Continuous Improvement Engineer

Emerge is currently recruiting qualified candidates for a Continuous Improvement Engineer job in Hampton VA for our client, a growing manufacturer of quality products for the Aerospace and Industrial markets. The Continuous Improvement Engineer will support manufacturing by providing focused projects that will improve throughput, reduce inventory and reduce operating expenses. This position will drive continuous improvement through the reduction of labor costs and new/improved methods and equipment.

Candidates must have three (3) or more years of experience in Continuous Improvement and Engineering, be able to apply standard practices and techniques, adjust and correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and take corrective action. Our client offers a salary of $90,000 to $105,000 plus a 5% bonus and excellent benefits package that starts on day one. Relocation assistance is available.

• Develops manufacturing methods to produce parts that consistently meet or exceed customer requirements and ensures continuous improvement of processes by improving existing methods and developing new manufacturing approaches, leading to increased yields and reduced labor content.
• Conceives, evaluates and implements Kaizen and other formal problem-solving activities, cost reduction initiatives and part/process improvement activities.
• Collects data and provides general technical support to manufacturing needs while developing material, scrap and labor costs for cost modeling.
• Provides input based on customer specifications for BOM, routings and milestone plans, along with manufacturing support fixtures and dies.
• Supports manufacturing for prototypes, instructions and data analysis.
• Troubleshoots, validates and qualifies equipment while documenting work, preparing technical notes and reports, and establishing customer contacts as required.
• Conducts time studies and develops cell layouts and standard work.
• Collects data and analysis for part number scrap reduction and yield improvement initiatives.
• Completes daily process walk-throughs and analyzes shift labor efficiencies to identify opportunities for standard labor and process time reduction.
• Implements tooling changes and cost modeling recommendations.
• Drives continuous improvement by understanding ramifications of automation and other advances while advocating for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions.
• Takes a systems‑thinking approach by viewing the business and its operations holistically, understanding actions and reactions, and considering multiple pathways before making strategic decisions.
• Challenges the organization to work smarter, supporting others to ensure they have resources needed for successful work completion.
• Anticipates potential issues and prepares teams for upcoming changes.
  
  Works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize processes and provides accurate information to galvanize teams toward common goals.
• Leverages knowledge, relationships, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate stakeholder buy‑in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale.
• Focuses on quantifiable business outcomes, evaluates based on quantitative feedback and explains the reasoning behind actions.
• Handles unexpected situations without losing sight of important objectives, reacting where the greatest leverage points exist.
• Builds strong relationships across shifts and practices, creating a "win together" culture while serving as a liaison between shop floor and engineering to keep the pulse of operations and ensure people feel heard.

• BS Degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Technology is required.
• 3-5 years of Continuous Improvement Engineering or related Manufacturing Engineering experience with proven continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Higher.
• Experience in Kaizen, continuous improvement and formal problem solving.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to perform and analyze time studies to develop standardized work and set labor standards.
• Ability to create capacity analysis tools…