Industrial Engineer, Continuous Improvement

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

About The Position

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them. We are seeking an experienced Industrial Engineer, Continuous Improvement to join our team. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, is skilled at embedding Lean Manufacturing into every process, and is motivated by building efficient systems from the ground up. The Industrial Engineer, Continuous Improvement is both a technical expert and a leader, able to conduct time studies, leverage AI and digital tools, manage KPI dashboards, and guide teams through Lean Manufacturing training and problem-solving. Above all, we want someone who is passionate about driving process excellence, building capability in others, and shaping the culture of a new manufacturing organization. This role is a unique opportunity to help build and refine world-class manufacturing.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field is required.
5+ years of Industrial Engineering experience in an automotive and/or manufacturing environment.
Proven track record in Lean Manufacturing implementation, process optimization, and plant launch activities.
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt is required.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced automotive development environment.
Ability to align maps with KPI dashboards for tracking.
Excellent communication and cross functional collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively influence teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Must have the ability to travel (up to 10%).
Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree is preferred.
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is preferred.
Start-up experience is desirable, but not required.
Proficiency with VISIO and Minitab is preferred.

Responsibilities

Slate Production System (SPS) Development & Optimization Lead workstation layouts, process standards, and material flow strategies across assembly and production areas.
Establish takt time, line balance, and ergonomic best practices to ensure efficiency and safety.
Conduct time studies and work measurements to validate cycle times and improve efficiency.
Assist in PFMEA, control plans, and standardized work documentation to ensure robust launch readiness.
Lean Training Implementation & Coordination Lead Kaizen workshops and continuous improvement projects to reduce waste and improve throughput.
Facilitate hands-on training sessions, including onboarding sessions, coordinate training schedules with supervisors and department leads.
Champion Lean Manufacturing tools (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, JIT, Poka-Yoke, VSM, etc.) across operations.
Lead process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and reduce variability.
Support cross functional operational departments for problem solving initiatives and track to closure.
Production Readiness and Digital Analysis Integration Collaborate with suppliers to ensure manufacturability and part readiness before plant assembly.
Lead structured Root Cause Analysis and apply Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies (DMAIC) to stabilize processes and improve quality.
Implement and manage AI and digital simulations tools for process modeling, capacity planning and risk assessment.
Develop and maintain dashboards and KPI tracking (OEE, throughput, scrap, productivity) to support data-driven decision-making.
Translate performance metrics into actionable improvement plans.
Process Conduct classroom and on-the-floor training sessions using materials developed by the Learning and Development Lead.
Assist in the setup and operation of training equipment, simulations, and digital learning tools.
Documentation & Reporting Compile and distribute daily, weekly and monthly performance reports for leadership and cross-functional teams.
Document and communicate outcomes of Kaizen events, root cause analysis and continuous improvement projects.
Maintain accurate records of equipment capacity studies, line balancing and workload distribution.
Prepare reports summarizing cost analysis, efficiency studies and savings opportunities.
Track, analyze and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) including cycle time, takt time, throughput, OEE and labor utilization.
Process Improvement Leadership Gather feedback from trainees and supervisors to identify opportunities for improving training delivery.
Collaborating with the Learning and Development Lead to refine content and scheduling based on operational needs.