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Continuous Improvement Engineer

Gates Industrial · Denver, CO

Level
Engineer
Team
Lean / CI
Travel
75%
Degree
Required
Industry
Industrial
Posted
16 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Gates Industrial (industrial) in Denver, CO.

They ask for
degree required
Tools it names
Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value stream mapping, Time studies, Plant layout
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 75% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Continuous Improvement roles in Colorado: typical posted base $130k–$170k.

Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 11 continuous improvement openings in Colorado, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Colorado plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 10 other live lean / ci postings in Colorado.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $130k–$170k, from 7 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Not stated

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Lean 100%
  • ✓ Value stream mapping 82%
  • ✓ Six Sigma 45%
  • ✓ Kaizen 45%
  • 5S 36%
  • Root cause 27%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Plant layout, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Gates Industrial

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • The posting says about 75% travel. Between which sites?
  4. 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. 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 Gates IndustrialAs posted on their careers site.Show

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What to expect

As an innovation leader, we look for ambitious, forward thinking, open-minded and well-rounded individuals to join our global team. As a Remote position with required travel to plants you will be a Continuous Improvement Engineer.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer is a hands-on problem solver who partners with plant leadership to drive operational performance and efficiency. This role leads continuous improvement and Industrial Engineering initiatives, identifying opportunities to optimize workflows, material flow, and production processes.

They play a key role in shaping a culture of Lean thinking and accountability, delivering measurable results across safety, quality, productivity, and cost. Through data-driven analysis, time studies, and cross-functional collaboration, this role helps the plant consistently meet or exceed performance expectations while building sustainable improvements across operations.

Show full description ↓

(to name a few)

  • •Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize production systems, increase efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.
  • •Improve facility layout, workflows, and labor models to align with operational performance goals.
  • •Enhance material flow using Lean tools such as PFEP, floor space planning, and inventory optimization.
  • •Develop and maintain capacity models to identify constraints and support data-driven decision-making.
  • •Conduct time studies and utilization analysis to drive sustainable efficiency improvements.
  • •Analyze production processes and apply Value Stream Mapping to identify bottlenecks and eliminate waste.
  • •Lead the implementation of process improvements, including new technologies and standardized work.
  • •Partner with cross-functional teams to establish efficient, cost-effective production standards.
  • •Train and coach employees on Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • •Maintain documentation and reporting to track performance and sustain improvements.
  • •Lead and support Kaizen events to drive measurable operational results and cultural adoption of continuous improvement.

About you

  • •Bachelor’s degree required: in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • •Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 75% of the time is required.
  • •Must reside within reasonable proximity to a major airport hub to accommodate frequent domestic and international travel.
  • •2 + years of experience in manufacturing or continuous improvement environments
  • •Certification in Lean Six Sigma preferred
  • •Experience with time studies, capacity analysis, and labor modeling to drive operational improvements
  • •Lean and continuous improvement experience, including leading Kaizen events and applying standard methodologies
  • •Strong knowledge of production processes, machinery, and operational standards
  • •Experience in Microsoft Office and CAD
  • •Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
  • •Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship

Benefits

  • •Full-Time
  • •Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options:
  • •Benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
  • •Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation, additionally 8 sick days
  • •11 paid holidays
  • •401(k): company matching up to 6%
  • •Tuition Reimbursement
  • •Employee Discounts

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

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