Extrusion Process Technician

Extrusion Process Technician is an advanced technical position responsible for supporting, troubleshooting, optimizing, and maintaining plastics extrusion processes and equipment. This role requires strong mechanical aptitude, advanced troubleshooting skills, and a thorough understanding of extrusion machinery, process controls, material flow, temperature control, mechanical systems, and production quality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize plastics extrusion lines and associated downstream equipment.

· Perform advanced mechanical troubleshooting of extruders, gearboxes, motors, drives, heaters, cooling systems, pumps, dies, screen changers, material handling systems, cutters, pullers, haul-offs, and other extrusion equipment.

· Diagnose complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, temperature-control, and process-related problems.

· Troubleshoot extrusion process variables including temperature, pressure, melt flow, screw speed, line speed, cooling, material feed, and dimensional stability.

· Identify the root cause of recurring equipment and process failures and recommend permanent corrective actions.

· Make advanced process adjustments to maintain product specifications and optimize production rates, scrap, and equipment performance.

· Assist with die changes, tooling adjustments, screw changes, startup and shutdown procedures, and extrusion line changeovers.

· Inspect mechanical components for wear, damage, misalignment, vibration, overheating, and abnormal operating conditions.

· Use precision measuring tools and diagnostic equipment to identify mechanical and process problems.

· Assist with troubleshooting and calibration of temperature controllers, pressure sensors, thermocouples, drives, motors, and other process-control equipment.

· Analyze production and process data to identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.

· Conduct root-cause analysis and participate in corrective and preventive action activities.

· Provide technical support and guidance to machine operators and less-experienced technicians.

· Assist with developing and improving standard operating procedures, setup instructions, troubleshooting guides, and process documentation.

· Respond to equipment and process-related breakdowns and assist in restoring production safely and efficiently.

· Maintain accurate records of equipment problems, repairs, process changes, downtime, and corrective actions.

· Follow all applicable OSHA, company safety, lockout/tagout, environmental, and quality requirements.

· Perform other duties as assigned.