Lean CI Engineer III - Manufacturing Process Excellence

AAF International (American Air Filter); Greenville, Washington (NC, NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AAF International is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer in the Greenville, NC area to stabilize and improve manufacturing processes using Lean practices, data-driven analysis, and automation support. You will lead cross-functional Lean initiatives, coach teams, and ensure sustainable gains through standard work and problem-solving methodologies.

The role emphasizes process control, visual management, and collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to drive

Qualifications

• 4–6 years in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience owning manufacturing processes and supporting process control and sustainment.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and tools.
• Understanding of industrial automation and its application to manufacturing improvement.
• Experience developing or supporting ROI and cost justification for improvement or capital projects.
• Effective communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally.
• Ability to support cultural change while balancing data-driven analysis and practical problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a process subject matter expert for assigned manufacturing processes, understanding process flow, capability, constraints, and risks.
• Lead efforts to bring processes into statistical control and sustain gains using standard work, control plans, SPC, and visual management.
• Recommend and implement improvements to production processes, methods, and controls.
• Apply analytical and creative thinking to solve manufacturing problems and improve performance.
• Lead, support, and facilitate the ongoing shift toward a Lean culture across the organization.
• Act as a coach and change agent by helping teams understand why Lean practices are used, not just how.
• Encourage employee engagement and ownership of continuous improvement at all levels.
• Partner with leaders and teams to reinforce Lean behaviors, standard work, and continuous improvement routines.
• Help embed Lean thinking into daily management systems and decision-making.
• Utilize at least one structured problem-solving methodology, such as DMAIC, PDCA, Shainin Red X.
• Support team-based problem-solving activities and knowledge sharing.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles and tools, including 5S and visual workplace, Kaizen, Kanban, and takt time analysis.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Process improvement

Data-driven analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Automation understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SPC

5S

Kanban

Job description

AAF International is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer in the Greenville, NC area to stabilize and improve manufacturing processes using Lean practices, data-driven analysis, and automation support. You will lead cross-functional Lean initiatives, coach teams, and ensure sustainable gains through standard work and problem-solving methodologies.

The role emphasizes process control, visual management, and collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to drive