Optimization Engineer

Essential Function

The Optimization Engineer exists to improve manufacturing performance through disciplined, data-driven process optimization. The role focuses on identifying, prioritizing, and executing improvements that increase throughput, yield, capacity, safety, and predictability across manufacturing operations. The position partners closely with manufacturing, process engineering, quality, supply chain management, IT, and sales teams to translate analytical insights into sustained shop floor improvements and standardized practices.

Overarching Goals of the Role

• Improve operational efficiency by reducing waste, rework, and variability in manufacturing processes
• Increase production output and reliability without proportional increases in labor or capital
• Establish repeatable, standardized processes that can be sustained by manufacturing teams
• Shift process decision making from anecdotal or “tribal knowledge” methods to data-based engineering controls
• Support strategic initiatives (e.g., automation, layout changes) that materially improve operating performance

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, quality risks, and capacity constraints
• Lead and execute improvement projects targeting cycle time, throughput, yield, scrap reduction, and labor efficiency
• Use data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, ERP data) to quantify problems, validate solutions, and track results

Project Execution & Cross Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with project managers and cross-functional teams to improve execution, reduce waste, and increase predictability
• Hand off completed improvements with clear documentation and standards to ensure long-term sustainment

Standardization & Manufacturing Systems

• Standardize successful solutions so they can be replicated across products, cells, or sites
• Support layout, flow, and cell design improvements to improve material movement and space utilization

Automation & Advanced Improvement (as applicable)

• Evaluate opportunities and support optimization of automated or semi-automated processes through data analysis and controlled changes to improve safety, quality, and throughput
• Work within defined engineering and change control standards when implementing improvements affecting equipment or systems

Collaboration

• Able to engage productively with members of the team at all levels
• Able to utilize concepts and data to acquire buy-in from members of the team

Minimum Education & Professional Requirements

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Systems, or related Engineering discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience
• 1 – 3 years of experience in optimization, process improvement, or related engineering roles
• Demonstrated success completing projects with measurable impact to manufacturing performance
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement, Lean, and basic project management principles
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel required) and ability to interpret complex operational data
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Regular presence on the manufacturing floor to observe processes, collect data, and support implementation
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and access production areas as required to perform engineering analyses
• Occasional lifting or movement of light materials or tools in support of process studies (within standard industrial limits)
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with appropriate PPE

Salary Range

$75,000 - $95,000

Benefits

• 401(k) with matching
• Health, dental, vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement

Pre-Employment Drug Testing

All applicants who are offered a job with the company will be tested for drugs as part of the post-job offer employment screening process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Our company is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.