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Howmet Aerospace

Manufacturing Engineer - Continuous Improvement

Howmet Aerospace, Wayside Mobile Court, Michigan, United States

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Manufacturing Engineer - Continuous Improvement

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Howmet Aerospace

Location: Whitehall, MI – 5 minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan. Popular neighboring cities include Grand Rapids and Muskegon.

Responsibilities Under the direction of the Lead Engineer for Continuous Improvement, this position is responsible for supporting the Continuous Improvement Organization (Business Unit and Manufacturing Plants) in the planning, implementation, and follow‑through of manufacturing improvement initiatives. The incumbent coordinates and leads activities aimed at improving on‑time delivery, productivity, quality, cost, safety, and environmental performance, and supports Operations Supervisors, Area Leads, and Plant Managers.

Key Objectives

Participate in the Howmet Business System implementation of continuous improvement initiatives and drive waste reductions using 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.).

Work out of the Whitehall, MI site as part of a team to reduce executional scrap.

Create step‑by‑step procedures for the loading and unloading of large volume processing equipment.

Coordinate with resource departments to fabricate, install, and implement improvements that drive waste down and increase efficiency and output.

Develop Value Stream maps of key processes and product flows, define the current condition of the facility(ies), and create a target condition with action plans to improve operational and financial results.

Lead shopfloor manufacturing efforts in process reengineering and process improvements across plants.

Facilitate kaizen, problem‑solving, and rapid improvement events with internal and external partners, and sustain the follow‑through of improvements.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Dimensions / Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in manufacturing improvement techniques, including flow principles, Kanban, and PFEP.

Expertise in value stream mapping and associated improvement methodologies.

Understanding of Toyota Production System pillars such as JIT and Autonomation.

Experience evaluating TAKT time vs. cycle time and determining work‑area constraints.

Hands‑on shopfloor experience working with employees to enhance manufacturing processes.

Strong interpersonal skills to resolve conflicting interests and obtain cooperation.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, capable of using structured approaches to identify root causes and recommend resolutions.

Demonstrated experience in project leadership and management, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet objectives and key deadlines.

At least two years of experience in manufacturing environments.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an accredited institution.

Knowledge and understanding of Continuous Process Improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, initiative, and a high level of energy.

Willingness to spend time on the manufacturing shop floor to learn and interact with employees.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and drive change.

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering.

Exceptional Excel spreadsheet creation, macros, and related data analysis skills.

Three or more years of related experience.

About Howmet Aerospace Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. With $7.4 Billion in revenue in 2024, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic. If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email TalentAcquisitionCoE_Howmet@howmet.com.

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