Principal Engineer, Master Black Belt

ZT Systems; Secaucus (NJ); On-site; USD 141,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus eligibility

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

ZT Systems seeks a Principal Engineer, Master Black Belt to lead enterprise-wide quality and operational excellence across our high-performance, liquid-cooled servers and manufacturing processes.

You will drive continuous improvement, mentor belts, and collaborate with design, manufacturing, and supplier teams to embed data-driven decision making that improves yield, reliability, and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• MBA or exposure to business, finance or economics is advantageous.
• 10–15 years of experience in high-volume, high-complexity manufacturing with at least 5 years in leadership or transformation roles.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
• Proficiency with data-driven tools such as Minitab, JMP, Python, R, SQL to analyze large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Lead transformation initiatives and set new standards for manufacturing risk analysis, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Define and implement new systems, processes, or frameworks supporting the smart factory vision, including automation and predictive analytics.
• Leverage data-rich environments to generate insights that improve yield, reliability, and throughput.
• Collaborate across design, quality, manufacturing, test, and supplier engineering to drive integrated solutions.
• Translate PFMEA and related outputs into actionable process controls and preventive measures.
• Coach Black Belts and Green Belts to develop technical skills and project execution excellence.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision making across the organization.
• Lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex operational issues and sustain performance gains.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt

Communication

Leadership

Coaching

Education

MBA (advantageous)

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Python

R

SQL

Job description

About The Role

The Principal Engineer, Master Black Belt will lead enterprise-wide quality and operational excellence initiatives across our high-performance, liquid-cooled server products and related manufacturing processes. The Principal Engineer, Master Black Belt will drive continuous improvement, mentor Black Belts and Green Belts, and ensure the highest levels of product reliability and operational performance, while maintaining critical business metrics such as customer delivery, cost efficiency, and process effectiveness. The role requires influencing cross-functional teams, embedding a data-driven, quality-focused culture, and aligning improvement initiatives with organizational strategy.

The Principal Engineer, Master Black Belt will lead enterprise-wide quality and operational excellence initiatives across our high-performance, liquid-cooled server products and related manufacturing processes. The Principal Engineer, Master Black Belt will drive continuous improvement, mentor Black Belts and Green Belts, and ensure the highest levels of product reliability and operational performance, while maintaining critical business metrics such as customer delivery, cost efficiency, and process effectiveness. The role requires influencing cross-functional teams, embedding a data-driven, quality-focused culture, and aligning improvement initiatives with organizational strategy.

What You Will Do

• Lead or contribute to transformation initiatives, helping set new standards for how ZT approaches manufacturing risk analysis, quality, and continuous improvement.


• Define and implement new systems, processes, or frameworks that support the smart factory vision, including automation, metrology, advanced inspection and testing, and predictive analytics.


• Leverage deep, data-rich environments and tools to generate insights that improve yield, reliability, and throughput.


• Collaborate across design, quality, manufacturing, test, and supplier engineering to drive solutions that integrate seamlessly into production.


• Apply advanced statistical and analytical methods to identify, quantify, and control risk in complex manufacturing environments.


• Translate DFM and PFMEA outputs into actionable process controls, ensuring proactive prevention of variation rather than reactive correction.


• Coach and mentor Black Belts and Green Belts to develop technical skills, leadership capabilities, and project execution excellence.


• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making across all levels of the organization.


• Lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex operational issues and implement enterprise-level improvement initiatives.


• Define, monitor, and analyze key operational and quality metrics to drive continuous improvement and sustain performance gains.


• Establish and standardize Lean Six Sigma methodologies and best practices across the organization to ensure consistent application and continuous improvement.

What You Bring

• MBA or exposure to business, finance or economics is advantageous.


• 10–15 years of experience in high-volume, high-complexity manufacturing, with at least 5 years in leadership or transformation roles (not necessarily people management).


• Demonstrated expertise in statistical and analytical methods such as regression analysis, correlation analysis, DOE, SPC, PFMEA, Gauge R&R, and commonality studies.


• Proficiency with data-driven tools such as Minitab, JMP, Python, R, SQL (or equivalent) to analyze and interpret large, complex datasets.


• Track record of driving measurable improvements in yield, reliability, or process robustness.


• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at both executive and technical levels.


• Background in electronics assembly, PCBA, servers, or other high-reliability industries (e.g., aerospace, medical devices, automotive, etc.).


• Experience coaching or mentoring technical teams to upskill in data-driven decision-making.


• Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.

Nice to Haves

• Exposure to or knowledge of AI/ML toolsets for statistical problem solving, predictive analytics, or anomaly detection.


• Proven success driving enterprise-level quality or operational excellence programs.


• ISO 9000 / ISO 9001 familiarity — knowledge of quality management systems.


• MBA or exposure to business, finance or economics is advantageous.


• Experience leading across a variety of functions.

ZT Systems assesses market data to ensure a competitive compensation package is created for all our employees. The typical base salary for this position is expected to be between $141,000 and $ 188,000 annually. If hired, the final base salary will be determined on an individual basis taking into consideration experience, skills, knowledge, education and/or certifications. Base salary is just one component of ZT Systems total rewards philosophy. We take pride in offering a wide range of benefits and perks that appeal to the variety of needs across our diverse employee base. Other rewards may include bonus, paid time off, generous 401k match, tuition reimbursement, wellbeing resources, and more.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

About ZT Systems

At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, you’ll get to do work you are proud of alongside smart, passionate people. Every day, there are opportunities to collaborate with the best in the industry to design, build, and deliver impactful solutions to world‑class customers. Along the way, you will gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced environment that’s challenging, rewarding, and career‑defining. A culture built around our values we work hard and think fast. We view challenges as opportunities—to do better, push harder, and be faster than we were the day before. When we fail, we learn from it and move on together. And when we succeed, we use the momentum to go even further. We create value with everything we do, building the foundation of today—and transforming the future of tomorrow.

Join ZT Systems and help us build technology infrastructure that connects the world.

What We Offer

Compensation & Financial Security

• Competitive base salary


• Performance‑based annual bonus eligibility


• 401(k) retirement savings plan


• Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers


• Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs


• Company‑paid life and disability insurance

Time Away & Work‑Life Balance

• Paid time off (PTO) and company‑paid holidays


• Parental leave and family care support programs

Growth & Purpose

• Structured training programs and on‑the‑job learning opportunities


• Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about

These benefits are available to eligible employees and are designed to grow with you as your career evolves. Full benefits and eligibility varies by work location. Learn more about our benefits here.

ZT Group Int’l. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ZT Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Please be aware that certain positions may require the applicant to either 1) be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or 2) be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science & U.S. Department of Commerce. All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the foregoing.

• 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.


• 1158, or 2) be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science & U.S. Department of Commerce. All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the foregoing.