The Sloan, NV facility is in its second year of operation and scaling fast. This role is being built now, alongside the plant, not inherited into a mature structure. The Manufacturing Engineer, Continuous Improvement is a corporate strategic position. It is a corporate resource, and the methods, standards, and results it produces are held to corporate expectations and are intended to inform how Unimacts Global approaches continuous improvement more broadly. The role owns the identification, prioritization, and execution of process improvement initiatives across steel fabrication operations, combining hands-on manufacturing engineering with Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodology to drive measurable gains in productivity, quality, and cost across solar pile and galvanized tubing product lines. Success is measured by validated cost savings, OEE improvement, scrap reduction, and the sustainability of implemented changes.
Key Operational Expectations- Lead data analysis, interpretation and inference of key operational data metrics across all departments
- Conduct root cause analysis on quality defects, downtime, and scrap using DMAIC, 5-Why, and fishbone methods
- Develop systems and processes to digitalize on-ground operations in terms of inventory management, engineering and maintenance management
- Track OEE, scrap rate, cycle time, and cost-per-unit metrics, and build the improvement pipeline from data trends
- Apply 5S and visual management systems on the shop floor and audit sustainment after implementation
- Build the business case, financial justification, and ROI tracking for improvement projects and capital requests
- Train and coach production supervisors and operators on Lean tools and problem-solving methods
- Report savings, project status, and improvement roadmap to Plant Manager and leadership on a recurring cadence
- Spearhead all new projects and improvements in the plant
- Develop a technical and financial feasibility study for NPI (New Product Introduction) requests from customers
- Develop process automations for communication, workflow and optimize communication and information flow in the factory
- Propose chains of command, PFMEA and PFD for the most efficient state of operations
- Analyze common defects and work with Quality to ensure recurrence prevention in an engineering way
Decision AuthorityThis is a corporate strategic position. The role owns the continuous improvement pipeline end to end, from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment audit. The Plant Manager sets site priorities and capacity plans, while the role is accountable to corporate leadership for the quality of its methodology, the validity of its savings, and the sustainability of its results. This position is accountable for delivering validated results, not simply recommending changes. Budget authority for equipment and capital remains with the Plant Manager, but this role drives the technical justification, savings validation, and ROI analysis.
Cross-Functional Interfaces- Plant Manager: Improvement priority setting, capacity planning, capital project prioritization
- Production Supervisors: Kaizen participation, standard work deployment, sustainment of improvement changes
- Quality: Joint root cause analysis on defects, process validation, inspection criteria alignment
- Engineering & Maintenance: Equipment reliability data, downtime root cause, preventive maintenance alignment to process capability
- Inventory: Work with the inventory management team and analyze root cause(s) of data discrepancy, propose and implement corrective and preventive actions
- Operations: Minimize/eliminate waste in the plant to maximize streamlined process flow in the factory; develop SOPs, WI, best practices and resource optimization
Requirements- 5-7 years of manufacturing engineering or continuous improvement experience in steel fabrication, metal forming, or welding operations
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering (or a related engineering discipline); equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered
- Working knowledge of fabrication equipment (CNC cutting, press brake, welding cells, galvanizing lines)
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and weld symbols
- Demonstrated track record of leading Lean or Six Sigma projects with quantified cost, quality, or throughput results
- Proficiency in MS Dynamics or similar ERP systems, plus statistical analysis tools (Minitab or equivalent) for data-driven decision making
- Strong facilitation and influencing skills, with experience driving change through supervisors and operators who do not report to this role
- Hands-on problem solver comfortable spending the majority of the workday on the production floor
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification required; Black Belt preferred
- Must be able to lift 20 pounds with one hand
- Must work in extreme temperatures, cold and heat
- Stand 5-6 hours per day
- Stay on the production floor - this is not a desk job
