Continuous Improvement Engineer

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Location: Champaign, IL

Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt (Salaried)

Salary: $75,000 - $120,000 annually (Based on Experience)

Bonus Opportunity: Monthly performance bonus of up to 9% of base monthly salary

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking a driven Continuous Improvement Engineer to lead operational excellence initiatives across its manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost through the application of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other Continuous Improvement methodologies.

The ideal candidate is passionate about solving problems, leading cross-functional projects, and building a culture of continuous improvement. You'll work closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, and production teams to eliminate waste, optimize processes, and deliver measurable business results.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match (up to 5%)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Performance-Based Monthly Bonus Opportunities
• Paid Time Off
• Career Growth and Professional Development Opportunities

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives throughout the facility
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve quality, and increase operational efficiency
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping workshops, and Root Cause Analysis sessions
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and other CI methodologies to improve manufacturing performance
• Manage improvement projects from concept through implementation and long-term sustainability
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends, measure performance, and drive decision-making
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve safety, productivity, quality, and equipment performance
• Develop and implement standardized processes and best practices
• Train, coach, and mentor employees on Continuous Improvement tools and methodologies
• Promote a culture of problem-solving, accountability, and operational excellence
• Present project updates, results, and recommendations to leadership
• Support strategic initiatives that improve overall plant performance

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field
• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience
• Proven experience leading Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication abilities
• Ability to influence teams and drive change across multiple departments
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

• Lean Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred)
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events
• Experience with Value Stream Mapping
• Knowledge of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Experience leading Root Cause Analysis and corrective action initiatives
• Experience using data to support operational decision-making

Experience with:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Data analysis tools
• Project management software
• Manufacturing performance metrics and KPI reporting

Working knowledge of:

• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Kaizen
• 5S
• Value Stream Mapping
• Root Cause Analysis
• TPM (Total Productive Maintenance)
• Statistical analysis and process improvement techniques

• Frequent computer use
• Regular standing and walking throughout the manufacturing facility
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work in both office and production environments

This position combines office and manufacturing floor responsibilities. Candidates should be comfortable working in an active production environment while collaborating with employees across all levels of the organization. Occasional exposure to manufacturing equipment, airborne particles, and varying noise levels is expected.

• Natural problem solver with a continuous improvement mindset
• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Ability to influence change without direct authority
• Excellent communication and facilitation abilities
• Results-driven with a passion for operational excellence
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented
• Collaborative team player
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities