Operational Excellence Engineer – Lean & Data-Driven Biotech

BioSpace; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time-off

401(k) with employer match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Mindfulness programs

Job summary

GRAIL, a healthcare company pioneering early cancer detection, seeks an Engineer, Operational Excellence to drive Lean initiatives and SPC/QC improvements within Durham, NC operations. The role blends data analysis, process engineering, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability across lab/workflow systems.

The successful candidate will have a data-driven mindset, Lean/Six Sigma expertise, and a track record of delivering measurable improvements in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in process engineering, operations, or continuous improvement roles, ideally in biotech, diagnostics, or manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies (certification a plus).
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI).
• Familiarity with SPC/QC tools and statistical analysis techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Operational Data & Reporting
• Support generation and automation of KPI reporting, ensuring data integrity and usability
• Collaborate with stakeholders to refine metrics and improve visibility into operational performance
• Process Analysis & Monitoring
• Perform data exploration and statistical analysis to identify trends, variation, and potential process deviations
• Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Quality Control (QC) methods to monitor and improve process stability
• Continuous Improvement Execution
• Execute and support Lean initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen events, and Six Sigma projects
• Partner with operations teams to pilot, measure, and scale process improvements
• Issue Tracking & Prioritization Support
• Capture and document operational issues, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Support prioritization of improvement efforts in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Software, and Product teams to implement process improvements

Skills

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Data analysis

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

Excel

SQL

Python

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

GRAIL, a healthcare company pioneering early cancer detection, seeks an Engineer, Operational Excellence to drive Lean initiatives and SPC/QC improvements within Durham, NC operations. The role blends data analysis, process engineering, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability across lab/workflow systems.

The successful candidate will have a data-driven mindset, Lean/Six Sigma expertise, and a track record of delivering measurable improvements in