Lean Industrial Engineer

Fontana; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Fontana in Sterling Heights, MI is seeking an Industrial Engineer to apply lean manufacturing and quantitative methods to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and capacity across manufacturing and business processes. This role supports planning of new technology tools and equipment, including plant layouts and capacity studies.

Responsibilities include time/delay studies, OEE analysis, and development of standardized work, plus training staff on Lean methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.
• 3–5 years Industrial Engineering/Continuous Improvement experience.
• Proficient in time/delay studies.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing techniques.
• Experience in preparing detailed cost benefit analysis reports and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct time/delay studies on machines and operators.
• Quantitative analysis of manpower, equipment, downtime, material use, OEE and other resources.
• Create, implement and/or assist in standardized work, layouts, machine capacity analysis, PDCA and 5S tools.
• Conduct and participate in training of employees for new processes/Lean Manufacturing.
• Assist in budgeting and development of plant operational metrics.

Skills

Time/delay studies

Lean Manufacturing

Cost-benefit analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

Google for Work

Job description

NA HQ, 6125 18 MILE RD, Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Friday, July 31, 2026 at 4:00 AM

We believe our employees are the reason for our success, and our compensation and benefits are designed to reflect that belief.

Position Summary

This position utilizes lean manufacturing and industrial engineering thinking with quantitative analytical methods to drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and capacity throughout our organization in both our manufacturing and business processes. These improvements will drive customer satisfaction which will result in future revenue growth. In addition, these improvements will drive costs down which will improve profitability. This position is also responsible for effectively supporting the planning of new technology tools and new equipment acquisitions, including plant layout planning and machine capacity studies for these assets.

Position Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Conduct time/delay studies on machines and operators.
• Quantitative analysis of manpower, equipment, downtime, material use, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and other operations-related resources
• Create, implement and/or assist in the implementation, sustainment, and improvement of Industrial Engineering including:
  • Standardized work instructions
  • Direct and Indirect Labor studies
  • Plant Layouts including the measurement of current machines
  • Machine Capacity/ Capability analysis
  • PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) and A3 Problem Solving techniques including root cause and 5-why analysis
  • 5S and Visual factory tools to communicate shop performance
  • Detailed downtime analysis of machines with plant team members to determine cost and opportunities to improve
  • Customer requested machine capacity verifications in coordination with Sales Team
  • Sustainment and audit systems
• Conduct and participate in training of employees for new processes/ Lean Manufacturing methodology
• Participate in the annual budgeting process
• Assist in development of plant operational metrics (OEE, MTTR-MTBF, Avg. Hours/ Setup, Machine Parts Per Minute, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Qualifications-Education/Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering
• At least three to five years Industrial Engineering/ Continuous Improvement experience
• Proficient in time/delay studies
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing techniques
• Experience in preparing detailed cost benefit analysis reports to support project requests
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficient in spreadsheets (Excel/ Sheets)

Preferred:

• Experience in plant layout and facilities planning
• Advanced training and experience in operations research including the ability to analyze and solve mathematical models using mathematical programming or experience with process technologies and designing and implementing process improvements
• Knowledge of fastener manufacturing equipment and processes
• Experience dealing with outside equipment suppliers
• Experience preparing documentation and training materials
• Experience using Google for Work

Travel Requirements

Approximately 20% of work time will entail travel within Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee

We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, handicap, genetic infiltration, disability or status as a veteran. Fontana reserves the right to require a drug screening at any time during the employment process.

NA HQ, 6125 18 MILE RD, Sterling Heights, Michigan, United States of America