Industrial Engineer (Contract)

Ignite Human Capital • Carlsbad, CA

1d • $90,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We're looking for a hands-on Industrial Engineer to embed with our operations team and drive measurable improvements across the production floor. This is a floor-first role — you'll spend your time where the work happens, turning data and observation into practical changes that improve efficiency, quality, and safety. You'll partner cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to identify bottlenecks, standardize processes, and support the introduction of new products.
The right person is equal parts analyst and doer: comfortable running a time study in the morning, redesigning a workcell layout in the afternoon, and coaching a team through a 5S rollout the next day.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field (or equivalent hands-on experience).
• Demonstrated experience as a true Industrial Engineer — time studies, capacity analysis, layout optimization, and process improvement (as distinct from a manufacturing engineering background).
• Proficiency with CAD or layout software for optimizing production floor and workcell design.
• Working knowledge of OEE tracking and the ability to translate metrics into action.
• Hands-on experience implementing and sustaining Lean methodologies, 5S, visual management, and ergonomic assessments.
• Experience supporting New Product Introductions, including process documentation and production readiness validation.
• A collaborative, floor-first mindset and the ability to build trust across multiple functions.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (ITAR/CUI requirement).

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and structured continuous-improvement programs (Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• U.S. Person Requirement: Due to ITAR and/or CUI compliance requirements, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident. This is a strict, non-negotiable requirement for this role.

Responsibilities

• Analyze production processes and workflows to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements that increase throughput, quality, and safety.
• Design and optimize production floor and workcell layouts using CAD or layout software.
• Conduct time studies, capacity analyses, and labor estimates to inform planning and staffing decisions.
• Track and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other key operational metrics.
• Lead and sustain Lean initiatives, including 5S, visual management, and ergonomic assessments.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) efforts by documenting processes, estimating labor requirements, and validating production readiness.
• Collaborate daily with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to solve problems at the source.

What This Job Offers

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