What are the responsibilities and job description for the Continuous Improvement Engineer position at Abbott?
Job Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer
Location: 5050 Nathan Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55442
Duration: 12 Months
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Position Overview
We are seeking a proactive and motivated Continuous Improvement Engineer to support the successful implementation and sustainability of business excellence initiatives at our site. This role plays a key part in driving operational improvements, supporting cultural transformation, and ensuring operational standards are maintained across the production environment.
The ideal candidate will work closely with operations teams to analyze performance, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable process enhancements on the production floor.
Key Responsibilities
Working together, Abbott and Talent Solutions partner to deliver top talent for contingent roles at Abbott, building better and healthier lives. Abbott believes all employees are essential to creating life-changing breakthroughs, performing key duties to create life-changing breakthroughs.
Location: 5050 Nathan Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55442
Duration: 12 Months
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Position Overview
We are seeking a proactive and motivated Continuous Improvement Engineer to support the successful implementation and sustainability of business excellence initiatives at our site. This role plays a key part in driving operational improvements, supporting cultural transformation, and ensuring operational standards are maintained across the production environment.
The ideal candidate will work closely with operations teams to analyze performance, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable process enhancements on the production floor.
Key Responsibilities
- Production Floor Engagement (70% )
- Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor, serving as the first-line engineering resource for operators and supervisors.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of production processes across all stations, including work content, takt time, and staffing impacts on throughput.
- Support operators in resolving process issues, improving performance visibility, and maintaining adherence to operational standards.
- Line Balancing & Goal Alignment
- Analyze and interpret line balancing data to understand expected performance at each station and across the entire production line.
- Translate line balance expectations into clear and actionable performance goals for operators and supervisors.
- Adjust monthly goals based on factors such as staffing levels, product mix, ramp conditions, and operator learning curves.
- Performance Analysis & Feedback
- Measure actual line performance and compare results against expected performance from line balance data.
- Identify stations performing above expectations and validate root causes to refine performance targets.
- Highlight stations performing below expectations and escalate issues while coordinating cross-functional support where necessary.
- Communicate performance insights clearly and effectively to operations teams.
- Cycle Time & Station Optimization
- Conduct time studies and observe operator methods to evaluate process variation and identify improvement opportunities.
- Standardize best practices to drive cycle-time consistency across operators and workstations.
- Develop and support implementation of improvement roadmaps for targeted stations.
- Partner with supervisors, technicians, and engineers to implement process improvements, layout adjustments, and waste reduction initiatives.
- Continuous Improvement & Shop-Floor Support
- Facilitate rapid feedback loops for issues affecting throughput, quality, or safety.
- Assist in the development and updates of standard work documentation, operator instructions, and training materials.
- Support improvement events such as Kaizens, rapid experiments, pilot runs, and data collection initiatives.
- Ensure that implemented improvements are documented, measured, and sustained.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline).
- 0–3 years of experience in manufacturing, production engineering, or continuous improvement environments.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or similar platforms.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work closely with front-line production teams.
- Ability to perform time studies, takt time analysis, and basic capacity modeling (preferred but trainable).
- Strong organizational, execution, and follow-up skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Interest in hands-on engagement with daily operations, including shadowing, coaching, and supporting product builders on the production floor.
- Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
- Dental Plan
- Vision Plan
- Health Savings Account (for High-Deductible Health Plans)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Limited Purpose, Dependent Care, Commuter Parking and Commuter Transit)
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Short Term Disability (coverage varies by state)
- Long Term Disability
- Critical Illness, Hospital coverage, Accident Insurance
- MetLife Legal, MetLife ID Fraud, and MetLife Pet Insurance
- 401(k)
Working together, Abbott and Talent Solutions partner to deliver top talent for contingent roles at Abbott, building better and healthier lives. Abbott believes all employees are essential to creating life-changing breakthroughs, performing key duties to create life-changing breakthroughs.