Continuous Improvement Engineer

Precision Castparts; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Castparts in Los Angeles is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer to identify, develop, and implement manufacturing and business-process improvements.

This hands‑on role partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Tooling, Maintenance, and other cross‑functional teams to strengthen the plant’s 6S culture, eliminate waste, reduce process variation, improve flow, and enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in CI, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, or related role.
• Proven experience applying Lean tools such as value stream mapping, 6S/5S, standard work, visual management, cellular flow, and Kaizen.
• Experience leading or supporting FMEA, root cause analysis, corrective actions, process capability studies, and SPC activities.
• Experience implementing cross-functional improvement projects and documenting measurable operational or financial results.
• Aerospace, defense, precision manufacturing, machining, assembly, or regulated manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze processes to identify waste, bottlenecks, variation, and improvement opportunities.
• Plan and execute continuous improvement projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, process mapping, root cause analysis, FMEA, A3/DMAIC, and other structured problem‑solving activities.
• Support and sustain PCC 6S standards through workplace organization, visual management, standard work, audits, and employee engagement.
• Develop current‑state and future‑state process designs, implementation plans, project schedules, and measurable success criteria.
• Collect, validate, and analyze process data; perform capability studies and statistical analyses; and establish SPC methods where appropriate.
• Define and monitor key performance indicators, quantify benefits, and report project status, risks, savings, and sustainment results.
• Develop and maintain standard work, process documentation, visual controls, procedures, and training materials that support implemented improvements.
• Partner with operators and technical teams to test proposed changes, validate results, and transition successful solutions into daily operations.
• Provide practical coaching and training in Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, and problem‑solving tools to employees at multiple levels of the organization.
• Develop cost‑benefit analyses and business cases for improvement projects, tooling, fixtures, equipment, and process changes.
• Support customer, quality, safety, and corrective‑action initiatives that require process improvement or data analysis.
• Standardize successful improvements and share lessons learned and best practices across applicable departments and processes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

6S/5S

Value stream mapping

Standard work

Visual management

Waste reduction

DMAIC

Root cause analysis

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Lean Green Belt or Six Sigma Green Belt

Black Belt certification is a plus

Project management training

Tools

ERP systems

Statistical analysis software

Minitab

Job description

The Continuous Improvement Engineer supports the success of the company by identifying, developing, and implementing improvements across manufacturing and business processes. This hands‑on individual contributor partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Tooling, Maintenance, and other cross‑functional teams to strengthen the plant’s 6S culture, eliminate waste, reduce process variation, improve flow, and enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. The incumbent applies Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, statistical analysis, and structured problem‑solving methods to deliver measurable, sustainable operational and financial results.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes, production data, workflow, capacity, and material movement to identify waste, bottlenecks, variation, and improvement opportunities
• Plan and execute continuous improvement projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction
• Facilitate Kaizen events, value stream mapping, process mapping, root cause analysis, FMEA, A3/DMAIC, and other structured problem‑solving activities
• Support and sustain PCC 6S standards through workplace organization, visual management, standard work, audits, and employee engagement
• Develop current‑state and future‑state process designs, implementation plans, project schedules, and measurable success criteria
• Collect, validate, and analyze process data; perform capability studies and statistical analyses; and establish SPC methods where appropriate
• Define and monitor key performance indicators, quantify benefits, and report project status, risks, savings, and sustainment results
• Develop and maintain standard work, process documentation, visual controls, procedures, and training materials that support implemented improvements
• Partner with operators and technical teams to test proposed changes, validate results, and transition successful solutions into daily operations
• Provide practical coaching and training in Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, and problem‑solving tools to employees at multiple levels of the organization
• Develop cost‑benefit analyses and business cases for improvement projects, tooling, fixtures, equipment, and process changes
• Support customer, quality, safety, and corrective‑action initiatives that require process improvement or data analysis
• Standardize successful improvements and share lessons learned and best practices across applicable departments and processes
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Skills

• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 6S/5S, value stream mapping, standard work, visual management, and waste reduction
• Demonstrated ability to apply structured problem‑solving methods such as DMAIC, A3, 8D, root cause analysis, and corrective action
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and data visualization skills, including the ability to perform and interpret statistical analyses
• Knowledge of FMEA, SPC, process capability, measurement systems, and control plans
• Understanding of manufacturing processes, production flow, quality systems, and engineering documentation
• Project management skills with the ability to organize work, manage timelines, coordinate resources, and deliver results
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build commitment among operators, supervisors, engineers, and functional leaders
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and technical documentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and statistical analysis software; experience with ERP or manufacturing systems preferred
• Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and action‑oriented, with sound judgment and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work effectively in a hands‑on manufacturing environment and collaborate across functions and shifts

Required Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, or a related manufacturing role
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean tools such as value stream mapping, 6S/5S, standard work, visual management, cellular flow, and Kaizen
• Experience leading or supporting FMEA, root cause analysis, corrective actions, process capability studies, and SPC activities
• Experience implementing cross‑functional improvement projects and documenting measurable operational or financial results
• Aerospace, defense, precision manufacturing, machining, assembly, or regulated manufacturing experience preferred

Level Of Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required; demonstrated equivalent technical knowledge and experience may be considered
• Three or more years of relevant manufacturing or process improvement experience preferred
• Lean or Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred; Black Belt certification is a plus
• Formal training in project management, statistical analysis, or quality engineering methods is preferred