Senior Engineer Operational Excellence # 4891

GRAIL•Durham, NC

1d•$94,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Engineer, Operational Excellence will support continuous improvement initiatives within our sequencing-based cancer screening operations. This role will work at the intersection of data, process, and operations to enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability across laboratory and operational workflows. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, data-savvy, and experienced in Lean methodologies, with a strong inclination toward solving complex operational problems through structured analysis and experimentation. This role works on-site full-time at our office located in Durham, NC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, or related field
6+ years of experience in process engineering, operations, or continuous improvement roles, ideally in biotech, diagnostics, or manufacturing
Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies (certification a plus)
Experience with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI)
Familiarity with SPC/QC tools and statistical analysis techniques
Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy
Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across teams
Experience in NGS, clinical laboratory operations, or diagnostics workflows
Familiarity with regulated environments (CLIA, CAP, FDA) preferred

Nice To Haves

Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail and data accuracy
Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across teams

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain operational dashboards and visualizations to track performance across workflows
Support generation and automation of KPI reporting, ensuring data integrity and usability
Collaborate with stakeholders to refine metrics and improve visibility into operational performance
Perform data exploration and statistical analysis to identify trends, variation, and potential process deviations
Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Quality Control (QC) methods to monitor and improve process stability
Identify leading indicators of performance issues and recommend proactive interventions
Execute and support Lean initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen events, and Six Sigma projects
Conduct root cause analyses (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone) and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
Partner with operations teams to pilot, measure, and scale process improvements
Capture and document operational issues, risks, and improvement opportunities
Maintain structured tracking systems (e.g., backlogs, ticketing tools) for visibility and accountability
Lead prioritization of improvement efforts in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders
Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Software, and Product teams to implement process improvements
Translate operational needs into clear requirements for technical teams
Provide feedback loops to ensure solutions effectively address root causes