Job description
NovaLine Manufacturing is seeking a results-driven Industrial Engineer to join our Chicago-based team. You will optimize production lines, improve materials flow, and implement data-driven improvements that reduce lead times and costs.
As a member of the Operations Excellence group, you will collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to design, test, and deploy robust processes that scale with demand.
Responsibility
- Conduct time studies and capacity analyses to balance line workloads and maximize throughput.
- Design and implement productive layouts that reduce material handling and travel distances.
- Lead kaizen events and value stream mapping to eliminate waste and improve cycle times.
- Develop and monitor KPIs (OEE, scrap rate, on-time delivery) and drive data-driven improvements.
- Collaborate with IT to implement manufacturing analytics, MES/ERP integration, and data collection strategies.
- Lead continuous improvement projects from scoping through validation and handover to operations.
- Support capital project scoping with ROI modeling and risk assessment.
- Provide training and mentorship to operations staff on standardized work and best practices.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field; Master's preferred.
- 3+ years of hands-on manufacturing process engineering experience in a high-mix, low-to-mid-volume environment.
- Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and problem-solving methodologies (DMAIC, 5S, Kaizen).
- Experience with line balancing, capacity planning, and line-side layout optimization.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Minitab, Tableau) and ERP/MES systems.
- Excellent communication, cross-functional collaboration, and project management skills.