Manufacturing Systems Improvement Engineer

Chicago, IL / Tempe, AZ / Boulder, CO / Cincinnati, OH / Detroit, MI / Gastonia, NCUSA – Operations - Engineering /Full Time /HybridWho are we looking for…?We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Manufacturing Systems Improvement Engineer to improve the safety, reliability, throughput, maintainability, and operational consistency of medical waste treatment facilities across the United States.This is a field-oriented engineering role. The successful candidate will spend more than 50% of their working time in operating facilities, partnering directly with operations and maintenance personnel to understand equipment limitations, identify improvement opportunities, develop practical solutions, and verify results after implementation.The ideal candidate combines mechanical design, industrial equipment knowledge, process improvement, electrical and controls awareness, and strong project-execution skills. They are comfortable working on the plant floor, translating operational issues into engineered solutions, coordinating vendors and internal stakeholders, and traveling to support deployment of successful improvements across multiple facilities.Travel within the United States is required to support site assessments, equipment installations, commissioning, troubleshooting, training, and network-wide rollout of standardized improvements.Role Overview:The Manufacturing Systems Improvement Engineer owns the development and execution of engineered improvements to plant equipment, material flow, operating processes, and supporting facility systems.The role is responsible for turning frontline operational observations, downtime data, maintenance feedback, safety concerns, and capacity constraints into practical, scalable solutions. These solutions may include equipment redesigns, new equipment additions, modifications to material-handling systems, improved controls and automation, plant-layout changes, process standardization, and upgrades to utilities or supporting infrastructure.This position works from concept through implementation: observing operations in the field; defining requirements; developing designs and business cases; coordinating fabrication, vendors, contractors, and internal teams; supporting installation and commissioning; and measuring sustained performance after deployment.Success in this role is measured by demonstrable, site-level improvements in equipment reliability, safety, capacity, labor efficiency, operating consistency, and reduction of recurring maintenance or process issues.What you will do:Spend more than 50% of working time in operating facilities, observing processes, engaging with operators and maintenance personnel, assessing equipment condition, identifying and implementing improvement opportunities.Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve equipment reliability, safety, throughput, ergonomics, maintainability, material flow, labor efficiency, and regulatory compliance.Develop practical equipment redesigns, retrofits, fixtures, guarding, material-handling improvements, automation concepts, and equipment additions to address recurring operational challenges.Lead engineering work from concept through field implementation, including site assessments, requirements development, preliminary design, detailed design, cost estimates, vendor coordination, installation support, commissioning, and post-implementation verification.Analyze production constraints, operating practices, and process data to identify root causes and develop permanent corrective actions.Partner closely with operations, maintenance, and safety teams to ensure proposed solutions are safe, practical to operate, maintainable, and aligned with site needs.Support improvements to autoclaves, boilers, shredders, conveyors, compactors, utility systems, controls, and other medical waste treatment equipment.Develop scopes of work, technical specifications, equipment-selection criteria, drawings, and supporting documentation for internally executed work and outside vendors or contractors.Coordinate and oversee vendors, fabricators, contractors, and equipment suppliers during design, installation, startup, and troubleshooting activities.Requirements/Skills & Qualifications:Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.Experience:5+ years in in industrial manufacturing, automation, equipment design, maintenance engineering, or capital-project environments.Demonstrated experience taking equipment or process improvements from concept through installation, startup, and sustained operation in an active industrial facility.Experience working directly with plant operations, maintenance teams, equipment vendors, fabricators, contractors, and external service providers.Knowledge of: Autoclave, pressure vessel systems, and industrial steam boiler operations preferredTechnical Skills:Ability to evaluate industrial equipment and processes and develop practical mechanical, electrical, controls, layout, or operational improvements.Proficiency with CAD tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar software for layouts, equipment modifications, fabrication drawings, and design concepts.Working knowledge of mechanical design, fabrication methods, machine safety, guarding, industrial utilities, material handling, and maintainability principles.Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motors, drives, sensors, instrumentation, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial control systems.Ability to develop equipment specifications, scopes of work, cost estimates, and capital-improvement justifications.Familiarity with root-cause analysis, reliability improvement, failure-mode thinking, and continuous-improvement methods.Experience with PLC/HMI programming, data acquisition, industrial IoT, and industrial networking protocols, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and OPC, is preferredCharacter Competencies:Field Engagement & Practical Problem Solving — Learns how work is actually performed, respects operations input, and develops solutions that work in real operating conditions.Engineering Innovation & Design Ownership — Generates practical ideas, evaluates alternatives, and develops equipment or process improvements from concept through implementation.Execution & Results Orientation — Drives projects to completion, removes obstacles, validates results, and ensures improvements deliver sustained operational value.Systems Thinking — Understands the interaction among equipment, operators, maintenance practices, controls, utilities, safety, material flow, and facility constraints.Collaboration & Influence — Builds credibility with site teams, communicates technical concepts clearly, and aligns stakeholders around workable solutions.Standardization & Scalability — Documents successful improvements and adapts them for effective use across multiple facilities.Special Requirements:Must be available for travel in the USA to support all sites, as needed.$90,199 - $110,109 a yearActual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. The total compensation package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, benefits, and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.