Continuous Improvement Engineer

TravelCenters of America

Cleveland (OH)

On-site

USD 100,000 - 110,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Company-paid training and advancement opportunities

Job summary

A leading travel center company is looking for a Continuous Improvement Engineer to drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence. You will employ data analytics and engineering techniques to identify process improvements and mentor teams in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. The role requires strong leadership and project management skills, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and financial performance.

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in continuous improvement or process engineering.
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and managing complex projects.
Strong analytical and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct process mapping and data analysis for operational improvements.
Lead cross-functional projects using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
Supervise quality management systems and compliance issues.

Skills

Data analytics

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma

Engineering techniques

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Power BI

AutoCAD

Minitab

Job description

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TravelCenters of America provided pay range

This range is provided by TravelCenters of America. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$100,000.00/yr - $110,000.00/yr

There’s never been a better time to join TravelCenters of America! For more than 50 years, millions of professional truck drivers and motorists have called our travel centers home, depending on us daily for fuel, food, truck maintenance and essential services.

Now a part of the bp family, TA is focused on growing its network of travel centers, implementing cutting edge technology and embarking on innovative alternative energy and sustainability initiatives.

From our locations across the country, to our corporate headquarters in Westlake, Ohio, every team member is a stakeholder in TA’s success. This environment offers endless career opportunities for individuals interested in sharing their ideas, growing with the company and shaping TA’s future.

Job Summary

As a Continuous Improvement Engineer at TravelCenters of America, you will use process mapping, statistical data analysis, and root cause analysis to identify and lead strategic initiatives to drive operational excellence. You’ll identify high-impact opportunities, design scalable solutions, and mentor others in Lean, Six Sigma, and engineering practices. This role demands strategic ownership, thinking big, acting decisively, and taking full accountability for meaningful change, along with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.

Success in this role hinges on your knowledge of data analytics, engineering techniques, and advanced lean tools, as well as your business acumen and ability to connect operational improvements. to customer experience and financial performance. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and build strong cross-functional relationships to ensure improvements are sustained and aligned with long-term goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Process Leadership

Conduct process mapping, statistical data analysis, and root cause analysis to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
Independently identify process gaps and systemic issues and design scalable solutions that enhance performance across multiple sites or functions.
Develop, prioritize, and lead an enterprise-wide comprehensive improvement plan that delivers measurable results in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee development.
Partner with senior leadership to align improvement efforts with strategic priorities and long-term goals.

Advanced Project Management

Lead and facilitate complex, cross-functional projects using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies to drive improved business results.
Manage project portfolios, ensuring timely execution, stakeholder alignment, and sustained impact.
Support go-live and stabilization phases, ensuring solutions are embedded and continuously improved.

Engineering & Lean Expertise

Apply advanced engineering tools (e.g., simulation modeling, layout optimization, labor standards, time studies, resource modeling, quality standards) to drive efficiency.
Identify and support opportunities for automation implementation within new and established processes.
Serve as a subject matter expert in Lean and Six Sigma, coaching teams and developing internal capabilities to sustain CI, Quality Assurance and Lean principles across the organization.
Effectively facilitate and execute Value Stream Maps and Kaizen Events through all stages (A3 charter ideations/creation, pre-work identification and completion, regular follow-up, and sustainment).
Apply engineering methodologies/tools such as process optimization, labor standards studies (time studies), layout optimization, data profiling and analysis, and resource modeling to improve Truck Service field and support center operations.

Quality & Compliance Leadership

Oversee the design, implementation, and sustainment of Quality Management Systems (QMS) across operations.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective action planning for complex quality and compliance issues.
Support process improvements as appropriate related to Quality Assurance for a start-up or expansion.
Support regulatory and certification efforts, ensuring standards are met and maintained.

Mentorship & Capability Building

Mentor junior engineers, specialists, and/or process owners, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Develop training materials and lead workshops to build Lean and engineering competencies across the organization.

Customer & Business Impact

Utilize advanced data analysis to analyze customer feedback and operational data to identify trends and solution improvement opportunities that enhance experience and performance.
Provide regular executive level reporting of data and actions to measure progress against site objectives. Make data driven optimization recommendations that align with Truck Service strategy.

Additional Responsibilities

Implement and monitor standardized corrective action systems.
Support safety, risk, and compliance initiatives, prioritizing the “Believe in Zero” safety philosophy.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the continuous improvement mission.

What We’d Like to See

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
5+ years of related experience in a continuous improvement, process engineering, or operations function in a similar industry.
Experience in developing and managing Leader Standard Work, Visual Management Systems, Management Accountability Systems, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, and 5S/Workplace Organization.
Intermediate understanding and experience in core engineering and data analysis functions such as slotting, utilization, labor planning, layouts and metrics.
Strong analytical, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Experience with advanced engineering tools, data visualization platforms, and database programming (e.g., Power BI, Minitab, AutoCAD, Labor Management Systems, SQL, VBA)
Knowledge of truck service operations, data analytics, industrial engineering and Lean methods.
Understanding of maintenance and repair solutions and automation types, etc.
Familiar with fleet management, vehicle maintenance operations, managed transportation networks, and various equipment types (trucks, tractors, trailers).
Travel requirement is approximately 50–75%.
Valid driver’s license
Preferred certifications: Lean Six Sigma, cPMP

With Us, You’ll Enjoy

Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity
Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid vacation and holidays
Company-paid training and advancement opportunities

Not all benefit plans are available to all team members. For a full list, visit: https://www.ta-petro.com/careers/working-at-ta-travel-centers

Pay Range

$100,000 to 110,000 annually - A pay range listed reflects the potential pay for this role. The pay will depend on various factors, such as responsibilities of the position, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Not all positions posted will have a pay range listed.

Our travel centers serve thousands every day; not one traveler is the same and our team must reflect that. We can "return every traveler to the road better than they came" only by understanding and celebrating individualism. TravelCenters of America is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, ancestry, sex, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, handicap, military service or Veteran status, genetic information or membership in any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law. At TravelCenters of America, we invite everyone to make themselves at home.

Typical Physical Demands

This role requires frequent verbal and written communication, strategic planning, and collaboration with field leaders and cross-functional teams. While the role is largely focused on analysis, leadership, and oversight, travel to locations will be required. During site visits, light physical activity such as walking, standing, or navigating shop environments may occur. Lifting or moving objects up to 50 lbs may be required on rare occasions. Visual acuity is essential for reviewing operational data, facilities, and service documentation. All tasks are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

The role is based in a professional environment with standard office conditions. Travel to indoor and outdoor locations will occur, exposing the individual to operational settings such as truck service shops. These environments may include mechanical noise, diesel fumes, moving equipment, and contact with substances typical of commercial vehicle maintenance (e.g., grease, oil). All site visits are conducted in accordance with company safety protocols, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and expected to be used.

Disclaimer

This job description may not list all duties for this position. The incumbent in this position may be asked to perform other duties. TA Operating LLC reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either the incumbent or TA Operating LLC may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

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