Continuous Improvement Engineer

OPEX Selection is recruiting a Continuous Improvement Engineer for a large, established manufacturing site in Orange County, part of an international group. The business is growing, creating an opportunity to help shape how the operation develops, take ownership of meaningful improvements and build your experience as the site scales.

With strong senior sponsorship for Lean and direct coaching from the General Manager, you’ll take practical improvements from analysis through to implementation across production and business processes. The emphasis is on developing your skills, delivering measurable results and building experience that supports your longer-term career ambitions.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will help improve performance across manufacturing, planning, procurement, supply chain and office functions.

Your work will include:

• Investigating delivery delays, material shortages and process handovers to identify and address root causes.
• Helping teams use daily meetings, visual boards and meaningful KPIs to solve problems and follow through on actions.
• Delivering practical improvements through process mapping, 5S, standard work and structured problem-solving.
• Involving colleagues in change and building a culture where improvement becomes part of everyday work.

You will have hands-on responsibility, supported by a leader who values curiosity, constructive challenge and genuine care for people.

We’re interested in engineers with a relevant degree and practical experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean, Process Engineering or a related manufacturing engineering role. You may have around two to five years’ experience, although the quality of your contribution matters more than an exact number.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong analytical thinking and a questioning mindset.
• Practical involvement in implementing improvements.
• Familiarity with Lean principles and root cause analysis.
• The ability to listen, build relationships and work across departments.
• Drive, sound judgement and the discipline to see actions through.

You do not need previous management experience, a Black Belt or experience in the client’s particular industry. You should be ready to build on your engineering foundations and develop your ability to influence others.

Alongside ownership of operational improvement, you will gain exposure to commercial decisions, profitability and wider business operations. The General Manager is committed to coaching the successful candidate, with the potential to develop towards broader operational leadership as your capability and performance grow.

Based on‑site in Orange County, Southern California, applications are welcome from candidates within commuting distance and those willing to relocate. Applicants must already be authorised to work in the USA without employer sponsorship.

This recruitment process is expected to move quickly.

OPEX Selection specialises in recruiting ‘Improvement Champions’:
Lean, Six Sigma and Operational Excellence professionals and leaders for permanent and interim appointments worldwide.