Continuous Improvement Technician

Bazooka Farmstar; Washington (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Bazooka Farmstar is seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Technician to drive lean improvements across our Washington, IA factory. You will work on assembly, paint, welding, and fabrication processes, using BOMs, drawings, and CAD/CAM tools to deliver measurable gains in throughput, quality, and cost.

The role requires practical shop-floor experience, strong problem-solving, and collaboration with production, quality, engineering, and maintenance teams to implement standard work and best

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on background in manufacturing with assembly, paint, quality inspection, welding, and fabrication.
• Proven track record of lean initiatives on the shop floor.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and work instructions.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing quality standards and problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and attention to detail; works well independently or on a team.
• Excellent communication skills; able to engage with operators and leadership at all levels.
• High school diploma or equivalent; technical diploma or certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Analyze current manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using lean tools.
• Collaborate with production, quality, engineering, and maintenance teams to implement changes.
• Review BOMs, drawings, and work instructions for manufacturability improvements.
• Use CAD/CAM systems to support fixture design and tooling updates.
• Conduct time studies and track KPIs like cycle time and yield.
• Support quality improvement efforts and defect reduction.
• Train operators on new processes and standards.
• Maintain documentation of improvements and change records.
• Participate in cross-functional problem solving and safety culture.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing

Lean process improvement

Blueprint reading

Quality standards

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical diploma / associate degree or certifications preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

CAM software

Job description

Location: Washington, IA

Job Id:182

# of Openings:1

Job Summary

We are seeking a hands-on Continuous Improvement Technician to drive process optimization, efficiency gains, and quality enhancements across our factory operations. This role focuses on identifying waste, implementing lean improvements, and supporting production teams in assembly, paint, quality, welding, and fabrication areas. The ideal candidate will leverage practical shop-floor experience combined with technical knowledge of BOMs, drawings, and CAD/CAM systems to deliver measurable results in throughput, quality, and cost reduction.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze current manufacturing processes in assembly, paint, welding, fabrication, and quality areas to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives using lean tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, PDCA).
• Collaborate with production, quality, engineering, and maintenance teams to implement process changes, standard work, and best practices.
• Review and interpret BOMs, engineering drawings, and work instructions to recommend design-for-manufacturability improvements or process adjustments.
• Utilize CAD and CAM systems to support fixture design, process simulation, toolpath optimization, or documentation updates as needed.
• Conduct time studies, process capability analysis, and waste reduction projects; track and report KPIs such as cycle time, scrap rates, first-pass yield, and productivity.
• Support quality improvement efforts, including defect reduction in paint, weld, and fabricated components.
• Assist with training operators and technicians on new processes, tools, and standards.
• Maintain accurate documentation of improvements, updated work instructions, and change control records.
• Participate in cross-functional problem-solving teams and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and safety.

Required Qualifications

• Strong hands-on background in manufacturing environments with direct experience in assembly, paint processes, quality control/inspection, welding, and fabrication.
• Proven track record of process improvement or lean manufacturing projects on the shop floor.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and work instructions.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing quality standards and problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and ability to work independently or in teams.
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to engage with operators and leadership at all levels.
• High school diploma or equivalent; technical diploma, associate degree, or relevant certifications preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Bills of Materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, and revision control.
• Familiarity with CAD systems (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and CAM software for process or tooling support.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma tools, or formal continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in a high-mix or precision manufacturing environment involving metal fabrication, welding, and finishing processes.
• Forklift or other equipment certifications a plus.

Skills & Attributes

• Practical problem-solver with a bias for action and data-driven decisions.
• Comfortable spending significant time on the production floor.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to influence without authority.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous learning.