executing documented processes and providing practical production feedback. Process Engineers retain responsibility for process development, validation, advanced programming, engineering approvals, and technical decision-making.
Essential Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary first-level technical support resource for production cells, responding quickly to manufacturing issues and assisting operators during daily production.
- Train new operators on equipment operation, technical processes, work instructions, defect identification, and documentation requirements.
- Monitor components throughout the manufacturing process to collect process data, identify abnormalities, troubleshoot issues, and communicate findings to Engineering and Production.
- Execute established process instructions, parameter sheets, SOPs, work instructions, setup documentation, and approved manufacturing procedures.
- Recommend improvements to process documentation, tooling, masking methods, setup practices, and work instructions for Engineering review.
- Verify machine setup, tooling, masking, equipment readiness, and production configurations prior to manufacturing and qualification runs.
- Operate production equipment as needed to evaluate approved tooling, masking, setup, and program modifications.
- Create, modify, and maintain recovery programs using applicable software to support daily production requirements.
- Perform approved program modifications that remain within validated process parameters and do not require engineering validation or new process development.
- Support qualification activities by preparing equipment, verifying setups, executing production runs, collecting KPI and process data, and documenting observations for Process Engineers.
- Utilize GOM/Blue Light Scan technology and other precision measuring equipment to verify component dimensions and process performance.
- Collect, compile, and report weekly and monthly manufacturing KPI data.
- Provide technical guidance to manufacturing personnel regarding equipment setup and production best practices.
- Escalate process changes, validation requirements, root cause investigations, parameter changes, and complex technical issues to the Process Engineer.
- Manage assigned projects and priorities while meeting production schedules and business objectives.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
- Follow all company safety policies and actively promote a safe workplace.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Machining Technology, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field; or
Equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing process support experience.
Preferred Experience
- Manufacturing process support within aerospace, industrial gas turbine, precision machining, coating, or other high-precision manufacturing environments.
- Experience supporting CNC machining, thermal spray, coating operations, or similar manufacturing processes.
- Experience providing shop-floor technical support in a production environment.
- Required Skills
- Strong production support mindset with the ability to respond quickly to manufacturing issues.
- Experience creating and modifying recovery programs and performing approved program updates.
- Proficiency using CAM software and manufacturing support systems.
- Experience using GOM/Blue Light Scan systems or comparable metrology equipment.
- Strong understanding of machining, tooling, masking, coating, and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical documentation.
- Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting aptitude.
- Experience using precision measuring instruments including calipers, micrometers, gauges, and inspection equipment.
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
- Excellent troubleshooting, organizational, communication, and documentation abilities.
- Ability to recognize when engineering review, validation, or root cause analysis is required.
Work Environment
This position is approximately:
80% Manufacturing Floor
20% Office Environment
