Engineering Manager, Continuous Improvement

BraunAbility • Winamac, IN

1d

About The Position

About the Role The Engineering Manager, Continuous Improvement (CI) drives excellence across the Vehicle Engineering organization by leading complex problem solving, Agile project execution, VAVE cost-reduction initiatives, Portfolio feature development, and engineering support for WAV Commercial Bids—including the Full-Size Vehicle market. This role is ideal for a strong technical leader who thrives in a cross-functional environment, excels at process discipline, and is passionate about enabling teams to deliver high-quality, cost-effective vehicle engineering solutions.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, or Systems Engineering (M.S. preferred).
• 6+ years of vehicle engineering experience (WAV/automotive/mobility preferred).
• Strong background in CI methodologies (DMAIC, A3, 8D), preferred
• Experience implementing Agile in hardware or vehicle engineering environments, preferred
• Proven success in VAVE and/or cost-reduction initiatives, preferred
• Strong financial acumen (cost modeling, trade-off analysis, margin impact), preferred
• Familiarity with FMVSS, ADA, or related vehicle regulatory environments, preferred
• Leadership to include 5 years experience, required.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
• Agile certifications (PSM, PMI-ACP, SAFe)
• Experience in accessible vehicle engineering or complex conversion programs
• Proficiency with CAD/Inventor, PLM/Teamcenter, Jira, and data analysis tools

Responsibilities

• Lead the CI strategy for Vehicle Engineering, targeting improvements in quality, delivery, cost, and design robustness.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies including DMAIC, A3, 8D, and root-cause analysis tools.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, and structured problem-solving training.
• Facilitate kaizen events, value stream mapping, and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Implement and lead Agile practices (Scrum/Kanban) for engineering projects, CI initiatives, product enhancements, and bid development.
• Use Jira/Azure DevOps to manage backlogs, sprints, WIP limits, and burndown tracking.
• Improve engineering throughput, predictability, and visibility through disciplined Agile execution.
• Own the engineering deliverables for WAV Commercial Bids from RFQ through quote submission.
• Conduct technical feasibility reviews, define engineering requirements, and identify configuration needs.
• Create detailed engineering cost models (BOM, labor, tooling, validation, CapEx).
• Lead cross-functional sprint execution to ensure timely, accurate bid packages.
• Collaborate closely with Portfolio/Product Management to translate customer insights and market requirements into engineering specifications.
• Drive feasibility analysis, feature definition, prioritization, and technical implementation.
• Ensure full lifecycle traceability from concept → requirement → prototype → validation → production.
• Provide engineering input to portfolio roadmapping and feature business cases.
• Own the VAVE pipeline, including ideation, prioritization, cost-benefit analysis, and project execution.
• Lead cross-functional teams to identify and deliver cost-reduction opportunities across BOM, process, and design.
• Validate savings and ensure sustainable implementation using CI/DMAIC rigor.
• Work with Supply Chain to develop alternative components, materials, and manufacturing solutions.
• Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team skilled in CI, Agile execution, technical design, and structured problem solving.
• Set clear performance expectations, coach team members, and promote a culture of data-driven decision-making.
• Encourage continuous learning, collaboration, and transparent communication.
• Work closely with Program Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and Finance to ensure alignment across initiatives.
• Support Design-for-Manufacturing, cost management, warranty reduction, and launch readiness efforts.
• Provide clear communication and status updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure engineering change control (ECR/ECX), documentation, and configuration management discipline.
• Maintain audit-ready records and problem-solving artifacts.
• Enable compliance with applicable regulatory standards (e.g., FMVSS, ADA).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager