Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer

Stryker Corporation; Kalamazoo (MI); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stryker Corporation in Kalamazoo, MI, is seeking a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer to support manufacturing operations by analyzing processes and leading lean initiatives. You will drive measurable results across production systems through hands-on execution and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities include leading value stream mapping and kaizen events, designing future-state processes, reducing lead times and waste, and coaching teams on root cause analysis and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, continuous improvement, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supporting process improvement, operational excellence, or lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing certification preferred.
• Experience working in highly regulated manufacturing environments (e.g., medical device, pharmaceutical, aerospace).
• Experience leading value stream mapping, kaizen events, or productivity improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and co-facilitate value stream mapping workshops and kaizen events to identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Implement future-state process improvements that reduce lead times, changeover times, inventory levels, and other key lean metrics.
• Design and optimize material and workflow systems between manufacturing work cells to improve production flow and efficiency.
• Partner with Finance and operational teams to quantify, track, and report cost reduction and productivity improvement results.
• Coach and train employees on lean manufacturing principles and root cause analysis while executing improvement projects.

Skills

Value stream mapping

Kaizen events

Lean manufacturing

Process improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Work Flexibility: Onsite As a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will support manufacturing operations by analyzing processes, leading improvement initiatives, and driving measurable results across production systems. This position combines hands-on execution with cross-functional collaboration to optimize performance in a regulated manufacturing environment.

What You Will Do

• Lead and co-facilitate value stream mapping workshops and kaizen events to identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Implement future-state process improvements that reduce lead times, changeover times, inventory levels, and other key lean performance metrics.
• Design and optimize material and workflow systems between manufacturing work cells to improve production flow and efficiency.
• Partner with Finance and operational teams to quantify, track, and report cost reduction and productivity improvement results.
• Coach and train employees on lean manufacturing principles, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies while personally executing improvement projects.

What You Will Need

Required: Bachelor’s degree required.

Minimum 2 years of professional experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, continuous improvement, or a related field.

Minimum 2 years of experience supporting process improvement, operational excellence, or lean manufacturing initiatives.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Lean Manufacturing certification.

Experience working in a highly regulated industry such as medical device, pharmaceutical, aerospace, or similar manufacturing environments.

Experience leading value stream mapping, kaizen events, or productivity improvement projects.

Experience analyzing operational metrics and implementing process improvements that improve efficiency, quality, or cost performance.

United States of America Pay Ranges: $77,700 - $129,500 USD Annual Travel Percentage: 10%

Stryker Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Stryker is an EO employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability.

Stryker Corporation will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better. We offer innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. We are proud to be named one of the World’s Best Workplaces! For more information, visit: www.stryker.com

Work Flexibility Remote – Role allows you to work the majority to 100% of time from an alternate workplace. These roles could have travel expectations, and you must work within the country of the job requisition location. Field-based – You can expect to regularly work a majority to 100% of time at customer facilities and has a set territory or expectation to travel within a set boundary. Almost all sales roles would likely be qualified as field-based. Onsite – Role is 100% located at a Stryker facility. Some ad hoc flexibility may be available depending on role, level, and job requirements. Manufacturing roles and any role that requires physical presence at the office would qualify under this category. Hybrid – You can expect to regularly work in both an alternate workplace and a Stryker facility. Roles that are partially remote or co-located would qualify as hybrid, and the expectation to be onsite would be defined and agreed upon by your manager/supervisor.