Manufacturing Engineer - Continuous Improvement

Howmet Aerospace · Whitehall, MI

Level: Engineer
Team: Lean / CI
Degree: Required
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 16 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level continuous improvement role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Whitehall, MI. Correspondingly, the incumbent coordinates and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve on-time delivery, productivity, quality, cost, safety, and environmental performance.

They ask for: degree required
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, TPM
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

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

Continuous Improvement roles in Michigan: typical posted base $89k–$136k.

Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 21 continuous improvement openings in Michigan, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

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

How this role compares

Against 20 other live lean / ci postings in Michigan.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Not stated

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Lean 95%
✓ Kaizen 57%
✓ Root cause 52%
✓ Six Sigma 48%
✓ Value stream mapping 48%
✓ 5S 43%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Howmet Aerospace
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Michael → (free)
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?
- 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: Howmet Aerospace in Whitehall

38 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in lean / ci roles at Howmet Aerospace.

Manufacturing Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
Operations Manager · Production · Manager
Facilities Engineer - Plant 4 - Thermatech · Reliability
Tool & Die Maker / Moldmaker · Manufacturing · Technician
Manufacturing Engineer - Plant 10 · Production
Senior Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior

All 39 roles at Howmet Aerospace →

Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Participate in the Howmet Business System implementation of continuous improvement initiatives and drive waste reductions utilizing 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.)
◆Coordinate with resource departments within the assigned locations to fabricate, install, and implement improvements to 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) to identify opportunities and create a target condition, with action plans to improve operational and financial results.
◆Complete value stream mapping, identify opportunities, and lead shopfloor manufacturing efforts in process reengineering and process improvements in various plants.
◆Facilitate successful kaizen, problem solving, and rapid improvement process events with both internal and external consultants, customers, and suppliers. This includes providing support to sustain all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements initiated during those events, especially those concentrated on local improvement.
◆Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

✓Minimum three years of experience in a manufacturing environment
✓Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited institution is required
✓Must possess knowledge and understanding of Continuous Process Improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma
✓Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
✓Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
✓This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items.

Preferred Qualifications

✓Bachelor's degree in engineering, specifically Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, is preferred
✓Exceptional Excel Spreadsheet creation, macros, and related data analysis skills
✓Three or more years of related experience in a manufacturing environment highly desired
✓Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as exhibit initiative and a high level of energy
✓Must be willing to spend time on the manufacturing shop floor to learn and interact with employees
✓Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and drive change
✓Exhibit teamwork and go-getting attitude
✓Good analytical/statistical problem-solving skills

Show full description ↓

Under the direction of the VP and Manager of Continuous Improvement, this position is responsible for supporting and assisting the Continuous Improvement Organization (Business Unit and Manufacturing Plants) as “boots on the ground” in the organization, planning, implementation, and follow-through of manufacturing improvement initiatives. Correspondingly, the incumbent coordinates and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve on-time delivery, productivity, quality, cost, safety, and environmental performance. This position does not directly supervise other personnel. This position does support Operations Supervisors, Area Leads, and Plant Managers.

This position will be based in Whitehall, MI

Primary

The incumbent will possess

•Demonstrated experience in manufacturing improvement techniques, including flow principles, Kanban, and plan for every part (PFEP)

Expertise in value stream mapping and associated improvement methodologies

•Understanding of pillars of Toyota production system (JIT, Autonomation)
•Experience evaluating TAKT time vs. cycle time, determining work area constraints (i.e. cycle time constraint, periodic work constraints, downtime constraints).
•Experience on shop floor, working with employees, and enhancing manufacturing processes

Strong interpersonal skills requiring the ability to resolve conflicting interests and obtain cooperation.

•Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: able to develop and use structured approaches to identify root causes and recommend resolutions
•Demonstrated experience in project leadership and project management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet objectives and key deadlines

Basic

Our Story

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products