Location: Houston Department: DEPENG
The Opportunity The Senior Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence Engineer is responsible for leading enterprise-wide process improvement, standardization, and operational excellence initiatives across the organization. This role serves as a senior technical and change leadership resource for identifying improvement opportunities, standardizing business processes, reducing variation, improving process capability, eliminating waste, strengthening operational discipline, and driving measurable business results. The position partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Project teams, and functional leaders to deploy Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and other structured problem-solving methods that improve quality, delivery, cost, safety, operational performance, and customer experience.
What you will do? - Lead enterprise continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives focused on process standardization, waste reduction, productivity improvement, defect reduction, improved flow, and sustainable operational performance across functions, sites, and business processes.
- Use Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, RCA, DMAIC, Kaizen, value stream mapping, process mapping, standard work, visual management, mistake-proofing, control plans, and statistical problem-solving tools to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and verify effectiveness.
- Partner with enterprise leaders and cross-functional teams to identify high-impact continuous improvement and operational excellence opportunities aligned to business priorities, customer experience, cost of poor quality, process reliability, throughput, and operational risk reduction.
- Lead complex problem-solving efforts for recurring quality, manufacturing, engineering, supplier, project, or field issues by facilitating structured 8D and RCA activities, ensuring actions address systemic causes and prevent recurrence.
- Develop, deploy, and sustain standardized processes, tools, templates, metrics, governance routines, and best practices across the enterprise to reduce variation and improve consistency of execution.
- Facilitate Kaizen events, improvement workshops, process reviews, and cross-functional working sessions; ensure teams define clear problem statements, current-state conditions, target outcomes, owners, timelines, and measurable results.
- Analyze process performance data, defect trends, rework drivers, cycle time, yield, audit findings, cost of poor quality, and operational metrics to prioritize improvement work and quantify financial and operational impact.
- Coach leaders, process owners, and team members on continuous improvement methods, structured problem-solving, Lean thinking, Six Sigma tools, and sustainment practices to build organizational capability.
- Train and mentor Green Belt candidates and other employees on Six Sigma methodology, Lean principles, 8D, RCA, DMAIC, process mapping, data analysis, control plans, and practical improvement tools.
- Establish project charters, benefit tracking, control plans, dashboards, and implementation plans to ensure improvement initiatives deliver measurable results and remain sustained after project closure.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
- 7+ years of experience leading continuous improvement, operational excellence, quality improvement, manufacturing improvement, or enterprise process improvement initiatives in a complex operational environment.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required.
- Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and mentor Green Belt candidates and cross-functional teams on Six Sigma methodology, Lean tools, 8D, RCA, DMAIC, process mapping, data analysis, and sustained control methods.
- Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, RCA, DMAIC, Kaizen, value stream mapping, process mapping, standard work, visual management, mistake-proofing, FMEA, control plans, process capability, statistical analysis, and performance management tools.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional improvement projects from problem definition through implementation, control, benefit realization, and sustainment.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data, identify trends, quantify business impact, and convert insights into practical improvement plans.
- Excellent facilitation, communication, coaching, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders, process owners, and frontline teams to drive alignment and accountability without direct authority.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience supporting process standardization and continuous improvement across multiple sites, functions, or enterprise-level business processes preferred.
- Knowledge of ERP systems, construction tools, and commissioning tools or platforms preferred.
How we support you We believe your best work happens when you feel supported - professionally, personally, and financially. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive, stay healthy, and plan for the future.
- Performance-driven rewards • Competitive pay with incentive opportunities that recognize your results and contributions.
- Comprehensive healthcare • Medical, dental, and vision coverage that supports you and your family's total well-being.
- Security and peace of mind • Life and disability insurance programs that provide protection when it matters most.
- Flexible benefits options • A variety of voluntary benefits so you can personalize coverage to fit your needs.
- Time to recharge • Generous paid time off to relax, travel, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Investing in your growth • Education assistance and tuition support to help you build skills and advance your career.
- Planning for the future • Retirement and savings programs that help you achieve long-term financial confidence.
