CI Engineer

DeWys Manufacturing; Marne (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits from Day 1

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Bonus opportunities

DeWys University training

Job summary

DeWys Metal Solutions is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer who thrives on going out to the manufacturing floor to understand work and find better, sustainable ways to do it. You will partner across Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to improve processes, optimize flow, and support new product launches.

You’ll help identify root causes, design practical solutions, and drive improvements that impact safety, quality, and efficiency on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 0–3 years of manufacturing, engineering, or related experience.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and prints.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities and translate them into improvements to safety, simplicity, and efficiency.
• Improve plant layouts to optimize product movement and material flow.
• Develop manufacturing aids, tooling, and other solutions for production teams.
• Analyze production data to improve efficiency, material utilization, productivity, and scheduling.
• Support lean manufacturing, Kaizen events, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Assist with new product launches and ensure smooth transitions to production.
• Identify potential manufacturing challenges and plan accordingly.
• Collaborate with Product Development to review designs for manufacturability.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Reading drawings & prints

Manufacturing knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Organizational skills

Detail oriented

Ownership of projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Sheet metal fabrication knowledge

Job description

Description

Continuous Improvement Engineer - level 1

Location: Marne, MI
Reports To: Engineering Manager

Improve Processes. Solve Problems. Make an Impact.

At DeWys Metal Solutions, we're looking for a Continuous Improvement Engineer who enjoys getting out on the manufacturing floor, understanding how work gets done, and finding better ways to do it.

As a Continuous Improvement Engineer, you'll work across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other teams to improve manufacturing processes, optimize equipment and material flow, support new product launches, and help drive our lean manufacturing efforts.

This isn't a role where you'll spend all day behind a desk. We're looking for someone who wants to dig into problems, work alongside our teams, challenge how things are done today, and turn ideas into practical, sustainable improvements.

If you enjoy solving problems, improving processes, and seeing the impact of your work firsthand, this could be a great fit.

What You'll Do

You'll help identify opportunities and turn them into improvements that make our manufacturing operation safer, simpler, and more efficient. Your responsibilities will include:

• Find better ways to work. Evaluate manufacturing processes, workforce and equipment utilization, material flow, facility layouts, and operational data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Improve flow and efficiency. Maintain and improve plant layouts to optimize product movement, material flow, equipment utilization, and overall efficiency.
• Support the production team. Evaluate equipment needs and design or develop manufacturing aids, tooling, and other solutions that help our teams work safely and effectively.
• Drive continuous improvement. Analyze production data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, material utilization, productivity, and scheduling.
• Put lean into action. Support lean manufacturing initiatives, facilitate Kaizen events, identify waste, and help teams implement sustainable improvements.
• Support new product launches. Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other teams to ensure new products transition successfully into production.
• Plan ahead. Review equipment, tooling, workflow, and process requirements for new products and proactively identify potential manufacturing challenges.
• Design for manufacturability. Work with Product Development Engineering to review designs and identify concerns that could affect quality, manufacturability, or production efficiency.
• Solve problems. Help identify root causes of defects, discrepancies, and process challenges and work with teams to implement effective solutions.
• Partner with vendors. Work with outside vendors to develop and source equipment, tooling, materials, and manufacturing solutions for new and existing products.
• Make improvements stick. Help develop standard work, document improved processes, measure results, and ensure changes are sustainable.

What Will Make You Successful

We're looking for someone who is naturally curious about how things work—and who isn't afraid to ask, "Is there a better way?"

You'll likely thrive in this role if you:

• Enjoy spending time on the manufacturing floor and working directly with the people doing the work.
• Have a continuous improvement and lean manufacturing mindset.
• Like digging into processes, identifying root causes, and solving problems.
• Can take data and observations and turn them into practical solutions.
• Understand manufacturing processes and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Are comfortable challenging existing processes while building strong relationships with the people involved.
• Can balance quality, safety, efficiency, cost, and production needs.
• Work well across departments and enjoy bringing different teams together to solve problems.
• Are organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Take ownership of projects and follow improvements through implementation.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant experience will also be considered.
• 0-3 years of manufacturing, engineering, or related experience.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and design-for-manufacturing principles.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and prints.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments.
• Comfortable working in both an office environment and on the manufacturing floor.
• Experience with SolidWorks is preferred.
• Familiarity with sheet metal fabrication and forming equipment/processes is a plus.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.

Why You'll Love Working at DeWys

DeWys Metal Solutions is a people-first, family-owned contract manufacturer where real people are doing big things. We serve customers across a diverse mix of industries and continue to invest in our people, technology, equipment, and future.

We believe the best improvements come from people who understand the work, ask good questions, and aren't afraid to try something better. We're looking for someone who wants to help us continue building a safer, smarter, and more efficient manufacturing operation.

Our team members enjoy:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning Day 1
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Bonus opportunities
• Paid training and development through DeWys University
• Leadership and career development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling
• Employee referral bonuses
• Team Member Assistance and on-site coaching
• Air-conditioned manufacturing environment
• Opportunities to give back to our local community
• A growing, family-owned company committed to helping team members achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals

Equal Opportunity Employer

DeWys Metal Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and team members without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.