Continuous Improvement Engineer

Oshkosh Corporation•Lyon Charter Township, MI

33d•$92,600 - $154,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement Engineer drives operational excellence across Pratt Miller's manufacturing operations by optimizing processes, systems, and tools to improve efficiency, quality, and compliance. This role plays a key part in evaluating and enhancing the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and its integration with ERP and PLM platforms—ensuring production data, material usage, and labor costs are accurately captured, tracked, and reported in alignment with program and regulatory requirements. Working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, and Product Engineering, the Specialist applies Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste, streamline workflows, and increase throughput. They assess current manufacturing and product release processes to identify system gaps and risks introduced by new contractual constraints, particularly those tied to Department of Defense (DoD) programs. Initially operating in a consultative capacity, the Specialist will evaluate existing processes and systems, identify deficiencies, and develop a roadmap to close compliance and efficiency gaps.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required due to work on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs; ability to obtain a security clearance.
Familiarity with defense manufacturing requirements, including configuration control, traceability, and data security.
Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, Excel, SQL) to support decision-making.
Understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, and ITAR/EAR compliance standards.
Strong analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate findings into actionable improvements.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills for working across functions and levels.
Exposure to Agile, OODA, or similar iterative improvement frameworks.
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Systems, or a related technical field required.
5+ years of experience in manufacturing process improvement, operations excellence, or systems integration (MES/ERP/PLM environments).
Demonstrated experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies (Green or Black Belt certification preferred).
Experience in discrete or complex assembly in Defense manufacturing environments.
Hands-on experience with MES, ERP (Sage, SAP, or similar), and PLM (Windchill, Teamcenter, or similar) systems.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects from assessment through implementation and sustainment.

Nice To Haves

Proven success leading Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvement initiatives in a production or assembly environment.
Experience designing closed-loop feedback systems that connect production data (MES) with engineering change control (PLM) and financial systems (ERP).
Knowledge of digital manufacturing transformation, system integration, and data governance.

Responsibilities

Lead system and process improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations, aligning MES, ERP, and PLM tools to meet DoD and program-specific requirements.
Assess, design, and implement future-state workflows that integrate Lean principles, digital tools, and data-driven feedback to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and traceability.
Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, Supply Chain, and IT to drive system alignment, process standardization, and data integrity.
Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives, including Kaizen events, root cause analyses, and Lean/Six Sigma projects to improve production performance, safety, and quality.
Develop and implement standardized work procedures, visual management systems, and control plans to sustain process gains and ensure consistent execution.
Optimize material flow, equipment utilization, and cycle time in collaboration with production and engineering teams.
Develop and maintain performance dashboards and visual management tools to communicate progress and sustain improvements.
Support ISO and internal audit activities, ensuring compliance with documentation and continuous improvement standards.
Participate in supplier or process audits and assist in resolving quality or process control issues.
Coach and mentor team members in Lean and Six Sigma tools, fostering a culture of ownership, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Manage multiple CI projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, production schedules, and strategic priorities.
Present findings, updates, and recommendations to leadership through clear, data-supported communication.