Are you energized by solving complex manufacturing challenges, improving processes, and leading continuous improvement initiatives? At GE Appliances, we're looking for a Senior Process Improvement Engineer who is passionate about optimizing production performance, driving operational excellence, and developing innovative solutions that make a measurable impact.

In this highly visible role, you'll serve as the technical leader for a manufacturing value stream, partnering with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Advanced Manufacturing teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. You'll have the opportunity to influence plant-wide initiatives, implement advanced manufacturing solutions, and help build a culture of continuous improvement.
Position
Senior Process Improvement Engineer - Door Line
Location
USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

Lead Equipment Reliability & Performance

• Own manufacturing equipment and tooling within your production area following Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) handoff.
• Serve as the primary technical expert for troubleshooting and resolving manufacturing process issues.
• Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), uptime, and productivity.
• Develop and audit preventive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability.
• Partner closely with Maintenance and Operations teams to prioritize repairs and improvement activities.
• Manage equipment calibration, specialized tooling, and process documentation.
• Provide technical input on future equipment purchases, upgrades, and manufacturing standards.

Drive Process Improvement & Manufacturing Excellence

• Ensure manufacturing processes comply with established Manufacturing Control Plans (MCP) and production standards.
• Analyze production data, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Partner with Quality and Operations teams to improve OEE, yield, scrap reduction, and customer quality metrics.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts to quickly resolve production issues.
• Develop and maintain standard work, job instructions, and process documentation.
• Utilize data-driven decision making to optimize manufacturing performance.

Champion Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Promote and teach Appliance Performance System (APS) principles and Lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and increase productivity.
• Implement mistake-proofing (Poka-Yoke) solutions and workstation improvements.
• Support line balancing activities and workforce optimization using Lean tools and methodologies.
• Share best practices across manufacturing operations to drive enterprise-wide improvements.

Advance Safety & Compliance

• Identify and implement safety improvements within the manufacturing area.
• Support corrective actions resulting from safety audits, near misses, ergonomic assessments, and incident investigations.
• Develop and maintain Lockout/Tagout procedures for manufacturing equipment.
• Partner with Operations leaders to foster a strong safety culture.

Support New Product Introductions (NPI)

• Collaborate with Advanced Manufacturing Engineering on new equipment installations and qualifications.
• Provide critical plant feedback during product development and launch activities.
• Evaluate new product designs for manufacturability and production readiness.
• Participate in prototype builds, product trials, and launch activities.
• Support capacity planning, workstation design, standard work development, and process documentation.
• Work with suppliers, OEMs, and engineering teams to ensure successful equipment integration and knowledge transfer.

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline OR equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in Manufacturing Engineering/Operations/Quality support roles OR equivalent military experience.
• Experience with troubleshooting robotic manufacturing equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting high volume manufacturing equipment.
• Proven ability to influence and drive change.
• Experience in high volume manufacturing environment.
• Solid verbal/written communication skills coupled with strong interpersonal skills.
• Advanced computer skills - high proficiency in Microsoft products (especially Excel) and ability to grasp new systems quickly.
• Strong project management and analytical/problem solving skills with demonstrated ability to scope and analyze cross-functional problems to generate/implement solutions.
• Must have experience applying time studies and/or standard work.
• Ability to manage changing and competing priorities.
• Early and/or late hours often required to work around the manufacturing schedule / timing.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment with both hourly and salary personnel to meet the needs of business.
• High initiative, self-starter, proactive, dedicated, results oriented, a team player.

Preferred Qualifications
• Knowledge of Appliances manufacturing processes.
• Experience in Robotics, Controls, PMs, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatics, laser and welding techniques.
• Experience and training in lean manufacturing practices.
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Quality Leadership experience.
• Program Management skills.

Working Environment:
• You will work in an office and manufacturing environment.
• Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
• Travel may be required for domestic and/or international travel to other sites/plants, etc.