Continuous Improvement Engineer at LISI Aerospace in Garden Grove, CA

SUMMARY:

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for leading and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and supporting functions to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and operational efficiency.

This position serves as a dedicated Lean resource for the facility and will identify improvement opportunities, facilitate structured Kaizen events, lead cross-functional teams, analyze processes and performance data, and implement sustainable improvements.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, HSE, and other departments to establish a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement. The position requires strong leadership, facilitation, analytical, and communication skills, including the ability to present project opportunities, progress, and results to senior management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation for disabilities may be made for one or more of the following:

· Lead the site's continuous improvement activities and support the development and execution of the facility's Lean strategy.

· Plan, organize, and facilitate Kaizen events, including structured multi-day/5-day team-based process improvement events.

· Lead cross-functional teams through identification of problems, root-cause analysis, development of countermeasures, implementation, and follow-up.

· Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, lead time, inventory, and operational efficiency.

· Apply Lean methodologies and tools including 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Visual Management, Gemba, waste elimination, flow, pull systems, root-cause analysis, PDCA, and problem-solving methodologies.

· Conduct process observations, time studies, workflow analysis, capacity analysis, and other evaluations to identify waste, constraints, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.

· Develop current-state and future-state process maps and implementation plans.

· Facilitate improvement workshops involving employees from Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, HSE, and other functional areas.

· Establish clear project objectives, scope, timelines, responsibilities, and measurable performance targets.

· Develop business cases for improvement initiatives, including expected labor, material, productivity, capacity, and cost savings.

· Quantify, track, validate, and report the financial and operational impact of continuous improvement projects.

· Develop and maintain continuous improvement project dashboards, action plans, metrics, and other tracking systems.

· Monitor completed improvement projects to ensure improvements are sustained and expected results are achieved.

· Partner with department leaders to establish appropriate KPIs and identify opportunities based on operational performance.

· Coach and train employees and leaders in Lean principles, structured problem solving, waste identification, and continuous improvement tools.

· Encourage employee participation in continuous improvement and help develop a culture in which employees actively identify and implement improvements.

· Support the development and implementation of standard work following process improvements.

· Present project proposals, progress, challenges, results, and recommendations to senior management.

· Communicate effectively with employees at all organizational levels, from production employees to executive leadership.

· Partner with Engineering and Operations on equipment, automation, layout, workflow, and manufacturing-process improvement initiatives.

· Support capital improvement projects by identifying expected operational benefits and assisting with post-implementation measurement.

· Benchmark processes and identify best practices that may be implemented across the organization.

· Perform other continuous improvement and operational excellence responsibilities as assigned.

Ways of working, Experience, and Behaviors

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

· Analytical - Synthesizes semi-complex and diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses experience to complement data; understands the work flows and procedures

· Technical Skills – Technical skills in manufacturing processes and methods; Able to write and interpret work methods and train others in those methods. Articulate and present basic concepts in LEAN manufacturing; able to create summaries, reports, and charts in order to analyze data. Possesses a willingness to learn and understand new concepts.

· Oral and Written Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; actively listens intently to others and seeks clarification; Provides clear and concise responses to inquires regardless of the situation; effectively communicates in large group presentations; Participates in management meetings.

· Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Places success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of team members.

· Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Aligns work with strategic goals.

· Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.

· Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

· Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities of self and others; Uses time efficiently; Plans for resources in a creative way only adding cost as absolutely necessary; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.

· Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer will, however, be expected to lead and facilitate cross-functional project teams and provide direction to team members during Kaizen events and other continuous improvement initiatives.

ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education and/or Experience

· Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related engineering discipline required.

· Minimum 2–5 years of manufacturing, engineering, Lean, or continuous improvement experience preferred.

· Demonstrated experience applying Lean manufacturing principles in a production environment.

· Experience participating in and preferably leading/facilitating Kaizen events required.

· Experience leading cross-functional teams and improvement projects strongly preferred.

· Aerospace, automotive, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing experience preferred.

· Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean certification, or equivalent continuous improvement training preferred.

· Experience with project management and financial/cost-savings analysis preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

· Strong working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and methodologies.

· Ability to independently plan and facilitate Kaizen events from preparation through implementation and follow-up.

· Strong knowledge of process improvement and structured problem-solving techniques.

· Ability to analyze manufacturing processes and translate observations and data into actionable improvements.

· Ability to lead teams without having direct supervisory authority over team members.

· Strong facilitation skills and ability to engage employees with different technical backgrounds and levels of responsibility.

· Strong analytical and data-analysis skills.

· Ability to calculate and communicate productivity improvements, cost savings, capacity improvements, and other project benefits.

· Strong project-management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

· Strong presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate findings and recommendations to senior and executive management.

· Ability to challenge existing processes constructively and influence change across functional areas.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other business applications.

· Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing data systems preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND ,SAFETY

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The employee will work in both office and manufacturing environments and will frequently spend time on the manufacturing floor observing processes, collecting data, facilitating improvement activities, and working directly with production employees.

The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, communicate, and use hands to operate computers and other equipment. The employee may occasionally be required to bend, kneel, reach, or lift and/or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

The manufacturing environment may involve moderate to high noise levels and require appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, and safety footwear.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Safety and Environmental

Participate in the development and promotion of the HSE culture

Be exemplary in terms of health, safety and the environment, in particular by :

- Respecting and ensuring respect for the instructions and rules established in the field of health, safety and the environment (in particular the LISI golden rules)

- Immediately correcting, whenever possible, or reporting to his or her superiors and/or the HSE department, any malfunction or risky situation in the fields of health, safety and environmental protection

- Implementing preventive actions to reduce the environmental footprint and control health and safety risks

Participate, upon request, in analyses (of risks, incidents) and HSE working groups related to his/her professional scope

Be familiar with the main health and safety risks and the main environmental impacts relating to the scope of his/her work

Be familiar with the site's HSE policy and objectives

To be able to make proposals for improving working conditions and limiting environmental impact

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 3 years (Preferred)
• Engineering: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person