What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Development Engineer - Lean & Training position at Yaskawa Motoman?
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Learning & Development (Training, Curriculum, Capability Building)
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.
EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Industrial or Mechanical preferred) with a minimum 5 years’ experience in manufacturing support, process improvement, and designing and delivering learning & development content in a manufacturing environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven experience designing and facilitating training with strong platform and engagement skills. Proficiency with PowerPoint, Excel, Word & SharePoint.
Language Skills
Able to read and interpret technical manuals and related training documents. Able to assist in the development and presentation of training classes. Must have technical writing skills as applicable to the robotics and automated systems technologies. Must be able to communicate effectively with production floor personnel as well as upper management.
Other Skills And Abilities
Certification in Lean or Six Sigma preferred (Green Belt or higher a plus). Demonstrated success leading process improvement and cost reduction efforts. Strong understanding of manufacturing best practices, problem-solving abilities, excellent technical skills, and effective communication skills. Hands-on skills in robot mechanical, electrical and systems maintenance and troubleshooting a plus.
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Learning & Development (Training, Curriculum, Capability Building)
- Assess learning needs for operations teams in partnerships with leaders and subject matter experts.
- Define and execute the training and capability-building strategy for manufacturing, warehouse, and assembly teams.
- Build and maintain a portfolio of technical onboarding programs, including internally developed and externally sourced content.
- Design and develop high impact learning materials (facilitator guides, workbooks, job aids, SOPs, videos and presentation).
- Facilitate training sessions and coach internal trainers to strengthen organizational training capability.
- Establish evaluation methods and use data to measure and improve training effectiveness.
- Maintain and refresh learning content to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with operational needs.
- Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
- Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions using tools such as Pareto charts and cause and effect diagrams.
- Lead Lean events, including Kaizen workshops and Six Sigma improvement activities.
- Develop and standardize manufacturing documentation, including standard work and process instructions.
- Identify and implement best practices that support operational excellence across manufacturing areas.
- Design and implement process improvements across operations processes, focusing on flow, throughput, and waste reduction.
- Design fixtures, tools, and workstation layouts to optimize and support manufacturing requirements.
- Support manufacturing readiness for new product introductions and changes, ensuring processes and training are aligned.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure processes meet quality and performance standards.
- Prepare reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing process and performance data.
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.
EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Industrial or Mechanical preferred) with a minimum 5 years’ experience in manufacturing support, process improvement, and designing and delivering learning & development content in a manufacturing environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven experience designing and facilitating training with strong platform and engagement skills. Proficiency with PowerPoint, Excel, Word & SharePoint.
Language Skills
Able to read and interpret technical manuals and related training documents. Able to assist in the development and presentation of training classes. Must have technical writing skills as applicable to the robotics and automated systems technologies. Must be able to communicate effectively with production floor personnel as well as upper management.
Other Skills And Abilities
Certification in Lean or Six Sigma preferred (Green Belt or higher a plus). Demonstrated success leading process improvement and cost reduction efforts. Strong understanding of manufacturing best practices, problem-solving abilities, excellent technical skills, and effective communication skills. Hands-on skills in robot mechanical, electrical and systems maintenance and troubleshooting a plus.
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
