Engineer, Operational Excellence #4892

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan with employer

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Flexible time-off or vacation

Mindfulness programs

Job summary

GRAIL is seeking an Engineer, Operational Excellence to advance continuous improvement across our sequencing-based cancer screening operations. You will bridge data, process, and operations to boost efficiency, quality, and scalability in laboratory workflows at our Durham, NC site.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and SPC/QC methods, strong data analytics skills with Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, and Power BI, and a proven ability to work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in process engineering, operations, or continuous improvement roles, ideally in biotech, diagnostics, or manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies (certification a plus).
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI).
• Familiarity with SPC/QC tools and statistical analysis techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Operational Data & Reporting: Support generation and automation of KPI reporting, ensuring data integrity and usability.
• Process Analysis & Monitoring: Perform data exploration and statistical analysis to identify trends, variation, and potential process deviations.
• Continuous Improvement Execution: Execute and support Lean initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen events, and Six Sigma projects.
• Issue Tracking & Prioritization Support: Capture and document operational issues, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Software, and Product teams to implement process improvements.

Skills

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Data analysis

Data visualization tools

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.

We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.

GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.

For more information, please visit grail.com

The Engineer, Operational Excellence will support continuous improvement initiatives within our sequencing-based cancer screening operations. This role will work at the intersection of data, process, and operations to enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability across laboratory and operational workflows. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, data-savvy, and experienced in Lean methodologies, with a strong inclination toward solving complex operational problems through structured analysis and experimentation. This role works on-site full-time at our office located in Durham, NC

Responsibilities:

• Operational Data & Reporting

  • Support generation and automation of KPI reporting, ensuring data integrity and usability

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to refine metrics and improve visibility into operational performance

• Process Analysis & Monitoring

  • Perform data exploration and statistical analysis to identify trends, variation, and potential process deviations

  • Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Quality Control (QC) methods to monitor and improve process stability

• Continuous Improvement Execution

  • Execute and support Lean initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen events, and Six Sigma projects

  • Partner with operations teams to pilot, measure, and scale process improvements

• Issue Tracking & Prioritization Support

  • Capture and document operational issues, risks, and improvement opportunities

  • Support prioritization of improvement efforts in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Software, and Product teams to implement process improvements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in process engineering, operations, or continuous improvement roles, ideally in biotech, diagnostics, or manufacturing
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies (certification a plus)
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI)
• Familiarity with SPC/QC tools and statistical analysis techniques
• Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy
• Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across teams

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy
• Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across teams

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work performed across office, production, and executive settings.
• Exposure to manufacturing environments, including noise, chemicals, and production equipment.
• Extended or flexible hours may be required to meet organizational goals.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, required in designated areas.

The expected, full-time, annual base pay scale for this position is $69K - $93K. Actual base pay will consider skills, experience, and location.

This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion.

• annual bonus and/or incentives

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications.

Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies.

• flexible time-off or vacation
• a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• carefully selected mindfulness programs

GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.

GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!