About this opportunity
Real Flame Company lists this Senior Process Engineer opportunity in northern, Kentucky. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Description
About Us
Real Flame® is a family-owned company based in Racine, Wisconsin with a team of approximately 40 employees. We specialize in the design, production, and sale of indoor electric fireplaces, outdoor fire features, and outdoor furniture. For more than 25 years, our mission has remained simple: to create beautifully designed, high-quality, and safe fire features that allow consumers to experience the charm and comfort of a fireplace without the hassle.
As a pioneer in the early gel fuel industry, Real Flame later introduced the VividFlame electric firebox, helping shape today’s electric fireplace category. Since then, we have expanded our product offerings to include outdoor gas fire tables and bowls, wood-burning fire pits, and outdoor furniture.
Despite our growth, we have remained a close-knit, agile team that values collaboration, accountability, and innovation. We continue to design our products in-house and bring new styles to market each year. Today, Real Flame products can be found in hundreds of thousands of homes, and we’re proud of the role we play in helping customers create meaningful moments with family and friends.
What You'll Be Doing
The Senior Process Engineer is responsible for ensuring that Real Flame's engineering processes, product development procedures, and product launch requirements are consistently followed across all new product programs. The Senior Process Engineer acts as the "process authority" for the Engineering team, ensuring projects advance through established engineering milestones and checks, required reviews are completed, documentation is accurate, and cross-functional deliverables are met before progressing to the next stage of development.
Working closely with Product Design Engineers, Product Development, Quality, Purchasing, Sourcing, Manufacturing Partners, and Sales, this role provides independent oversight of new product development activities while driving continuous improvement of engineering standards, launch processes, and operational workflows. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering judgment, project management capabilities, manufacturing knowledge, and process discipline to ensure every product is developed, reviewed, documented, and launched in accordance with Real Flame standards.
Essential Functions
Product Development Process Ownership
Ensure all engineering milestones, redlines, reviews, and launch requirements are completed prior to project advancement
Monitor project compliance with established development timelines and engineering workflows
Track project status and identify gaps, risks, or missing deliverables that could impact launch readiness
Drive accountability for completion of required engineering documentation throughout the development cycle
Own the engineering change order (ECO) and change-control process, including documentation and approval
Report on process adoption and effectiveness to the Director, Design & Engineering
Develop, maintain, and improve engineering standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Provide training and guidance regarding engineering procedures and best practices
Engineering Review & Product Validation
Lead formal engineering process reviews throughout concept, prototype, sample, and launch phases
Ensure print packets, BOMs, specifications, and supporting documentation meet GD&T and company standards
Verify that engineering deliverables align with approved project requirements and customer expectations
Coordinate engineering signoffs and approvals required for project progression
Partner with Design Engineering teams to identify and resolve technical risks prior to production
Continuous Improvement
Lead initiatives focused on improving speed, quality, and effectiveness of the product development process
Analyze project performance metrics and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements
Develop KPI dashboards related to engineering process compliance, launch readiness, and project execution
Implement Lean Manufacturing, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), DFEMA, and Design for Assembly (DFA) best practices where appropriate
Evaluate and improve workflow systems, documentation standards, and communication processes
Systems & Technical Competencies
Engineering Systems
SolidWorks
SolidWorks PDM
NetSuite
Global Shop ERP
Airtable
Microsoft Office Suite
Adobe Creative Suite
Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Process Engineering, or related technical discipline
3-6 years of experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or new product introduction roles
Experience working within stage-gate or structured product development systems
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes associated with furniture, outdoor living products, fabricated metal products, or consumer products
Experience managing cross-functional projects involving suppliers, quality, engineering, and sourcing teams
Strong organizational and project management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
Ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement sustainable improvements
Ability to work independently while managing multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in furniture manufacturing, outdoor furniture, fireplaces, fire tables, or consumer durable goods
Certification or formal training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement methodologies
Experience working with international suppliers and manufacturing partners
Familiarity with certification programs including UL, CSA, CE, or related standards
Experience implementing ERP or PLM/PDM workflow improvements
Why You'll Love this Opportunity
Play a key role in shaping how new products move from concept to launch
Influence engineering standards, processes, and best practices across the organization
Work directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teams in a highly visible role
Make a measurable impact in a growing company where decisions happen quickly and ideas are put into action
Be part of a team that designs innovative consumer products found in homes across North America
Career Growth Opportunity
This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys building structure, improving processes, and driving accountability across product development. You'll have the opportunity to influence how Real Flame develops products for years to come while expanding your leadership, project management, and operational excellence expertise.
Who Succeeds at Real Flame
Enjoy creating structure and accountability within complex projects
Like balancing technical engineering work with process improvement initiatives
Are comfortable working cross-functionally with global suppliers and manufacturing partners
Take ownership, communicate effectively, and follow through on commitments
Are energized by solving problems and continuously improving how work gets done
Benefits & Perks
Competitive base salary plus profit sharing and individual performance incentive bonus
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
Company-funded deductible reimbursement up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (family)
401(k) with company match up to 4%
Up to 6 weeks of paid parental leave
Generous paid time off and company holidays
Friday work-from-home flexibility following onboarding
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Company-paid life and disability insurance
Employee product discount
Regular team-building events and company-sponsored outings
Direct access to leadership and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on company growth and success
Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where your ideas are valued and implemented
Work Authorization
Real Flame does not sponsor employment visas now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
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Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.