Senior Operational Excellence Engineer - Lean Six Sigma

Medtronic • Grand Rapids, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Operational Excellence Engineer, you will play a key role in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives that enhance quality, efficiency, and business performance across manufacturing and functional operations. Partnering with Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, Strategic Sourcing, Packaging, and other cross-functional teams, you will lead the identification, analysis, and optimization of complex processes, helping to improve productivity, reduce waste, and deliver sustainable business results in a highly regulated environment. Leveraging expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies, you will lead high-impact improvement projects, facilitate cross-functional workshops, and influence change across the organization. Through the application of tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, DMAIC, and PDCA, you will drive process standardization, strengthen process capability, support validation activities, and foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. This role is ideal for a collaborative, hands-on leader who thrives on solving complex challenges and translating operational strategy into measurable results. At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We’re working 5 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience OR PhD with 0 years relevant experience.
• Possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment (for roles below Principal level).

Nice To Haves

• Advanced proficiency in statistical analysis and data modeling using Excel, Minitab, Power BI, or similar analytical tools.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt, with demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement projects.
• Proven ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement data-driven solutions that deliver measurable performance improvements.
• Strong facilitation and leadership skills to plan, lead, and coach cross-functional teams in Kaizen, root cause analysis, and other improvement events.
• Experience developing and delivering training on Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive a culture of operational excellence.
• Solid understanding of process mapping, value stream analysis, and performance measurement systems.
• Strong project management and change management capabilities, ensuring sustainable adoption of improvement initiatives.
• For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Operational Excellence initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve quality, delivery, cost, and operational performance.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to identify, prioritize, and implement process improvement opportunities.
• Facilitate value stream mapping, Kaizen events, root cause investigations, and structured problem-solving activities to reduce waste and improve process capability.
• Analyze performance metrics and operational data to identify trends, measure results, and drive data-driven decision making.
• Develop and implement standardized work, visual management systems, and process controls to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation and sustainment.
• Coach and train teams on Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools to build organizational capability.
• Ensure process improvements comply with quality system, regulatory, and business requirements.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability leave
• Dependent daycare spending account
• Tuition assistance/reimbursement
• Simple Steps (global well-being program)
• Incentive plans
• 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match
• Short-term disability
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums)
• Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums)

What This Job Offers

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