Manufacturing Process Engineer — Lean Improvement for Wood

Upside Search; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Upside Search is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to improve our client's manufacturing operations on the shop floor in Virginia. The role focuses on process optimization, productivity, quality, waste reduction, equipment performance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include analyzing processes, removing bottlenecks, supporting maintenance, and leading Lean initiatives to drive measurable gains in efficiency and product quality across the production lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field.
• 3–10 years of manufacturing process improvement experience.
• Strong Lean and CI knowledge (5S, Kaizen, RCA).
• Proficiency with Excel and ERP systems; JD Edwards is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes to improve safety, productivity, quality, throughput, and cost.
• Identify bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support on the factory floor.
• Lead Lean and CI initiatives using 5S, Kaizen, RCA, and process mapping.
• Develop and improve SOPs and standardized processes.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Work with Quality to reduce defects and ensure product consistency.
• Analyze scrap, rework, yield, downtime data to identify root causes and opportunities.
• Support cost reductions and capital projects including new equipment assessment and validation.
• Assist with plant layout changes, line improvements, and workflow optimization.
• Track KPIs like productivity and downtime and present findings to leadership.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

5S

Kaizen

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

JD Edwards

Job description

Upside Search is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to improve our client's manufacturing operations on the shop floor in Virginia. The role focuses on process optimization, productivity, quality, waste reduction, equipment performance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include analyzing processes, removing bottlenecks, supporting maintenance, and leading Lean initiatives to drive measurable gains in efficiency and product quality across the production lines.