Learn Spanish (Latin America): Es imposible que el proceso funcione bien. - It is impossible for the process to work well.

Because of the phrase Es imposible que (It is impossible that). When we use es + adjective + que to state an opinion, valuation, or doubt, it triggers the subjunctive mood in the second part of the sentence. Since funcionar (to work) is an '-ar' verb, its present subjunctive form for 'it' (the process) changes the ending to '-e', giving us funcione.

In English the translation says 'for the process to work', so why don't we use the infinitive funcionar in Spanish?

English often uses 'for [something] to do [something]' after impersonal expressions. Spanish doesn't build sentences this way. Instead, Spanish requires a new clause using que (that) followed by a conjugated verb. Literally, the Spanish sentence says 'It is impossible that the process works well.'

Can funcionar just mean 'to work'? Doesn't it mean 'to function'?

Yes, both are correct! While funcionar does mean 'to function', it is the standard way to say that a machine, system, or process 'works' (operates correctly). You wouldn't use trabajar (to work) here, because trabajar is strictly for a person doing a job or labor.

Why do we use bien instead of bueno here?