Continuous Improvement Engineer

Snyder Executive Search; Lake City (Erie County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Snyder Executive Search is helping a manufacturing client raise its Lean capability by placing a Continuous Improvement Engineer who will shape the plant's Lean journey and drive meaningful improvements. The role offers substantial autonomy, close collaboration with the Plant Manager, and high visibility across operations.

The engineer will lead Lean initiatives on the shop floor, develop standard work, and coach teams to sustain gains while targeting productivity, quality, and delivery

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, or process engineering.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the plant’s Lean and continuous improvement roadmap.
• Lead improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes and value streams.
• Collaborate with operators and supervisors to troubleshoot production challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Apply Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and value stream mapping to reduce waste, increase throughput, and shorten lead times.
• Improve work cells, plant layouts, labor utilization, and material flow.
• Establish standard work, manufacturing documentation, and performance metrics that make improvements repeatable and measurable.
• Coach employees on improvement methods and build participation in the plant’s Lean journey.
• Use production data and root cause analysis to address recurring issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
• Support new product introductions, process validation, production readiness, and First Article Inspections.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to reduce defects and the cost of poor quality.
• Evaluate automation, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing technology improvements.
• Manage improvement projects from initial analysis through implementation, including timelines, budgets, and results.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Project management

Independent work

Cross-functional influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Continuous Improvement Engineer

Help shape the Lean journey at a growing manufacturer where business is strong and your ideas can make a visible impact.

Snyder Executive Search is recruiting a Continuous Improvement Engineer for an established manufacturer in the early stages of its Lean journey. This is an opportunity to help build the continuous improvement approach across the plant, with significant influence over how processes develop and improvements take hold.

You’ll have a largely blank slate, substantial autonomy, and strong support from the Plant Manager. For someone who enjoys identifying opportunities, putting ideas into action, and seeing measurable results, this role offers the freedom and visibility to make a meaningful difference.

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, you’ll spend the majority of your time on the manufacturing floor, partnering with operators, supervisors, and engineering teams to solve problems and build more effective ways of working.

Why consider this opportunity?

• Shape the Lean journey: Help establish improvement priorities, standard work, and practices that will support the plant’s future.
• Own your work: Have substantial autonomy to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and drive implementation.
• Get leadership support: Work with a Plant Manager who will actively support your efforts.
• Make a visible impact: Your contributions to productivity, quality, capacity, and delivery will be seen across the operation.
• Support continued growth: Join a manufacturer with strong business and help build the processes and capacity to keep growing.

What you’ll do

• Help develop and execute the plant’s Lean and continuous improvement roadmap.
• Lead improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes and assigned value streams.
• Work directly with operators and supervisors to troubleshoot production challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Apply Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and value stream mapping to reduce waste, increase throughput, and shorten lead times.
• Improve work cells, plant layouts, labor utilization, and material flow.
• Establish standard work, manufacturing documentation, and performance metrics that make improvements repeatable and measurable.
• Coach employees on improvement methods and build participation in the plant’s Lean journey.
• Use production data and root cause analysis to address recurring issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
• Support new product introductions, process validation, production readiness, and First Article Inspections.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to reduce defects and the cost of poor quality.
• Evaluate automation, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing technology improvements.
• Manage improvement projects from initial analysis through implementation, including timelines, budgets, and results.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, operational excellence, or process engineering.
• Practical experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar improvement methods.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• The initiative to work independently and move improvements forward.
• The ability to earn credibility on the plant floor, engage employees, and influence cross-functional teams.
• A hands-on approach and a willingness to spend substantial time in the manufacturing environment.

Preferred experience

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent experience.
• Machining, welding, assembly, testing, metrology, or other discrete manufacturing processes.
• SPC, APQP, PFMEA, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Automation or advanced manufacturing technology implementation.
• Union manufacturing environments.
• ERP and manufacturing systems.