Operational Excellence Engineer

Trident Systems, Inc.

$59K — $110K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business or related field
  • 2+ years leading or facilitating process improvement projects
  • Strong facilitation and communication skills for influencing teams
  • Proficient in analytical and problem-solving techniques
  • Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio
  • Capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines
  • Able to work independently without direct supervision

Responsibilities

  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies
  • Partner with leaders to identify process improvement opportunities
  • Facilitate cross-functional meetings and workshops to maintain project momentum
  • Define project objectives, timelines, and outcomes
  • Document current and future state processes with process maps
  • Track project progress and communicate updates to stakeholders
  • Analyze operational data to measure improvements and validate results
  • Support change management activities through effective communication and training
  • Ensure transition of completed projects to departmental owners with proper documentation
  • Coach teams on continuous improvement principles
  • Contribute to operational excellence standards and best practices
  • Identify standardization opportunities to boost efficiency

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision
  • Paid time off and designated holidays
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
  • Generous parental and military leave options
  • Potential for annual discretionary bonuses
Full Job Description
Position Title: Operational Excellence Engineer
Requisition ID: 1817
Position Location: Fairfax, VA OR Sterling, VA
Position Reports To: Manager, Operational Efficiency
Supervises Others: No

Position Summary

The Operational Excellence Process Engineer is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across the organization by partnering with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, facilitate process improvement projects, and implement sustainable operational solutions. This role serves as a coach and facilitator, guiding teams through structured improvement methodologies while ensuring project objectives, timelines, and deliverables are clearly defined and successfully executed.

This is an individual contributor role with no direct supervisory responsibilities. Success in this position requires strong collaboration, project facilitation, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other operational excellence methodologies.
  • Partner with departmental leaders to identify process improvement opportunities that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction.
  • Facilitate cross-functional meetings, workshops, and project teams to drive consensus and maintain project momentum.
  • Define project scope, objectives, timelines, milestones, risks, and expected business outcomes.
  • Document current-state and future-state processes using process maps, value stream maps, and standard work documentation.
  • Track project progress, maintain project documentation, and communicate status updates to stakeholders and leadership.
  • Collect and analyze operational data to identify trends, measure improvements, and validate project results.
  • Support change management activities, including stakeholder engagement, communication, and training as new processes are implemented.
  • Ensure successful transition of completed improvement projects to departmental owners by developing documentation, performance measures, and sustainability plans.
  • Coach employees and project teams on continuous improvement principles and problem-solving techniques.
  • Participate in the development and maintenance of operational excellence standards, tools, and best practices.
  • Identify opportunities to standardize processes across departments and improve organizational efficiency.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business or related field.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience leading or facilitating process improvement projects
  • Strong facilitation and communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio or other process mapping software.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
  • Ability to execute tasks independently.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Lean or Six Sigma Certification
  • Experience with project management methodologies and tools.
  • Experience working within manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or other operational environments.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems and operational performance metrics.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $59,000 - $110,000

Please Note: Actual compensation offered will be determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, internal equity, business considerations, and geographic location where applicable.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:
  • Health benefits
    • Medical
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Basic life with AD&D
    • Short-term disability
    • Long term disability
    • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
    • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
  • Paid time off
  • Holidays
  • 401(k) (including company match)
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
  • Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

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