Process Engineer (PRIME Division)

JOIN US AND "CREATE YOUR VISION"

PRIME LINE - POWERED BY S&S ACTIVEWEAR 

Prime Line, the hard goods division of S&S, brings promotional product distributors top products in the best-selling categories. Backed by high achieving commercial groups, Prime Line is here to service every need a customer may have.

About Us

S&S Activewear is a leading North American, tech-enabled specialty distributor of imprintable apparel, including t-shirts, fleece, athletic wear, headwear, workwear, scrubs and accessories. We pride ourselves on being the “critical link” that enables our 100+ brand partners such as Adidas, Columbia and Gildan to reach our hyper-fragmented base of customers, comprised of apparel decorators, eRetailers and promotional products distributors that embellish apparel items for diverse end consumer use cases (e.g., everyday wear, concerts, fitness attire, life events, team sports, etc.). At S&S, we differentiate in the market through a customer service focus, strategic product portfolio, world-class distribution infrastructure, a collaborative growth culture and a relentless focus on technology and innovation. 

Our success has compounded since the Company’s humble beginnings in 1988 as a regional t-shirt distributor to a leading, multi-billion-dollar value-added distribution platform that drives market penetration for our suppliers while enabling the growth, operations and fulfillment for a diverse range of customers across channels and business sizes.  We strive to be the apparel distributor of choice while inspiring and fostering growth for customers, employees and suppliers through our core values of service, deep relationships, innovation, continuous improvement and accountability.

About The Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and innovative Process Engineer to join our growing team in Gaffney, SC. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing and optimizing CO₂ laser ablation processes on drinkware, while also supporting and improving digital printing (including 4CP and Direct to Film), pad printing, silk screen, and embroidery operations for a wide range of promotional products including bags, drinkware, stress relievers, towels, and blankets. 

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical knowledge, hands-on experience with laser and digital/DTF printing systems, and a continuous improvement mindset to support high-quality and efficient decoration processes across multiple product lines. 

Schedule

Monday-Friday, Full-Time, Exempt

Hybrid - Gaffney, SC 

What You Will Do

• Lead and optimize the CO₂ laser ablation process for drinkware decoration, ensuring consistent quality and productivity.
• Support and improve digital printing processes on drinkware and other substrates, including Direct to Film (DTF) printing.
• Troubleshoot issues related to print quality, adhesion, color matching, and equipment performance in digital and DTF processes.
• Evaluate and integrate new digital printing technologies to expand capabilities and improve efficiency.
• Support and improve pad printing, silk screen printing, and embroidery operations for various promotional items.
• Develop and implement process documentation, work instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Train operators on digital, and conventional printing processes and best practices.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure manufacturability and adherence to specifications.
• Maintain and improve safety standards and ensure compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze process data to develop KPIs to drive continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

What We'Re Looking For

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience with CO₂ laser systems in a production or R&D environment.
• Strong understanding of laser-material interactions, especially with drinkware substrates.
• Experience with decorative processes such as pad printing, silk screening, and embroidery.

Preferred:

• Experience in the promotional products or decorated apparel industry.
• Experience in production floor layout and equipment integration.
• Working knowledge of CAD/CAM and RIP software related to digital printing.
• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification or experience.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. 

Working Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

S&S Activewear welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to creating a diverse culture and supporting human growth. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We conduct business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer, and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons. S&S participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.  This job offer is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.