Process Engineer Review

Daily tasks include: gathering data from previous day and uploading to excel, using the data to find out top loss machines and reasons for losses. Then checking the lines' centrelining settings to see if they are all correct and if any have changed the reason why. This is then presented in the morning meeting to the team to help direct the work for the day. If there a consistent everyday losses a thorough Root Cause Analysis investigation is carried out. This means spending time to sketch the problem, look at machine system and its overall components to find out what was the cause of the problem to solve the issue. If from the solution there was a new operating procedure made, I would train the machine operators on the line.

Yes, after the first month of learning about machines, how the factory works and job role, you are given responsibility as if you are the process engineer for the line. Of course, you are aided and helped if you had any questions but there's no such thing as you're not ready to do something. I had responsibility over the data for the morning meeting, training operators on new procedures and carrying out Root Cause Analysis work.

Problem solving, excel, independent thinking and working, communication,
The biggest skills I have developed are problem solving, excel, critical thinking, communication and project management. Problem solving is used everyday as you will have to think about new solutions and why a problem has occurred in order to solve the issue. Sometimes it is a material issue and so will need to contact a supplier, or a mechanical component has been worn but not noticed, the settings of the machines are wrong or to add a new component to help eg. a jig or housing piece.

My manager was very proactive and really pushed me to do things when I was too shy or unconfident to try it. As he was the Production Manager he always had a busy day and schedule but if I ever needed time to speak he would make time. He made sure to guide me but in a way that I learned along the way and not to just rely on what he was telling me to do. The line team I work with helped me a lot in understanding the machine processes. Also the other process engineers in the factory helped me a lot in understanding the work.

The environment in the factory was not diverse as majority of workers were white males. As a female engineer of a different ethnic background I was really intimidated when I started as I had always been in multicultural environments. However, I have never felt put down or out of place for being different, everyone works together and judges everyone by the way you work not the person you are. There is a nice team element in the factory as you see the same people everyday.

I really enjoyed being in a factory and learning about the manufacturing industry as a whole. It opened my eyes to the various jobs in the industry. I also had an opportunity to visit R&D which made me understand the work that goes into production. There were some days were I was stressed and felt overwhelmed due to the fast-paced environment or days where I felt like I did not know how to contribute in terms of solving a problem. Overall, I enjoyed the placement, although I would not want to be a Process Engineer again I am grateful as it has shown me what career pathway I want to take.

Yes