Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer

ZEISS Group•Minneapolis, MN

1d•$92,000 - $114,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer leads strategic improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence, increase productivity, improve quality, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. This role partners with cross-functional teams to deploy Lean principles, facilitate problem-solving activities, optimize business processes, and develop a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, or related technical field.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Operational Excellence roles.
Demonstrated expertise in Lean principles, process improvement methodologies, and structured problem-solving techniques.
Proven ability to identify, lead, and sustain process improvements through the application of Lean tools and methodologies, including 6S, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work, Kamishibai, Root Cause Analysis, and Daily Management Systems.
Strong project management, analytical, facilitation, and leadership skills, with the ability to drive change and influence without direct authority.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate and build relationships across all organizational levels.

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred; Black Belt certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies such as 6S, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), DMAIC, and PDCA to improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
Identify, develop, and implement process improvements through process mapping, standard work, waste reduction, and cost-saving initiatives.
Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, and training programs to strengthen continuous improvement capabilities across the organization.
Partner with the Global Lean Team to deploy standardized Lean tools, share best practices, and coach teams on operational excellence principles.
Support Hoshin Kanri deployment by aligning improvement activities with strategic business objectives and key performance targets.
Build strong partnerships across Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Procurement, and Engineering to drive sustainable business improvements.
Provide hands-on coaching and training to employees and leaders on Lean methodologies, problem-solving, and continuous improvement tools.
Communicate project progress, results, and key performance metrics effectively to all levels of the organization.
Track and report improvement initiative performance, ensuring benefits are sustained and objectives achieved.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.