Early Career Leadership Development Program: Plant Operations Management

Eaton Group; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton is seeking candidates for its Early Career Leadership Development Program in Plant Operations Management. Participants will drive process improvements, lead hourly teams, and rotate through Manufacturing Engineer and Continuous Improvement assignments, with certification opportunities and leadership training.

Applicants should have an engineering degree, a minimum GPA of 2.8, and be willing to relocate across the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering with graduation before August 2027.
• Minimum overall GPA of 2.8.
• Minimum of one internship/co-op or 3 months manufacturing experience.
• No sponsorship for CPT/OPT/STEM OPT or other visa.
• Must relocate within the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant-level projects on process optimization and cost savings.
• Analyze data using lean methods and time studies to guide decisions.
• Develop frontline leadership and guide hourly manufacturing teams.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives like new product introduction.
• Complete a 3-year program with two rotations: Manufacturing Engineer and CI, then Manager of People.

Skills

Data-driven problem solving

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Teamwork

Financial understanding

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Engineering (Industrial/Mechanical)

Minimum GPA 2.8

Job description

We make what matters work. You want to make an impact in the world. At Eaton, we’re solving some of the toughest challenges on the planet. Our Early Career Programs open up an exciting world of opportunities for you to make a difference on a global scale. Your assignments are more than tasks and busy work; they're your chance to drive innovation in intelligent power management and shape the future of our company. You'll team up with seasoned leaders, gaining diverse experiences that'll drive you forward to define and reach your career goals.

What sets our Early Career Programs apart:

• Personalized Program Experience: We’re committed to energizing your career and empowering your impact. No two participants share the same experience or set of responsibilities.
• Global Perspectives: Our Development Program spans diverse businesses and locations. Relocating to an endorsed Eaton site within the United States is a required part of the adventure, enhancing your learning and maximizing program benefits.
• Role Exploration: You'll explore various roles early on and participate in our LDP Core Learning Series. These experiences allow you to build your functional expertise and leadership capabilities to maximize your potential for future roles.
• Strategic Networking: Collaborate with senior leaders with mentorship programs woven into your experience. Directly shape peer engagement, learning, development, and the overall participant experience by serving on LDP advisory boards.
• In our Operations Program: You’ll earn both Yellow and Green Belt certifications, enhancing process improvement expertise and professional credentials.

It’s time to make connections, get energized, and power ahead.

Eaton provides a competitive total rewards package commensurate with applicable skills, knowledge, and experience and consistent with internal and external market practices. The annual salary for this role is $82,000 (bachelor’s degree) with a one-time $6,000 signing bonus or $90,000 (master’s degree) with a one-time $12,000 signing bonus.

What you’ll do:

You’ll take on plant‑level projects focused on process optimization, improving quality, reducing lead times, continuous improvement, cost savings, and delivering exceptional customer value. You’ll apply critical thinking to analyze data, solve complex problems, and make informed operational decisions that drive measurable results. Expect to sharpen your expertise in lean manufacturing and data‑driven decision making, leveraging tools like time studies, KPIs, and root cause analysis, while building business and financial acumen tied to productivity and cost performance.

On the shop floor, you’ll develop frontline leadership skills as you support and guide hourly manufacturing teams, using emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience to build strong relationships and foster a collaborative, high performing environment. You’ll lead and contribute to cross‑functional initiatives, including new product introduction, manufacturing readiness, and continuous improvement efforts, applying structured program management and change leadership principles to drive adoption and sustain results. Through hands‑on problem solving, standardization, and engagement in daily management systems, you’ll help enable safe, efficient operations while strengthening your ability to influence, lead change, and deliver lasting operational impact.

The Early Career Leadership Development Program - Plant Operations Management is a three-year immersive program with 2 rotations:

Rotation 1

• Assignment (1 year) : Manufacturing Engineer
• Assignment (1 year): Continuous Improvement (CI)

Rotation 2

• Final Assignment: Manager of People: Front Line Leader

All participants will have the opportunity to gain hands on manufacturing experience, hold a manager of people position, receive yellow and green belt certifications, and participate in a functional and leadership learning curriculum series.

After completion of the program, your experience and newly acquired skills could lead you in a variety of leadership career paths within manufacturing and operations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering from an accredited institution, with a graduation date before August 2027
• Minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.8
• Minimum of one internship/co-op experience or an equivalent of 3 months of manufacturing experience completed at the time of this application (excluding research)
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
• Must be geographically flexible to relocate within the United States

Preferred Qualifications and Interests:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Industrial and/or Mechanical Engineering
• Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Interest or previous experience in manufacturing
• Passion for data-driven problem solving and decision making
• Familiarity with root cause analysis methods
• Exposure to lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Ability to analyze processes and improve performance
• Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
• Basic business and financial understanding
• Excited by manufacturing systems

Position Criteria:

• Interest in pursuing a career as a leader of people in operations
• Transportation to and from the worksite and for incidental business travel is the responsibility of the participant; however, expenses for required and approved business travel (not including the worksite) will be reimbursed
• This role may include travel (up to 25%) within a local region and internationally as determined by the assignment manager

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton considers qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with local laws.

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.