CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ENGINEER

Americanhighway; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer to drive operational excellence and innovation. This role is pivotal in enhancing productivity and safety across manufacturing processes by leveraging automation and AI technologies. The ideal candidate will lead lean initiatives, analyze data to identify improvement opportunities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement effective solutions. Join a forward-thinking company committed to building critical infrastructure and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact and thrive in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with data visualization tools and digital manufacturing platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead lean initiatives and analyze operational performance using data.
• Implement solutions using automation and AI to improve efficiency.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing Principles

Six Sigma

Data Analysis

Automation

AI Technologies

Communication Skills

Facilitation Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

2+ Years of Experience in Manufacturing

Tools

Redzone OPEX Platform

Tableau

Power BI

ERP Systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: K3 - Kankakee, IL

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: None

Salary Range: $79000.00 - $100000.00 Salary/year

Travel Percentage: None

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Engineering

Description

About American Highway

At American Highway, we exist to Keep America Moving by supplying critical infrastructure products that help build and maintain the roads and airport pavements that connect our country. We take pride in manufacturing excellence, operational efficiency, and a culture that promotes innovation, ownership, and results.

Position Summary:

The Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer is responsible for identifying, leading, and executing initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency, quality, and safety across manufacturing and business processes. This role is essential in fostering a culture of operational excellence and driving measurable improvements aligned with American Highway’s strategic goals. The CI Engineer will leverage automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and our OPEX platform Redzone to maximize process efficiency and drive innovation on the shop floor, while also supporting enterprise-wide OPEX projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate lean initiatives across the plant, including Kaizen events, value stream mapping, 5S, SMED, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Analyze operational performance using data and KPIs to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.
• Identify and implement solutions that harness automation, AI, and smart technologies to streamline production and improve consistency.
• Maximize the use of Redzone, our real-time OPEX platform, to drive visibility, accountability, and engagement on the shop floor.
• Assist in managing and executing projects that support the development and deployment of our Enterprise OPEX platform, ensuring alignment with corporate operational excellence goals.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Safety) to implement solutions that reduce waste and increase throughput.
• Develop and maintain standard work documentation and support the training of employees on improved methods and procedures.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement by engaging employees at all levels and promoting proactive problem-solving.
• Monitor and report progress on CI projects and cost savings achieved, ensuring alignment with plant goals.
• Support capital project planning by providing input on process optimization and ROI analysis.
• This role may require occasional travel to American Highway’s various manufacturing facilities to support cross-site improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, and process improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with manufacturing automation, data analytics, and AI technologies preferred.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is a plus.
• Experience working with digital manufacturing platforms like Redzone or similar OEE/OPEX tools is a plus.
• Experience supporting enterprise-level CI or OPEX initiatives is highly desirable.
• Proficient in data analysis, root cause analysis (5 Whys, Fishbone, etc.), and continuous improvement tools.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills; able to work effectively with frontline employees and leadership.
• Self-driven, organized, and results-oriented, with a track record of implementing successful improvement initiatives.
• Experience with ERP systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and basic CAD (preferred but not required).
• Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting with a focus on lean/CI preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and working on a computer.
• Must be able to traverse and access all areas of manufacturing facilities.
• Occasional lifting up to 15 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Regional travel to manufacturing locations required.
• Office and production floor environments.
• Safety equipment and PPE required while on the plant floor.
• Exposure to varying temperatures and noise levels depending on location.
• Travel less than 10% of the time.