Manufacturing Engineer - Entry Level Continuous Improvement

Under the direction of the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Howmet Business System, this position is responsible for supporting and assisting the Continuous Improvement Organization (Business Unit and Manufacturing Plants) as “boots on the ground” in the organization, planning, implementation, and follow-through of manufacturing improvement initiatives. Correspondingly, the incumbent coordinates and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve on-time delivery, productivity, quality, cost, safety, and environmental performance. This position does not directly supervise other personnel. Additionally, this position supports Operations Supervisors, Area Leads, and Plant Managers.

Key Objectives

• Deploy to Whitehall, MI as part of a team to increase output.
• Complete time studies in various processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Perform shopfloor observations, working with Manufacturing employees to document current and target conditions. Eliminate non-value-added activities while working on scrap reduction activities.
• Participate in the Howmet Business System implementation of continuous improvement initiatives and drive waste reductions utilizing Lean principles (JIT, Autonomation, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Line/Cell Design, Single Piece Flow, Material Flow, Visual Management, SMED, TPM, Root Cause Problem Solving, etc.)
• Coordinate with resource departments within the assigned locations to fabricate, install, and implement improvements to drive waste down and increase efficiency and output.
• Collaborate in Kaizen activities, problem solving, and rapid improvement process events with both internal and external consultants, customers, and suppliers. This includes providing support to sustain all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements initiated during those events, especially those concentrated on local improvement.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Job Dimensions:

The incumbent will possess:

• Willingness to work with shopfloor employees, interview, and document current condition
• Strong interpersonal skills requiring the ability to resolve conflicting interests and obtain cooperation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: able to develop and use structured approaches to identify root causes and recommend resolutions
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet objectives and key deadlines

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a STEM field
• Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as exhibit initiative and a high level of energy
• Must be willing to spend time on the manufacturing shopfloor to learn and interact with employees
• Exhibit teamwork and go-getting attitude
• Good analytical/statistical problem-solving skills
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as an U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, specifically Industrial Engineering, is preferred

• Internship or previous experience in manufacturing environment
• Exceptional Excel Spreadsheet creation, macros, and related data analysis skills

The incumbent shall take such steps as necessary to assure that all employment practices under his/her control, including hiring, firing, promotions, and discipline, are conducted in a nondiscriminatory fashion and without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin, age or physical disability. Incumbent recognizes that accident prevention is equal to quality, production, delivery, and cost control and accepts the responsibility to work safety while promoting safety conscious among fellow employees.