Manufacturing/Process Engineer - Lean, CAPEX & Improvement

Key People; Decorah (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Key People, Decorah, Iowa, seeks a Manufacturing/Process Engineer to develop and improve production processes. The role emphasizes process stability, continuous improvement, and capital project support in collaboration with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.

You will lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, analyze data, document standard work, support new product introductions, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency improvements on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• 4–7 years hands-on manufacturing or process engineering experience.
• Experience with lean manufacturing.
• Experience with capital projects.
• Strong working knowledge of process capability, cycle time analysis, scrap reduction, and efficiency metrics.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining detailed work instructions, standard work, and process documentation.
• Experience supporting capital equipment installation, commissioning, and process validation activities.
• Must enjoy being hands-on working with production teams.
• Advanced problem-solving skills with practical application of root cause analysis.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing data.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.
• Ability to travel up to 15% to support the needs of the business.

Responsibilities

• Support daily manufacturing operations by monitoring process performance and responding to process issues.
• Develop, document, and maintain work instructions, process flows, routings, and standard work.
• Analyze production data (scrap, rework, cycle time, downtime) to identify process improvement opportunities.
• Implement process changes to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and throughput.
• Support new product or process introductions by assisting with process setup, trials, and documentation.
• Drive and actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives by applying Lean, Six Sigma, and related methodologies.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts and implement corrective and preventive actions to address process issues.
• Proactively identify and eliminate waste, reduce scrap, minimize labor inefficiencies, and lower material costs.
• Champion kaizen events and consistently monitor improvement metrics and results.
• Sustain process improvements by updating documentation and conducting operator training sessions.
• Lead capital project initiatives by overseeing all phases, including equipment selection, justification, installation, and startup, to enhance operational capabilities and support business objectives.
• Develop and support capital requests by preparing ROI analyses and technical specifications that align with organizational goals and cost reduction strategies.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with vendors, Maintenance, and Operations teams to ensure seamless equipment installation and successful commissioning.
• Support process validation, capability studies, and acceptance testing for new or modified equipment to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and performance standards.
• Maintain and update documentation, standard work, and process instructions to reflect changes following capital project implementation, ensuring sustained improvements and knowledge transfer.
• Proactively support manufacturing processes by ensuring alignment with internal quality systems and customer requirements, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Take initiative in assisting with non-conformance investigations and implementing corrective actions to maintain high standards of product quality and compliance.
• Integrate safety, ergonomics, and risk mitigation strategies into process design and improvement efforts, fostering a safe and efficient work environment.
• Actively support internal audits and documentation reviews, contributing to sustained compliance and process reliability.
• Champion a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement throughout the shop floor to consistently achieve business objectives.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Process Engineering

Data Analysis

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Job description

Key People, Decorah, Iowa, seeks a Manufacturing/Process Engineer to develop and improve production processes. The role emphasizes process stability, continuous improvement, and capital project support in collaboration with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.

You will lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, analyze data, document standard work, support new product introductions, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency improvements on the shop floor.