Extrusion Engineer

Role details

Extrusion Engineer

Full time Onsite in Battle Creek, MI

C.A. Picard is a global company which manufactures and reconditions the wear parts that keep extruders running. Wear parts include screw elements, shafts, barrel sections and relines for applications including plastics compounding and pet food production. We are part of a family-owned German company of over 500 people worldwide, with our North American operation based in Battle Creek, Michigan.

We are adding a dedicated engineer to our extrusion division. This is not a role you inherit; it is one you build. You will decide how our technical review process works and which components and metallurgies we recommend to customers. If you are tired of your ideas getting stuck three layers down, this is a place where you will see the effect of your work in real time.

Position Summary

The Extrusion Engineer is responsible for providing technical expertise and engineering support related to extrusion equipment, components, and processes.

You will:

• Create and review component drawings and specifications ensuring the correct parts reach our customers.
• Develop and recommend appropriate screw, barrel, and shaft designs, materials, and wear solutions based on customer applications.
• Manage the specification and development of existing and new materials for the extrusion process.
• Visit customer plants to measure and document new and worn parts.
• Reverse-engineer and develop new component designs which our customer base requires.
• Assist with managing our global database by mapping OEM part numbers to our parts by machine type.
• Actively support the creation, rollout, and adherence to company procedures pertaining to engineering.
• Recommend which components and raw materials should be stocked based on real demand data.
• Travel either individually or with outside sales team to key customers, handling any technical conversation which may arise.
• Evaluate component wear, failure modes, and operating conditions and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist customers with troubleshooting extrusion equipment and process-related problems.
• Review and interpret equipment drawings, component drawings, and technical documentation.
• Work alongside our engineering teams in Germany and China on shared projects, serving as an internal liaison.

This position works closely with customers, sales, and manufacturing teams to understand application requirements, develop appropriate technical solutions, troubleshoot extrusion-related issues, and support the successful delivery of products and services.

The ideal candidate will have practical knowledge of extrusion, particularly twin-screw, and will be comfortable working directly with customers to identify technical requirements and develop solutions involving screws, barrels, shafts, and other wear components.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with twin screw extrusion, namely in the plastics compounding sector.
• Working knowledge of screw and barrel wear: abrasion, corrosion, adhesion, and how different metallurgy compositions affect part performance.
• Familiarity with tool steels, powder metallurgy grades, and a willingness to build that judgement further with support from our group engineering team.
• Comfortable measuring and inspecting new and worn parts and reading and marking up drawings.
• Ability to communicate with a maintenance supervisor on a plant floor and to a purchasing manager on a call, and to provide a deliverable which the customer can understand.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to customer sites by car or plane when needed.
• Valid driver's license.
• CAD and 3D modeling experience.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience with single screw extrusion (especially in pet and aqua feed sector).
• Direct experience with other industry players including Coperion, CPM/Century, KraussMaffei Berstorff, Steer, Entek, Bühler, Clextral, Wenger, Extru-Tech, and Andritz.
• Degree in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing engineering (we recognize that relevant experience is just as important).
• German language, given we are a German-owned subsidiary.

Core Competencies

• Technical problem solving
• Mechanical and process engineering
• Customer relationship management
• Application engineering
• Technical communication
• Troubleshooting and root-cause analysis
• Project management
• Attention to detail
• Team collaboration
• Ability to work independently

Success in This Role

Success in this position will be demonstrated through the ability to:

• Provide technically sound and commercially practical solutions to customer requirements.
• Reduce technical errors and improve the quality of customer quotations and orders.
• Successfully troubleshoot extrusion equipment and component problems.
• Support sales growth through effective technical and application support.
• Improve component performance, reliability, and service life.
• Serve as a knowledgeable internal and external resource for extrusion technology.

Compensation And Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for performance-based annual bonus
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match 4%
• Paid time off and holidays
• Mileage and travel expenses covered
• Company laptop and measurement equipment provided

Why This Role

Our extrusion parts business is the heartbeat of what we do and with rapid growth we need a dedicated engineer for the product line. That is the opportunity: the technical foundation of this business line has not been built yet, and the person in this seat gets to build it. You will report directly to the Co-President, work with a small team that knows each other by name, and have your recommendations acted on rather than filed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 75-95k

Work Location: Battle Creek, Michigan.

C.A. Picard Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person