Continuous Improvement Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

This hands-on Continuous Improvement Engineer role leads lean initiatives directly on the manufacturing floor while partnering closely with Operations leadership, supervisors, and production teams. The position identifies improvement opportunities across the value stream, develops and executes a lean roadmap, implements solutions in real time, and coaches teams to sustain measurable gains in throughput, lead time, quality, and material flow.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive lean improvement roadmap across operations that supports production demand, capacity requirements, and facility growth.
• Evaluate end-to-end material and information flow from engineering release and purchasing through fabrication, assembly, wiring, testing, and shipment to identify bottlenecks, delays, rework, and waste.
• Lead Kaizen events and continuous improvement projects using lean tools such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S, standard work, visual management, pull systems, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Improve facility layouts, workstations, staging areas, material routes, point-of-use storage, kitting processes, and replenishment methods to enhance flow and efficiency.
• Conduct detailed time studies, capacity analyses, work sequencing reviews, and workload balancing to increase throughput and optimize resource utilization.
• Partner with Engineering, Planning, Purchasing, and Quality to improve production readiness, BOM and drawing handoffs, engineering change processes, and resolution of recurring material shortages.
• Develop clear work instructions, visual standards, and standardized processes that support consistent, repeatable, and safe operations.
• Strengthen daily management practices through gemba walks, visual performance metrics, escalation processes, and structured action tracking.
• Coach supervisors and manufacturing teams on lean manufacturing principles, value stream mapping, Kaizen practices, plant layout optimization, continuous improvement methods, and time study techniques.
• Observe both facilities during the first 30 days, listen to employees, map priority flows, establish baseline measures, and align with Operations on the highest-value opportunities.
• Launch initial improvement initiatives within the first 30 days that are achievable and aligned with agreed priorities.

Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience implementing lean or continuous improvement projects.
• Proven experience improving manufacturing flow and reducing lead times in a production environment.
• Hands-on expertise with lean tools, including value stream mapping, standard work, visual management, 5S, Kaizen, material flow optimization, and structured root-cause problem solving such as PDCA, A3, or 5 Whys.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes with the ability to interpret engineering drawings and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Ability to analyze capacity and develop practical changes to layouts, work methods, and material movement.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and influence supervisors and manufacturing teams in lean and continuous improvement practices.
• Comfort working directly on the manufacturing floor in a hands-on, leadership-focused role.

Nice to Have

• Degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related field.
• Experience in automotive, electrical equipment, switchgear, control enclosures, or metal manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to fabrication, welding, machining, assembly, wiring, or testing processes.
• Experience with facility startup or expansion, rapid production growth, new product introduction, layout planning, changeover reduction, or equipment reliability improvement.
• Familiarity with Oracle NetSuite or comparable ERP systems.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification supported by completed implementation work.
• Ability to clearly explain personal contributions to past improvement projects, including baseline conditions, actions taken, and measurable results.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Akron, OH.

The pay range for this position is $48.00 - $58.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Akron, OH.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Akron,OH.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.