Process Improvement Engineer - Rolling Operations
Gerdau · Petersburg, VA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Base pay
- $105k–$121k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 14 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Gerdau (metals) in Petersburg, VA.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SPC
- Base pay
- $105k–$121k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in Virginia: typical posted base $85k–$115k. This one lists $105k–$121k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 11 continuous improvement openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 10 other live lean / ci postings in Virginia.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 91%
- ✓ Six Sigma 91%
- Kaizen 73%
- Value stream mapping 55%
- 5S 45%
- ✓ Root cause 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SPC, 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 Gerdau
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.
This plant: Gerdau in Petersburg
8 other open roles at this site.
- Maintenance Reliability Engineer · Reliability
- Controls Engineer · Controls
- Process Engineer - Melt Shop · Process
- Industrial Mechanic - Melt Shop · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Maintenance Electrician · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Electrician - Rolling Mill · Reliability · Technician
Full description from GerdauAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You'll Do
- ◆Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, yield, and cost reduction.
- ◆Analyze operational and production data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- ◆Facilitate root cause investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- ◆Manage and support capital projects from concept through implementation.
- ◆Develop and maintain operating standards, work procedures, and training materials.
- ◆Partner with operations, maintenance, and leadership teams to improve equipment and process performance.
- ◆Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- ◆Support employee development through coaching and technical training.
- ◆Promote a strong culture of safety and operational excellence.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At Gerdau, we empower our people to grow, thrive, and make a difference—together. With a culture built on trust and teamwork, we offer meaningful work, continuous development, and opportunities to shape your future. We invite you to come work with us, where your contributions are valued, your voice is heard, and your career is forged with purpose
Process Improvement Engineer - Rolling Operations
Located in Greater Richmond Region of south-central Virginia / Relocation Available within the U.S. / Salary: $105,000-$121,000 + Annual Bonus
Driven by sustainability, Gerdau produces up to 96% of its North American steel from recycled scrap. We pair this environmental focus with financial strength, standing as a highly stable, dividend-paying company on the NYSE.
Your Purpose
You will solve complex manufacturing problems, lead continuous improvement initiatives, manage capital projects, and work directly with operations teams to improve safety, quality, throughput, and reliability.
What We're Looking For
- •Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or related discipline OR HS/GED and 6-8 years of equivalent industrial experience.
- •3+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, metals, chemical, paper, mining, energy, automotive, or heavy industrial environments.
- •Experience leading process improvement or operational excellence initiatives.
- •Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, SPC, or similar methodologies.
- •Experience supporting capital projects preferred.
- •CAD experience preferred.
- •Rolling mill or steel experience is a plus, not required.
Why Join Gerdau?
- •Day-one medical, dental, and vision
- •401(k) with 100% match up to 6%
- •Tuition reimbursement & paid parental leave
- •Career advancement opportunities
- •Sustainability-focused organization with long-term growth
- •25 minutes from Richmond, VA
- •Affordable housing and lower cost of living than the national average
Build a More Reliable Future with Gerdau!
If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or recruiting@gerdau.com