Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer III

AAF International (American Air Filter); Greenville, Washington (NC, NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AAF International is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer in the Greenville, NC area to stabilize and improve manufacturing processes using Lean practices, data-driven analysis, and automation support. You will lead cross-functional Lean initiatives, coach teams, and ensure sustainable gains through standard work and problem-solving methodologies.

The role emphasizes process control, visual management, and collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to drive

Qualifications

• 4–6 years in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience owning manufacturing processes and supporting process control and sustainment.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and tools.
• Understanding of industrial automation and its application to manufacturing improvement.
• Experience developing or supporting ROI and cost justification for improvement or capital projects.
• Effective communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally.
• Ability to support cultural change while balancing data-driven analysis and practical problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a process subject matter expert for assigned manufacturing processes, understanding process flow, capability, constraints, and risks.
• Lead efforts to bring processes into statistical control and sustain gains using standard work, control plans, SPC, and visual management.
• Recommend and implement improvements to production processes, methods, and controls.
• Apply analytical and creative thinking to solve manufacturing problems and improve performance.
• Lead, support, and facilitate the ongoing shift toward a Lean culture across the organization.
• Act as a coach and change agent by helping teams understand why Lean practices are used, not just how.
• Encourage employee engagement and ownership of continuous improvement at all levels.
• Partner with leaders and teams to reinforce Lean behaviors, standard work, and continuous improvement routines.
• Help embed Lean thinking into daily management systems and decision-making.
• Utilize at least one structured problem-solving methodology, such as DMAIC, PDCA, Shainin Red X.
• Support team-based problem-solving activities and knowledge sharing.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and tools, including 5S and visual workplace, Kaizen, Kanban, and takt time analysis.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Process improvement

Data-driven analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Automation understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SPC

5S

Kanban

Job description

AAF International offers the most comprehensive clean air solutions available across the globe. Selling under the American Air Filter\u00ae and the AAF International\u00ae brand names, AAF International has been an industry pioneer since 1921 with manufacturing operations in 22 countries and over 6000 employees globally. Our products are the industry benchmarks for quality and performance. Our applications include commercial, industrial and residential solutions from the filters used in your home to the most critical cleanroom and power generation applications.

We are a member of the Daikin Group, the world's largest air conditioning provider with $30 billion in revenue and over 98,000 employees worldwide. Founded in 1924, Daikin has grown into a diversified industrial manufacturing company offering solutions in clean, air, air conditioning, refrigeration, chemicals, oil hydraulics, defense systems and electronics.

Our culture of continuous improvement, safety and world class operations is driven by our people-centered management philosophy. This philosophy is built around mutual selection: that while AAF seeks top talent people to join and deliver on our team, we also want each team member to receive job satisfaction, growth & development, and continued happiness in being a long-term member of the AAF family. This is fueled by our belief in treating our people, our supply partners, our customers and our environment with the trust and respect we each require, and our passion to give back to our community for our success.

Read more about our philosophy at: http://www.daikin.com/about/corporate/philosophy/index.html

AAF International is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, uniform servicemember status, age, disability or any other legally recognized protected personal characteristics.

Position Objective:

The Continuous Improvement Engineer serves as a process subject matter expert (SME) for manufacturing operations and plays a key role in leading and supporting the shift toward a sustainable Lean culture. This position focuses on stabilizing processes, bringing them under control, and sustaining improvements over time through lean manufacturing, structured problem solving, data-driven analysis, collaboration, and the effective use of automation supported by ROI justification. Performs work under minimal supervision. Handles complex issues and problems and refers only the most complex issues to higher-level staff. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of subject matter. Provides leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group.

Key Accountabilities:

Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as a process subject matter expert for assigned manufacturing processes, understanding process flow, capability,constraints, and risks.
• Lead efforts to bring processes into statistical control and sustain gains using standard work, control plans, SPC, and visual management.
• Recommend and implement improvements to production processes, methods, and controls.
• Apply analytical and creative thinking to solvemanufacturing problems and improve performance.
• Lead, support, and facilitate the ongoing shift toward a Lean culture across the organization.
• Act as a coach and change agent by helping teams understand why Lean practices are used, not just how.
• Encourage employee engagement and ownership of continuous improvement at all levels.
• Partner with leaders and teams to reinforce Lean behaviors, standard work, and continuous improvement routines.
• Help embed Lean thinking into daily management systems and decision-making.
• Utilize at least one structuredproblem-solving methodology, such as:
• DMAIC
• PDCA
• Shainin Red X
• Define problems clearly, identify and validate root causes, implement effective solutions, and establishcontrols to sustain results.
• Support team-based problem-solvingactivities and knowledge sharing.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and tools, including:
• 5S and visual workplace
• Kaizen activities and events
• Kanban and pull systems
• Takt time analysis, linebalancing, and line pacing
• Facilitate and participate in cross-functionalKaizen events, recognizing the value of collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.
• Support continuous improvement through hands-on involvement in shop-floor activities.

Manufacturing Systems, Layout & Methods

• Plan, design, implement, and improve manufacturing systems that support performance, reliability, maintainability, schedule adherence, and cost control.
• Establish methods, equipment, and layouts for direct and indirect labor using time studies and predetermined time systems (e.g., MTM).

Position Requirments:

• 4-6 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience owning manufacturing processes and supportingprocess control and sustainment.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principlesand tools.
• Understanding of industrial automation and its application to manufacturing improvement.
• Experience developing or supporting ROI and costjustification for improvement or capital projects.
• Effective communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally.
• Ability to support cultural change while balancingdata-driven analysis and practical problem solving.

Education Requirement:

Bachelor’s degree in MechanicalEngineering , Manufacture Engineering, Industrial Engineeringbackground or equivalent experience considered.