Continuous Improvement Engineer

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for leading initiatives that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost throughout General Stamping & Metalworks. This role works across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Sales to identify opportunities, eliminate waste, standardize processes, and implement sustainable improvements that support company growth and operational excellence.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer serves as a change agent within the organization, driving process improvements from concept through implementation and measuring results to ensure long-term success. This position will lead projects involving manufacturing processes, engineering changes, workflow optimization, automation, quality improvements, new product launches, and cost reduction initiatives.

This role requires a strong understanding of metal fabrication, stamping, welding, machining, and assembly processes, along with excellent project management, analytical, and communication skills.

Organizational Relationships and Authority

The Continuous Improvement Engineer reports directly to the Engineering Manager and works collaboratively with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Estimating, Sales, and Plant Leadership.

This position has no direct reports but is expected to lead cross-functional project teams and influence changes throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities – Continuous Improvement Engineer

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost reduction across manufacturing operations.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement solutions that eliminate waste, reduce downtime, improve throughput, and increase operational efficiency.
• Facilitate Lean Manufacturing activities, including Kaizen events, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and standard work development.
• Manage engineering and process change initiatives, ensuring accurate implementation of changes to routings, bills of material, manufacturing methods, tooling, and documentation.
• Analyze manufacturing data and performance metrics to identify trends, solve problems, and drive data-based decision making.
• Lead cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, including project planning, execution, tracking, and reporting of results.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Sales teams to improve manufacturability and operational performance.
• Support new product launches by developing and validating efficient manufacturing processes and ensuring production readiness.
• Evaluate and implement improvements in equipment, tooling, automation, technology, and workflow design.
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts related to quality concerns, customer complaints, scrap reduction, and process variability.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, and standardized operating procedures.
• Promote a culture of accountability, problem solving, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Measure and communicate project results, including operational improvements and financial impact.
• Support ISO 9001 quality system requirements and ongoing operational excellence initiatives.

To perform this role successfully, the individual must possess strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills. The ability to influence others, manage change, and drive measurable improvements is critical for success.

The individual should maintain competency with:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• ERP Systems (PLEX preferred)
• CAD Software (SolidWorks preferred)
• Data analysis and reporting tools
• Manufacturing process documentation systems

Technical Knowledge

• Manufacturing process development and optimization
• Engineering change management
• Blueprint reading and GD&T
• Lean Manufacturing principles
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process Mapping
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Value Stream Mapping
• Continuous Improvement methodologies

Education

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent)
• Continuous Improvement certification

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, project management, continuous improvement, operations, or related technical roles.

Preferred

• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Experience implementing engineering changes and process improvements.
• Experience with ISO 9001 and customer quality systems.