Sr. Industrial Project Engineer

Senior Industrial Project Engineer

ARi, headquartered in East Peoria, IL, USA, is a rapidly expanding global engineering enterprise. The essence of our "i" symbolizes our distinctiveness from competitors an embodiment of innovation, intelligence, ingenuity, and insight. Boasting a diverse team of over 1,500 engineering experts hailing from various nations and cultures across the globe, we are excellently poised to provide intricate and personalized resolutions to our esteemed clients.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Industrial Project Engineer to lead manufacturing process optimization and operational improvement initiatives within a large-scale production facility. This role serves as a technical and operational leader responsible for improving end-to-end material flow, optimizing production throughput, balancing workforce utilization, and driving Lean manufacturing initiatives. While this is an individual contributor role with no direct reports, it requires strong project leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence teams to achieve operational excellence.

• Design, analyze, and optimize end-to-end material and manufacturing process flows across the production value stream.
• Lead value stream mapping activities and implement future-state improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Drive throughput improvements by reducing work-in-process (WIP), minimizing lead times, eliminating bottlenecks, and improving production flow.
• Monitor and improve key manufacturing performance metrics, including throughput, capacity utilization, on-time delivery, labor productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and optimize staffing models, labor planning, and workforce utilization based on production demand and capacity requirements.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives, including production KPI digitization, workflow automation, and integration of autonomous robotics and AI-driven manufacturing solutions.
• Utilize data analytics to identify trends, improve decision-making, and recommend process improvements.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives using methodologies such as A3, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, and waste elimination.
• Serve as the technical lead for assigned projects, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver operational improvements and meet business objectives.
• Partner with Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Finance, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to align production execution with operational priorities.
• Develop project plans, manage timelines, track deliverables, and communicate project status to stakeholders.
• Support capacity planning, resource allocation, and manufacturing strategy to meet production goals.
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions through structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.

• Capacity Planning & Manufacturing Resource Management
• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
• Value Stream Mapping
• Production Flow Optimization
• Throughput Improvement
• Work-In-Process (WIP) Reduction
• Labor Planning & Workforce Optimization
• Manufacturing Process Improvement
• Project Management
• Operational Excellence
• Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving
• Data Analytics & Performance Metrics
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Change Management

• Power Apps for workflow automation
• Data analytics and manufacturing KPI reporting
• Working knowledge of AI tools and digital manufacturing technologies
• CAD software
• MODAPTS certification or equivalent work measurement methodology
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Power BI, Teams)
• Experience with manufacturing automation and robotics integration

• Manufacturing digital transformation
• Workflow automation
• Robotics integration
• Process simulation and optimization
• Production systems analysis

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related Engineering discipline.
• 8–10 years of industrial or manufacturing engineering experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading manufacturing process improvement, capacity planning, and Lean initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional projects and driving operational improvements.
• Experience using Lean Manufacturing methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, A3, DMAIC, and continuous improvement tools.
• Strong analytical and project management skills.

• Experience with digital manufacturing initiatives and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Experience implementing workflow automation using Power Apps.
• Experience integrating robotics or autonomous manufacturing systems.
• MODAPTS certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.