Heat Treat Process Engineering Supervisor at RH Sheppard Co Inc – Hanover, Pennsylvania

We're seeking a knowledgeable and detail-oriented Heat Treat Process Engineering Supervisor to lead and support all aspects of the heat treatment operations with a focus on quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Heat Treat Process Engineering Supervisor serves as a technical expert responsible for ensuring the proper thermal processing of materials to meet metallurgical and production requirements meeting all CQI-9 requirements. This role includes overseeing furnace operations, audits, documentation, process control, equipment maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have strong metallurgical knowledge, heat treat process experience, the ability to troubleshoot equipment and process issues, and the ability to manage compliance in a dynamic manufacturing environment. This role has direct supervisory responsibility for Lab Technicians, including scheduling, performance management, training, and ensuring compliance with laboratory testing standards and metallurgical validation requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Complete):

• Oversee and manage daily heat treat operations including carburizing, hardening, tempering, and stress relieving
• Ensure compliance with AIAG CQI-9: Heat Treat System Assessment (HTSA) and other applicable standards
• Implement and maintain heat treat process control plans per AIAG guidelines
• Conduct and lead CQI-9 self-assessments, audits, and ensure closure of gaps and non-conformances
• Ensure proper setup, calibration, and operation of furnaces and quench systems
• Monitor thermal cycles and maintain control charts, pyrometry data, and process records per CQI-9
• Support system accuracy tests (SAT), temperature uniformity surveys (TUS), and instrumentation calibration activities
• Ensure all documentation meets internal and customer-specific AIAG compliance requirements
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to address process improvements and problem-solving
• Perform metallurgical inspections including hardness testing and microstructure verification
• Provide technical guidance to operators and maintenance personnel on best practices
• Develop and optimize heat treat process parameters including atmosphere control, quench severity, and thermal cycle design to meet metallurgical and dimensional requirements
• Atmosphere verification (Carbon Potential, Dew Point, etc.)
• Distortion Mitigation Strategy
• Develop, implement, and maintain training programs to ensure team competency on heat treat systems and compliance
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for heat treat-related non-conformities
• Utilize Lean Six Sigma principles to drive cost reduction, efficiency, and quality improvements
• Maintain proper traceability and process documentation for internal and external audits
• Provide technical direction for furnace troubleshooting, repair validation, and upgrade initiatives in coordination with Maintenance
• Perform other duties as assigned or required in support of production and quality goals
• Directly supervise Lab Technicians, including daily work assignments and workload balancing
• Approve timecards, PTO, and manage attendance
• Perform other duties as assigned or required in support of production and quality goals

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Action oriented: Demonstrates ownership in solving process and compliance issues
• Self-Motivated: Demonstrates ability to take initiative and drive to achieve results. Proactively drives conformance with CQI-9 requirements and continuous improvement
• Accountability: Demonstrates ability to take responsibility and maintains sense of ownership and follow through on commitments. Sets high standards of performance.
• Communication: Demonstrates ability to convey and distribute information effectively and encompass strong speaking, presentation, written and listening skills. Ability to create an environment for open communication, and communicates clearly across departments regarding heat treat and compliance status
• Teamwork: Demonstrates ability to work well with others to accomplish common goals and build a positive climate and trusting relationships within teams.
• Leadership: Demonstrates ability to give direction, motivate, manage and reward performance, provide constructive feedback and foster individual professional development. Trains and guides operators to follow standard operating procedures and compliance guidelines
• Reliability: Demonstrates dependability, accountability and trust. Follows processes and meets commitments. Delivers consistent process performance and regulatory documentation
• Decision-making: Demonstrates ability to discover opportunities in challenges, seek profit and sustainable growth, make courageous while sound decisions and demonstrate a good business understanding. Applies analytical skills and CQI-9 knowledge to make data-driven decisions

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Thorough understanding of heat treatment principles, metallurgy, and thermal processing equipment
• Working knowledge of CQI-9 audits, checklists, gap closures, and AIAG documentation practices
• Familiarity with control system troubleshooting, PLCs, HMIs, and data logging
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and train heat treat personnel on compliance, safety, and process controls
• Skilled in conducting microstructure analysis and hardness testing to validate process results
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills for always maintaining audit-readiness
• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and Continuous Improvement
• Physically capable of working in a high-temperature, industrial environment
• Commitment to upholding process integrity and product conformance to specification

WORKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Work involves exposure to high-temperature equipment, hot surfaces, and industrial environments. May encounter fumes, noise, and moving machinery. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including heat-resistant gloves, face protection, and hearing protection, is required. Occasional exposure to quenchants, chemicals, and elevated platforms is expected. Safety training and environmental awareness are critical components of the role.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This role has direct supervisory responsibilities.

The demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Materials, Metallurgical, or Manufacturing Engineering required.
• Materials Science or Metallurgical Engineering preferred
• 7+ years of hands-on heat treat or metallurgical experience, preferably in automotive or aerospace manufacturing
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of CQI-9 Heat Treat System Assessment requirements
• Familiarity with AIAG standards and automotive core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA)
• Experience conducting and documenting SAT, TUS, and other pyrometry-related activities
• Experience operating batch and continuous furnaces, quench systems, and thermal processing equipment
• Demonstrates ability to directly supervise lab personnel including assigning work, evaluating performance, managing corrective actions, and developing team capabilities.
• Creates accountability, enforces standards, and drives measurable performance improvements.
• Proficient in hardness testing, blueprint reading, GD&T, and metallurgical inspection techniques
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and plant data collection systems
• Excellent troubleshooting, documentation, and analytical skills
• Commitment to safety, quality, and environmental standards
• Ability to lead and train team members on technical and compliance-related topics
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and prioritize effectively