Kaizen / Production / Process Engineer

Kaizen / Production / Process Engineer

Team Engineering & Production Location Gunsan, Korea Reporting to Engineering Manager Type Permanent

Our technology unlocks the potential of silicon to deliver increased capacity without compromising lithium-ion battery cycle life, providing lighter batteries with more power and longer lifetime between charges.
From our facilities in the UK, Korea and Japan, we're working with world-class OEMs and making a major contribution in shaping the future of lithium-ion batteries.

Role Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Kaizen / Production Engineer to take ownership of the Powder Packaging and Cleanroom operations.
In this role, you will optimise the final stage of production—ensure high-value battery powders are packaged under strict environmental controls. You will bridge the gap between technical process constraints and operational efficiency, focusing heavily on contamination control, humidity management, and automated packaging systems. Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and improve the automated powder filling, sealing, and labelling lines.
• You will be the champion for continuous improvement projects in the area including managing project delivery, liaising with suppliers, developing CAPEX budgets and presenting savings financial justifications.
• Maintain strict cleanliness conditions, minimising contamination from hoppers entering the building and maximising cleaning regimes through all operations.  You will ensure all relevant metrics are monitored and recorded (Eg Particulate count)
• Oversee Foreign Metal Detection processes to ensure zero metallic contamination in the final product.

Additional responsibilities which can be site wide across Silicon Anode Processing, Support Facilities and Powder Packaging:

• Support customer PPAP with hands on investigations, DoE, sample builds and customer reporting.
• Monitor and improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) focusing on reducing cycle times and material waste.
• Conduct root cause analysis for non-conformities or breakdowns using 8D tools

• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions.  Update PFMEA’s regularly and ensure total integration of Control Plan to PFMEA to SOP.  Ensure operators are trained and training records are maintained.
• Lead acceptance testing (FAT and SAT) for new equipment

Key Requirements Education & Experience:

• Degree: BEng or MEng Mechanical Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering (Chemical Engineers with relevant experience will be considered)
• Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years in a process engineering or production engineering role within a manufacturing environment.  You will have demonstrated experience within an ISO9001 or IATF16949 environment and you must be familiar with APQP and customer PPAP.  It is likely therefore that you will have automotive industry experience.
• Industry Background: Experience with fine powder handling for example Pharmaceuticals, Fine Chemicals, or Battery Materials is desirable.  Experience of cleanroom manufacturing is desirable.  You will very likely have automotive tier one experience with assembly equipment or product handling equipment.

Other Desirable Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Powder Handling (flowability, segregation, bulk density).
• Experience working in Cleanroom environments.
• Familiarity with automated packaging systems (fill-seal, weighing scales, palletisers).
• Competency in Lean Six Sigma tools (5S, Kaizen, DMAIC).

Soft Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability to work in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment.
• Strong communication skills to articulate complex technical data to non-technical staff.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.