Manufacturing Engineer - CI

Precision Castparts; Connecticut; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Precision Castparts in Connecticut is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer responsible for leading operational excellence initiatives in the investment casting process.

This role focuses on waste elimination, productivity improvement, and overall process efficiency using Lean Manufacturing principles. The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement sustainable improvements and support new product introductions.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Proven track record of process improvement, self-motivated and data-driven.
• Ability to work in a heavy manufacturing environment and lift materials up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in casting operations.
• Identify inefficiencies, waste, and variation using Lean principles.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement workshops.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives to improve safety, quality, and productivity.
• Develop and report key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Analyze processes to increase efficiency and reduce scrap.

Skills

Analytical skills

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Data-driven problem solving

Lean Manufacturing principles

Job description

Purpose

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for leading and driving operational excellence initiatives throughout the investment casting manufacturing process. This role focuses on identifying and eliminating waste, improving productivity, reducing costs, enhancing quality, and increasing overall process efficiency through the application of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams to implement sustainable improvements that support safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. While the primary focus is Continuous Improvement, the role will also provide manufacturing engineering support for process optimization, problem‑solving, and new product introduction activities.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives across all areas of the casting operation, including wax, shell, melt, finishing, and support processes.
• Identify inefficiencies, waste, bottlenecks, and variation using Lean Manufacturing principles, process observation, and data analysis.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping activities, and continuous improvement workshops.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on improving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Develop, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure process performance and improvement effectiveness.
• Analyze manufacturing processes and implement improvements to increase efficiency, reduce scrap, improve yield, and optimize throughput.
• Lead structured problem‑solving efforts using methodologies such as 5‑Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), A3, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Investigate production and quality issues and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Take ownership of improvement opportunities and drive implementation through completion, ensuring sustainable results.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, process flow diagrams, and visual controls.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), process transfers, and manufacturing process transitions.
• Assist with tooling, fixturing, and process optimization activities throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams to develop practical and sustainable solutions.
• Partner with supervisors, operators, and leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute continuous improvement opportunities.
• Conduct data collection, analysis, and reporting to support process improvement and decision‑making efforts.
• Provide technical and engineering support to production teams to resolve day‑to‑day manufacturing challenges.
• Promote and foster a culture of continuous improvement, employee engagement, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Participate in Lean initiatives including 5S, standard work, visual management, and waste reduction programs.
• Communicate project objectives, status updates, results, and recommendations effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Support compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform additional engineering, quality, and operational improvement duties as assigned.

Special Skills And Physical Requirements

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, data‑driven problem solver with a proven track record of process improvement.
• Ability to work in a heavy manufacturing environment, including lifting materials up to 50 lbs.