Process Engineer
Walter Tools — Greer, South Carolina
Solid Carbide Drills Manufacturing & Reconditioning
About Walter Tools
Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Tübingen, Germany, Walter has over 100 years of expertise in precision cutting tools for milling, turning, grooving, drilling, and threading. With 3,800 employees and customers in more than 80 countries, Walter combines global reach with deep Engineering Kompetenz. Our Greer, SC production unit manufactures Walter Titex solid carbide drills and operates a key reconditioning center for drills and endmills across North America.
About the Role
Walter Tools is seeking a driven and technically skilled Process Engineer for our Greer, South Carolina production facility. This role is embedded in our production environment, working hands-on alongside CNC operators to develop, improve, and sustain all manufacturing processes for solid carbide drill production and reconditioning services for drills and endmills. The Process Engineer reports to the Engineering Manager and plays a key role in process stability, quality improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.
Key Responsibilities
Process Development & Manufacturing Engineering
- Develop, test, and implement CNC grinding programs, tooling configurations, and process parameters for solid carbide drill manufacturing and reconditioning on ANCA, Rollomatic, and Reinecker platforms
- Create and maintain manufacturing process drawings and routings that clearly define process steps, feeds, speeds, wheel specifications, and quality checkpoints for all machines in the facility
- Build and maintain manufacturing standards and routings for all products manufactured and reconditioned at the Greer facility
- Use AutoCAD and ANCA/Rollomatic/Reinecker software to develop tool geometry drawings and manufacturing process documentation
- Own and develop grinding wheel design specifications, dressing programs, and wheel qualification procedures to ensure consistent tool geometry and surface finish across all production and reconditioning operations
- Develop and maintain process standards for edge preparation operations, including honing and chamfering, to ensure cutting edge consistency and tool performance on both new drills and reconditioned tools
- Define and improve coating preparation and post-coat inspection processes in coordination with coating suppliers; establish acceptance criteria for PVD/CVD-coated tools to ensure coating adhesion, thickness, and coverage meet specification
- Develop and standardize packaging and labelling processes for finished new drills and reconditioned tools, ensuring compliance with Walter branding standards, customer requirements, and shipping regulations
- Develop and implement operating methods and procedures to eliminate process problems and improve product quality and consistency
- Establish stable, repeatable grinding and reconditioning processes; define and document control plans and process capability expectations
- Support the introduction of new drill geometries and reconditioning programs, including process validation and operator qualification
- Manage the manufacturing change process; recommend and implement changes to process instructions, drawings, or routings based on quality feedback or improvement opportunities
Continuous Improvement & Collaboration
- Actively engage in continuous improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce scrap, cycle time, and process variability
- Work closely with CNC operators, and the quality team to identify root causes of defects and implement corrective actions
- Collaborate with other Walter and Sandvik plants to identify and implement best practices applicable to the Greer production unit
- Lead projects end-to-end: define scope, create and maintain timelines, and follow up on progress and results
- Support local and global engineering and production projects as required
Training & Documentation
- Train operators on new equipment, grinding programs, processes, and quality standards
- Create work instructions, process documentation, and training materials to support consistent execution on the production floor
- Conduct training and presentations to employees at all levels on process changes, new products, and improvement initiatives
- Serve as the liaison between engineering and production, ensuring clear communication of process requirements and change implementations
EHS & Compliance
- Follow all safety, health, and environmental procedures in accordance with company policy, OSHA regulations, and ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 standards
- Support production together with maintenance to ensure machines are functioning at the desired performance and safety level
Your Profile
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent knowledge gained through 5+ years of hands-on experience in a CNC machining environment
- 5+ years of experience as a process engineer or CNC operator in a precision machining or cutting tool manufacturing environment
- Hands-on experience programming and operating CNC grinding machines; experience with ANCA (iGrind/ToolRoom), Rollomatic, or Reinecker platforms is a strong advantage
- Knowledge of solid carbide cutting tool geometry (drills, endmills) and grinding wheel selection, dressing, and process optimization
- Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar CAD/design software for manufacturing process drawings
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; ability to work independently and take full ownership of projects
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with SAP or similar ERP systems is a plus
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English; ability to train, present, and collaborate across all levels of the organization
Required Competencies
- Hands-on, self-driven approach with high comfort working directly on the production floor
- Strong process improvement mindset with exposure to Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications
- Project management skills: ability to lead and track multiple projects simultaneously
- Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills across engineering, quality, and operations teams
- Basic Six Sigma knowledge or certification is a plus
Benefits We Offer
- Excellent 401(k) plan: company match of ½ up to 3% PLUS 5% company contribution every paycheck
- Company-paid life insurance at 2x annual salary and company-paid Short-Term Disability
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plus many elective benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Company discounts on new vehicles, cell phones & plans, hotels, rental cars, and more
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid parental leave, and 11 paid holidays
Our Culture
At Walter we believe that diversity of experience, perspective, and background leads to a better environment for our employees, our business, and our customers. We are equally proud of our precision manufacturing roots and our commitment to continuous improvement and engineering excellence. We look forward to meeting you!
