Continuous Improvement Engineer

About Pratt Miller an Oshkosh company

Pratt Miller is a product development company in motorsports defense and mobility industries providing clients with product engineering and low-volume production solutions. Our range of research & development engineering prototype manufacturing test & validation and low-rate production capability help our customers bring their high-quality products to market faster.

OVERVIEW:

The Continuous Improvement Engineer drives operational excellence across Pratt Millers manufacturing operations by optimizing processes systems and tools to improve efficiency quality and compliance. This role plays a key part in evaluating and enhancing the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and its integration with ERP and PLM platformsensuring production data material usage and labor costs are accurately captured tracked and reported in alignment with program and regulatory requirements.

Working cross-functionally with Manufacturing Quality and Product Engineering the Specialist applies Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste streamline workflows and increase throughput. They assess current manufacturing and product release processes to identify system gaps and risks introduced by new contractual constraints particularly those tied to Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

Initially operating in a consultative capacity the Specialist will evaluate existing processes and systems identify deficiencies and develop a roadmap to close compliance and efficiency gaps.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND SKILLS:

Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to all of the following:

• Lead system and process improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations aligning MES ERP and PLM tools to meet DoD and program-specific requirements.
• Assess design and implement future-state workflows that integrate Lean principles digital tools and data-driven feedback to enhance efficiency accuracy and traceability.
• Partner cross-functionally with Manufacturing Quality Product Engineering Supply Chain and IT to drive system alignment process standardization and data integrity.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives including Kaizen events root cause analyses and Lean/Six Sigma projects to improve production performance safety and quality.
• Develop and implement standardized work procedures visual management systems and control plans to sustain process gains and ensure consistent execution.
• Optimize material flow equipment utilization and cycle time in collaboration with production and engineering teams.
• Develop and maintain performance dashboards and visual management tools to communicate progress and sustain improvements.
• Support ISO and internal audit activities ensuring compliance with documentation and continuous improvement standards.
• Participate in supplier or process audits and assist in resolving quality or process control issues.
• Coach and mentor team members in Lean and Six Sigma tools fostering a culture of ownership innovation and continuous improvement.
• Manage multiple CI projects simultaneously ensuring alignment with organizational goals production schedules and strategic priorities.
• Present findings updates and recommendations to leadership through clear data-supported communication.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

In addition to the responsibilities mentioned above tasks relating to the following area will be assigned as required.

• U.S. Citizenship required due to work on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs; ability to obtain a security clearance.
• Familiarity with defense manufacturing requirements including configuration control traceability and data security.
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools (Power BI Tableau Excel SQL) to support decision-making.
• Understanding of AS9100 ISO 9001 and ITAR/EAR compliance standards.
• Strong analytical documentation and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate findings into actionable improvements.
• Excellent communication facilitation and interpersonal skills for working across functions and levels.
• Exposure to Agile OODA or similar iterative improvement frameworks.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Business Systems or a related technical field required.
• 5 years of experience in manufacturing process improvement operations excellence or systems integration (MES/ERP/PLM environments).
• Demonstrated experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies (Green or Black Belt certification preferred).
• Experience in discrete or complex assembly in Defense manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with MES ERP (Sage SAP or similar) and PLM (Windchill Teamcenter or similar) systems.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects from assessment through implementation and sustainment.

DESIRED SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Proven success leading Lean Six Sigma or process improvement initiatives in a production or assembly environment.
• Experience designing closed-loop feedback systems that connect production data (MES) with engineering change control (PLM) and financial systems (ERP).
• Knowledge of digital manufacturing transformation system integration and data governance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work in both office and production environments including time on the shop floor observing processes and supporting teams.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs.) and standing/walking during process observation and improvement activities.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

• Core hours: 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. (minimum) typically averaging 45 hours per week.
• Additional hours may be required during project implementations or process launches to meet deadlines and support production.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work will primarily be performed in a manufacturing environment with frequent interaction on the production floor.
• Collaboration across operations quality and engineering teams is essential.
• Some travel may be required for training supplier visits or off-site improvement events.
• Pratt Miller fosters a collaborative innovative and results-driven culture where team members contribute to advancing manufacturing performance and operational excellence.

Pay Range:

Oshkosh is committed to working with and offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any part of the recruitment process please contact our talent acquisition team by email .

Oshkosh Corporation is a merit-based Equal Opportunity opportunities are open for application to all qualified individuals and selection decisions are made without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability veteran status or other protected characteristic. To the extent that information is provided or collected regarding categories as provided by law it will in no way affect the decision regarding an employment application.

Oshkosh Corporation will not discharge or in any manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about discussed or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge (b) in furtherance of an investigation proceeding hearing or action including an investigation conducted by the employer or (c) consistent with Oshkosh Corporations legal duty to furnish information.

Certain positions with Oshkosh Corporation require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be U.S. Persons as defined in these regulations. Generally a U.S. Person is a U.S. citizen lawful permanent resident or an individual who has been admitted as a refugee or granted asylum.