Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer

Eaton · Davenport, IA

Level: Senior
Team: Lean / CI
Base pay: $86k–$126k
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior continuous improvement role at Eaton (industrial) in Davenport, IA. Additionally, the CIE will lead and support Six Sigma training, oversee certification processes, and drive continuous improvement in Six Sigma performance year over year.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, TPM
Base pay: $86k–$126k
Day to day: relocation help

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Relocation help

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 Eaton
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?
- 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.

About the role

Qualifications

✓Bachelor’s engineering degree from an accredited institution
✓3+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement efforts using Lean process methods and tools across multiple functions of the business
✓5+ years in a lean manufacturing environment
✓Certified and Active Six Sigma Belt and RedX problem solving methodology
✓Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now or in the future.
✓This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. “Green Card Holder”), Political Asylee or Refugee.

Preferred Qualifications

✓5+ years of experience in Continuous Improvement efforts using Lean process methods and tools across multiple functions of the business
✓7+ years in a lean manufacturing environment
✓3+ years of experience leading continuous improvement efforts using six sigma process methods and tools, across multiple functions of the business
✓Demonstrated ability to teach and mentor others in the Problem Solving and methodology
✓Excellent Instructor and influence skills to enable visible and collaborative leadership
✓Successful project management experience
✓Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to relate to diverse teams and functions
✓Demonstrated effective and professional presentation techniques and skills
✓Ability to think creatively and strategically, and to take a proactive and aggressive goal-setting approach in developing a Lean culture
✓Comfortable working with multiple departments

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence

Show full description ↓

Eaton’s AER MSD Mission System Division is currently seeking a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer. This role is based in Davenport, IA. Relocation assistance will be offered to candidates within the United States.

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What you’ll do

As a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer you will be responsible for the implementation of plant-wide continuous improvement objectives by actively driving and sustaining problem solving using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies; institutionalizing the elements of the CI management system; and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Continuous Improvement within the Eaton Continuous Improvement System (ECIS). The Senior CIE will emphasize embedding CI practices by promoting, teaching and actively working key tools and cultural initiatives such as Value Stream Mapping (VSM), A3 Problem Solving, Daily Accountability Process (DAP), Leader Standard Work (LSW), Gemba Walks (GW), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Standard Work (SW), and advanced problem-solving techniques including Lean and Six Sigma.

The role is accountable for achieving critical CI KPIs, including cost reduction, savings/certifications, improvement in quality and productivity at sites/business units, and reductions in lead time.

Additionally, the CIE will lead and support Six Sigma training, oversee certification processes, and drive continuous improvement in Six Sigma performance year over year.

Strategy, Leadership & Culture

•Lead site‑level Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy, including ECIS deployment, sustainment, and performance management.
•Establish, execute, and evolve the Six Sigma strategy and program, including governance, certification pathways, instructor development, and performance metrics.
•Drive year‑over‑year Six Sigma performance in cost reduction, certifications, capability growth, and savings per certification.

Execution, Problem Solving & Operational Excellence

•Drive Kaizen events, structured problem solving (A3), and Six Sigma initiatives to deliver measurable and sustainable improvements.
•Utilize advanced CI methodologies (Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis) and foundational tools (A3, 5 Why, 5S).
•Identify adverse trends and systemic issues through cross‑functional collaboration and data‑driven analysis.

Capability Development & Cross‑Functional Partnership

•Lead CI and Six Sigma training and certification efforts for CI professionals and front‑line leaders.
•Review and continuously improve CI, Problem Solving, and Six Sigma training content to ensure high impact and consistency.