Continuous Improvement Engineer
A. O. Smith · South Carolina
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level continuous improvement role at A. O. Smith (industrial) in South Carolina. Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, Kaizen, 5S
- Day to day
- relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in South Carolina: typical posted base $97k–$138k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 18 continuous improvement openings in South Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 17 other live lean / ci postings in South Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 4+)
Typical $97k–$138k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 72%
- ✓ Six Sigma 61%
- Value stream mapping 39%
- ✓ Green Belt 33%
- ✓ SAP 33%
- Team leadership 28%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for DMAIC, Time studies, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at A. O. Smith
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from A. O. SmithAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
for each step, and prepares operation sheets.
Responsibilities
- ◆Develop an annual Continuous Improvement Strategy for AOS McBee.
- ◆Provides overall guidance of AOS McBee Continuous Improvement Program through matrix team consisting of all company functions
- ◆Develop and maintain Process Maps to document current and future state workflows,
- ◆Identify bottlenecks and improve process effectiveness.
- ◆Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives using 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, Pull Systems, and DMAIC methodologies.
- ◆Conduct Time Studies and Work Measurement Analysis to optimize labor utilization, improve productivity, and establish standard work requirements.
- ◆Assists operations achieving measurable and sustainable improvement in key metrics such as efficiency, productivity and effectiveness of business and manufacturing processes.
- ◆Tracks AOS McBee Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and Key Improvement Priorities (KIP’s).
- ◆Facilitates CI Kaizen events and tracks progress of improvement opportunities.
- ◆Facilitate learning opportunities regarding continuous improvement with other AOS facilities. Provide corporate leadership as requested.
- ◆Supported production line labeling, process optimization, and workflow initiatives
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Process engineering or related field.
- ✓1+ year of related work experience in Continuous Improvement.
- ✓Lean Six Sigma Practitioner (Bronze, Green Belt, or Black Belt Certified) preferred.
- ✓Change Management - Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change.
- ✓Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions.
- ✓Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
- ✓Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals.
- ✓Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- ✓Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- ✓Strong communication, skills Ability to facilitate meetings.
- ✓Ability to observe and document work performed by others.
- ✓Ability to observe and document process steps in automated work environments.
- ✓Excellent understanding of Lean Manufacturing processes and concepts.
- ✓Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel, Power BI, Visio, SAP, and Microsoft Project; working knowledge of AutoCAD.
We Offer
#Appcast
ADA Statement & EEO Statement
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Company / Location Information
A. O. Smith is a global leader applying innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. The company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products for residential and light commercial applications. A. O. Smith is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with approximately 12,000 employees at operations in the United States, Canada, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
This position is fully on-site in McBee, South Carolina. For qualified candidates relocating from outside the area, A. O. Smith offers a generous relocation package to help support a smooth and successful transition.
Primary Function
The Continuous Improvement Engineer follows established engineering principles to determine the sequence of steps or processes required to fabricate and assemble products that meet the organization's standards of quality and cost. This person also analyzes product specifications, parts drawings, and other engineering data to develop new production processes, estimate time