Continuous Improvement Engineer

FORVIA; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Forvia’s Chattanooga Seating plant is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer to deploy Faurecia Excellence System on the shop floor, lead Lean initiatives, and coach teams in problem solving and standard work. This early‑career role focuses on safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements while developing manufacturing change‑agent skills.

You will partner with plant leadership to drive continuous improvement, participate in kaizen events, and build your expertise through hands‑on projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related discipline).
• Experience working in a production or industrial environment (co‑op, internship, or full-time).
• Fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Support the Plant FES & Performance Manager in executing site and departmental continuous improvement plans.
• Apply Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies directly on the shopfloor through kaizen events, Gemba walks, and daily management routines.
• Coach and train plant personnel on Lean tools, problem‑solving techniques, and standard work.
• Ensure consistent application of FES / Lean standards across departments.
• Actively participate in shopfloor improvement activities to drive measurable KPI improvements.
• Transfer best practices and continuous improvement knowledge to supervisors, operators, and engineers.
• Collaborate with Division Continuous Improvement leaders to stay aligned with group standards and best practices.
• Uphold Forvia’s Code of Ethics and Code of Management in all activities.

Skills

Fluency in English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related discipline)

Job description

Forvia is a global leader in automotive technology, combining excellence in manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability. At our Chattanooga Seating plant, we are building the next generation of manufacturing talent and empowering early‑career engineers to drive operational excellence through world‑class continuous improvement practices.

Role Overview

As a Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will play a key role in deploying Forvia’s operational excellence framework (Faurecia Excellence System – FES) at the plant level. This is a hands‑on, shopfloor‑focused role ideal for early‑career engineers who are passionate about Lean manufacturing, process improvement, and people development.

You will partner closely with plant leadership and operations teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale—while building your own expertise as a manufacturing change agent.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Plant FES & Performance Manager in executing site and departmental continuous improvement plans
• Apply Lean / Continuous Improvement methodologies directly on the shopfloor through kaizen events, Gemba walks, and daily management routines
• Coach and train plant personnel on Lean tools, problem‑solving techniques, and standard work
• Ensure consistent application of FES / Lean standards across departments
• Actively participate in shopfloor improvement activities to drive measurable KPI improvements
• Transfer best practices and continuous improvement knowledge to supervisors, operators, and engineers
• Collaborate with Division Continuous Improvement leaders to stay aligned with group standards and best practices
• Uphold Forvia’s Code of Ethics and Code of Management in all activities

Who We’re Looking For

This role is designed for manufacturing or industrial engineers ready to grow in a dynamic plant environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related discipline)
• Experience working in a production or industrial environment (co‑op, internship, or full‑time)
• Fluency in English

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–3 years of professional experience in manufacturing (engineering, quality, production, or supervision)
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence systems
• Demonstrated ability to improve process KPIs through structured problem‑solving
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and coaching skills
• Comfort working on the shopfloor in a fast‑paced production environment

Why Join Forvia?

• Hands‑on exposure to world‑class Lean and Continuous Improvement practices
• Clear development path within manufacturing, operations, and leadership
• Opportunity to make a visible impact early in your career
• Collaborative plant culture with strong mentorship from experienced CI leaders
• Global company with long‑term career mobility

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship of any kind.