Continuous Improvement Engineer

Actalent; Merrillville (IN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and R

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation or Sick Leave

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Continuous Improvement Engineer for a newly established distribution operation in Northwest Indiana. You will drive Lean initiatives, perform root-cause analyses, and partner with operations leaders to boost productivity and quality in a fast-paced warehouse.

Ideal candidates are early-career engineers or recent graduates with hands-on problem-solving skills, ERP familiarity, and the ability to map processes and implement Standard Work and 5S in daily operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical/Supply Chain/Operations Engineering or related field.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Proven problem-solving abilities, including experience with root cause analysis and structured methodologies.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with leadership and frontline teams.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment and contribute to cross-functional initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite.
• Foundational knowledge of continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, and process improvement principles.
• Ability to understand and map process flows within warehouse and distribution operations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze warehouse and operational processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies to address operational issues.
• Collect, interpret, and analyze operational data to support continuous improvement initiatives and decision-making.
• Partner with operations leadership and frontline employees to evaluate current workflows and recommend practical improvements.
• Support Lean initiatives including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kanban systems, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Develop clear process documentation, standard operating procedures, and detailed improvement plans.
• Monitor performance metrics and measure the effectiveness of implemented solutions to ensure sustainable results.
• Participate in cross-functional projects focused on operational excellence, process optimization, and efficiency gains.
• Assist with process audits and continuous improvement activities throughout the facility to maintain high operational standards.
• Utilize ERP systems and operational reporting tools to support analysis, reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Apply concepts such as line balancing, process flow optimization, and Kaizen to improve warehouse and distribution operations.
• Contribute to project management activities related to continuous improvement efforts, including planning, execution, and follow-up.

Skills

Analytical skills

Root cause analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Excel proficiency

Lean manufacturing

Process mapping

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical/Supply Chain/Operations Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP systems (Oracle)

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Engineer Job Description

The Continuous Improvement Engineer supports a newly established distribution and logistics operation in Northwest Indiana by driving process improvement within a fast-paced warehouse environment. This role is ideal for recent engineering graduates or early-career engineers who want to gain hands‑on experience in Lean methodologies, operations, and structured problem‑solving while collaborating closely with operations leadership to enhance productivity, quality, and overall performance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze warehouse and operational processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct root cause investigations using structured problem‑solving methodologies to address operational issues.
• Collect, interpret, and analyze operational data to support continuous improvement initiatives and decision‑making.
• Partner with operations leadership and frontline employees to evaluate current workflows and recommend practical improvements.
• Support Lean initiatives including 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Kanban systems, and other continuous improvement tools.
• Develop clear process documentation, standard operating procedures, and detailed improvement plans.
• Monitor performance metrics and measure the effectiveness of implemented solutions to ensure sustainable results.
• Participate in cross‑functional projects focused on operational excellence, process optimization, and efficiency gains.
• Assist with process audits and continuous improvement activities throughout the facility to maintain high operational standards.
• Utilize ERP systems and operational reporting tools to support analysis, reporting, and strategic decision‑making.
• Apply concepts such as line balancing, process flow optimization, and Kaizen to improve warehouse and distribution operations.
• Contribute to project management activities related to continuous improvement efforts, including planning, execution, and follow‑up.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, Operations Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Proven problem‑solving abilities, including experience with root cause analysis and structured methodologies.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with leadership and frontline teams.
• Ability to work well in a team‑oriented environment and contribute to cross‑functional initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite.
• Foundational knowledge of continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, and process improvement principles.
• Ability to understand and map process flows within warehouse and distribution operations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Internship, co‑op, project, or professional experience involving continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, process engineering, industrial engineering, or warehouse and distribution operations.
• Exposure to root cause analysis techniques, including 5 Whys.
• Familiarity with PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodology.
• Experience supporting or implementing 5S systems in an operational environment.
• Experience with ERP systems; exposure to Oracle or similar platforms is beneficial.
• Understanding of Kaizen principles and their application in operational settings.
• Knowledge of line balancing and process flow optimization.
• Basic project management experience related to operational or engineering initiatives.

Work Environment

This role operates in a distribution and warehouse environment that is fast‑paced and focused on operational excellence. Personal protective equipment is required while on the warehouse floor, including steel‑toe shoes, to ensure safety. Cell phones are not permitted on the warehouse floor to maintain focus and reduce distractions. The facility maintains a smoke‑free environment, with no smoking allowed on‑site, including in the parking lot. You will work closely with operations teams, leveraging ERP systems and data‑driven tools, while adhering to safety protocols and established standard work practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Merrillville, IN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $36.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Merrillville,IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.