Industrial Engineer

About the Company

MAT HD is a leading manufacturer of heavy braking parts for commercial vehicles, serving distributors, fleet owners, and OEMs. We specialize in high-quality brake shoes, new brake kits, and lined shoes for trucks and buses. As part of MAT Holdings Inc., a $2.2 billion multi-national company founded in 1984, we operate in the automotive, fencing, hardware, and power equipment sectors with over 14,000 employees across 12 countries. Our U.S. operations include 2.1 million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space.

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned Industrial Engineer with expertise in Lean methodologies to drive operational efficiency across equipment utilization, facility layout, and production workflows. This role serves as a strategic advisor to the Plant Manager, guiding improvement initiatives from concept through implementation while collaborating with production and maintenance teams to resolve day-to-day operational challenges.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, develop, and test innovative solutions for manufacturing processes based on analysis and organizational objectives
• Identify design improvements by assessing activity levels, footprint capacity, and space utilization within facilities
• Develop plans to optimize equipment throughput, remove bottlenecks, and reduce breakdowns
• Create and maintain manufacturing process documentation, including flow charts, capacity studies, time and motion studies, standard work, cycle time analysis, and line balancing
• Empower employees and optimize activities using Six Sigma, Lean, and other best practices
• Analyze current processes, determine effectiveness, and recommend improvement strategies with implementation timelines
• Conduct time study analysis to establish production standards for departments
• Promote continuous improvement through teamwork and a community of process improvement practice
• Research and introduce new equipment and technologies
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5 years of related experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience leading continuous improvement efforts using Lean methods and tools
• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on problem-solving skills
• Ability to understand production processes and implement low-level automation/robotics
• Proficiency in value stream mapping and root cause analysis
• Experience with work cell layout and material flow analysis (preferred)
• Strong project and program management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Willingness to travel up to 40%

Skills

• Mechanical skills for equipment maintenance and fabrication
• Ability to follow quality standards and guidelines strictly
• Multi-tasking to manage multiple projects and activities
• Cost reduction identification and ROI justification for equipment changes
• Conceptual and intuitive thinking to identify root causes
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively in a team environment

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance (after 60 days of employment)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation, sick days, and holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan with company match
• Career advancement program with training and development
• Wellness programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary and employer-provided Life/AD&D insurance

MAT Holdings Inc. is a privately held, family-owned company headquartered in Long Grove, Illinois.