Position: Continuous Improvement Engineer
Location: Utica, NY

Our client, Riverhawk Company,  is seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Continuous Improvement Engineer to lead and implement a formal Continuous Improvement (CI) program across our CNC manufacturing operations. This is a newly created role designed to build and sustain a culture of operational excellence from the ground up.

The Continuous Improvement Engineer will identify and eliminate scrap, rework, and waste while driving lean initiatives to achieve and maintain a “first time good” rate of 90% or greater. This individual will serve as a change leader within the organization — inspiring collaboration, gaining shop-floor trust, and promoting a culture of precision, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

This is a brand new hands-on position with significant visibility and long-term growth potential into senior leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across CNC work centers and production processes.
• Build and implement a structured CI program where none currently exists.
• Audit shop floor processes; identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, scrap drivers, and systemic waste.
• Analyze ERP and production data to develop actionable improvement plans that increase throughput and reduce cost.
• Drive Lean initiatives including 5S, Kaizen events, value stream mapping, visual management, and standard work development.
• Lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) processes to resolve quality and efficiency issues.
• Collaborate with engineering to improve manufacturability, cost control, and process consistency for new and existing parts.
• Partner with an external TDO consultant to launch and lead key CI projects.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, KPIs, dashboards, and ISO-aligned procedures.
• Champion employee engagement and cultural adoption of continuous improvement principles.
• Extract and interpret ERP data (SyteLine) to drive data-based operational decisions.
• Present performance metrics, findings, and improvement strategies to leadership.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Engineering or related technical field required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. (Degree may be substituted only by exceptional hands-on experience combined with strong analytical and technical competency.)
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production leadership, or continuous improvement within a CNC machining or similar environment.
• Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing initiatives, 5S implementation, Kaizen events, and value stream mapping.
• Proven ability to implement measurable improvements that increase throughput and reduce cost.
• Strong knowledge of bills of materials (BOMs), routings, process controls, and ISO documentation.
• Experience working within ERP systems (SyteLine preferred) and extracting data for analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, dashboards, data manipulation, reporting).
• Ability to gain shop-floor credibility and effectively influence cultural change in a mid-size manufacturing environment.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Six Sigma certification a plus.

Benefits:

• 96 hours PTO + 56 hours Paid Sick Leave annually for new hires
• Ten paid holidays
• Discretionary performance bonuses
• Medical insurance with company-funded HRA
• Two dental plan options
• Vision insurance
• Immediate 100% vesting in 401(k) with 3% Company Contribution
• Company-paid short-term disability and $25,000 life insurance
• Optional long-term disability and additional life insurance
• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities

Salary: $70,000 - $95,000 annually

M3 Placement and Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.