Continuous Improvement Engineer

Job Title: Continuous Improvement EngineerJob DescriptionThe Continuous Improvement Engineer plays a hands-on leadership role on the manufacturing floor, working closely with Operations leadership, supervisors, and production teams to design and execute a lean roadmap. This position focuses on improving material and information flow, optimizing layouts and processes, leading Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives, and coaching teams to sustain measurable gains in throughput, lead time, quality, and daily performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive lean improvement roadmap across operations that supports current production demands, future capacity requirements, and facility growth plans.
• Evaluate 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.
• Improve facility layouts, workstations, staging areas, material routes, point-of-use storage, kitting, and replenishment processes to enhance flow and reduce waste.
• Conduct time studies, capacity analysis, work sequencing, and workload balancing to improve throughput and schedule attainment.
• Partner with Engineering, Planning, Purchasing, and Quality to improve production readiness, BOM and drawing handoffs, engineering change processes, and recurring material shortage issues.
• Develop clear work instructions, visual standards, and standardized processes that support consistent execution on the manufacturing floor.
• Strengthen daily management practices through gemba walks, visual performance metrics, escalation processes, and action tracking.
• Coach supervisors and manufacturing teams on lean manufacturing principles, value stream mapping, Kaizen, plant layout optimization, and continuous improvement methods.
• Observe both facilities in the first 30 days, listen to employees, map priority flows, establish baseline measures, and agree with Operations on the highest-value opportunities before launching initial improvements.
• Within days 3160, implement priority changes with defined owners, standard work, and employee training; establish a visible improvement backlog and begin measuring results in selected pilot areas.
• Within days 6190, demonstrate measurable progress against agreed baselines, verify adoption of changes, present the next phase of the lean roadmap, and set targets with leadership after validating operating conditions and data.
• Ensure ongoing success by driving sustained gains in throughput and schedule attainment, shorter lead times, fewer defects and shortages, improved material flow, and stronger supervisor ownership of daily improvement, while preserving safety and product quality.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience implementing lean or continuous improvement projects.
• Proven experience improving manufacturing flow and reducing lead time.
• 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 methods such as PDCA, A3, or 5 Whys.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and the ability to interpret drawings and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Ability to analyze capacity and develop practical changes to layouts, work methods, and material movement.
• Capability to conduct time studies, capacity analysis, and workload balancing.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain personal contributions, baseline conditions, and the impact of implemented improvements.
• Ability to coach and influence supervisors and manufacturing teams in lean and continuous improvement practices.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related field.
• Experience in automotive, electrical equipment, switchgear, control enclosures, or metal manufacturing, with exposure to fabrication, welding, machining, assembly, wiring, or testing.
• Background in facility startup or expansion, rapid production growth, new product introduction, layout planning, changeover reduction, or equipment reliability improvement.
• Experience with Oracle NetSuite or comparable ERP systems.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification supported by completed implementation work.

Work EnvironmentThe role is based fully onsite in a very clean, modern, and temperature-controlled manufacturing facility with an open-concept office environment. The company designs, fabricates, and assembles custom UL-listed electrical power products such as generator control switchgear, automatic and manual transfer switches, low and medium voltage switchboards and switchgear, quick connect cabinets, control panels, automation cabinets, and prefabricated electrical building solutions. The vertically integrated model supports custom-built equipment without reliance on multiple vendors, and all products are engineered and assembled in-house. The environment is characterized by ongoing investment in new equipment and processes, a focus on high-quality power distribution and control solutions, and collaboration across engineering, operations, and production teams. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Akron, OH. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $53.00 - $63.00/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) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Akron, OH. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 20, 2026. Workplace TypeThis 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.