Continuous Improvement Engineer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting directly to the Continuous Improvement Manager, the Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for supporting the identification and implementation of cost savings opportunities throughout the business. This individual will analyze production processes and product designs, identify improvement areas, and implement strategies to reduce product costs. This position will work closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Product Engineering, as well as other teams throughout the organization. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS [Essential functions are defined by the ADA as the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The ADA considers a job function essential if: (1) the position exists to perform that function, (2) there are only a limited number of employees available to perform the function or among whom the performance of the function can be distributed and/or (3) the function is so highly specialized that the person in the position is hired for the ability to perform the particular function. Essential functions do not include the marginal or incidental functions of the position.]

List the functions required of a person to perform this position.

Most Critical Responsibility

• Analyze manufacturing processes and product designs to identify cost savings opportunities.
• Implement improvements that lead to increased efficiency, cost reduction, and increased productivity.
• Improve the efficiency of overall manufacturing operations using Lean tools like DFMEA, PFMEA, and value stream mapping.
• Implement design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly improvements across all product lines.
• Quantify savings and performance gains from engineering changes.
• Support VA/VE initiatives with suppliers and internal teams.

2^nd most critical 

• Analyze manufacturing process flows and floor layout for improvements.
• Identify and develop the improvement of processes, products, equipment, and methods.
• Improve cycle times, throughput, and reduce setup time. 
• Reorganize workflow to improve processes.
• Analyze work standards to improve labor utilization.

Not critical, but part of their daily expectations 

• Assist with training stakeholders on improved designs and processes. 

EDUCATION/

EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor's degree in engineering and 2-3 years of engineering experience or an associate’s degree in mechanical design technology with 5-7 years of engineering experience

CERTIFICATIONS/

LICENSES

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE/

SKILLS/

ABILITIES

Required: 

• Experience with and trained in Lean methodologies, including but not limited to; 5S, VSM, Visual Management / Visual Factory, Standard Work, and TPM.
• Experience with common manufacturing processes including sheet metal fabrication, stamping, aluminum and steel welding, machining, etc.
• Design experience with sheet metal fabrications and electro-mechanical systems.
• Solid modeling experience required. 
• ERP system familiarity including structured bill of material data entry and basic navigation.
• MS Outlook, Word, and Excel proficiency required. PowerPoint and Project proficiency beneficial.
• Good oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Good project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects under time restrictions.

Preferred: 

• Green Belt level certification in Lean or Lean Six Sigma from a reputable training provider.

• Working knowledge of structural analysis techniques. Finite element analysis experience beneficial.

• Creo/ProE and sheet metal experience preferred.