Industrial Engineer

Position Summary

This position is responsible for optimizing and scaling CelLink’s high-throughput roll-to-roll flexible circuit manufacturing operations. The Industrial Engineer develops and improves the systems that enable safe, efficient, predictable, and scalable production, with emphasis on manufacturing flow, WIP management, material flow, capacity and resource planning, factory layout, labor productivity, and Lean continuous improvement. The engineer works cross-functionally with Operations, Process, Equipment, Controls, Quality, Supply Chain, and Facilities to improve throughput, first-pass yield, lead time, utilization, cost, and overall system performance.

This role requires a strong analytical and hands-on manufacturing background, including Lean manufacturing, continuous-flow material movement, capacity modeling, work measurement, and simulation/analytical tools. The Industrial Engineer is expected to spend meaningful time on the manufacturing floor observing actual conditions, validating data, and implementing sustainable improvements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize high-volume roll-to-roll manufacturing systems using Lean, Six Sigma, simulation, and data-driven methods to improve throughput, cycle time, lead time, utilization, quality, labor efficiency, and cost.
• Lead current- and future-state value stream mapping and design/optimize plant layouts, workcells, and continuous-flow material movement strategies to support production ramp, factory expansion, safety, and scalability.
• Partner with Controls, Equipment, Process Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to implement automation and process improvements that reduce variation, operator dependence, waste, and material handling losses.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks, constraints, excess WIP, queue time, and process losses using root cause analysis, SPC, A3/PDCA, and other data-driven problem-solving methodologies.
• Lead time studies, work measurement, line balancing, takt/cycle-time analysis, workflow analysis, and capacity modeling; establish labor standards and identify opportunities to improve productivity and utilization.
• Develop PFMEAs, control plans, standard work instructions, visual aids, and other process controls to support production consistency, quality, and sustained improvements.
• Champion Lean and continuous improvement initiatives using tools such as Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Kanban, FIFO, supermarkets, and other pull/replenishment methods; train operators and technicians on applicable improvement tools.
• Collaborate on NPI and production ramp activities to ensure manufacturability, appropriate capacity, efficient flow, and a seamless transition to scaled production.
• Establish and optimize WIP targets, buffers, FIFO, Kanban, supermarkets, and replenishment strategies to control inventory and support predictable flow.
• Design and improve end-to-end material flow from receiving through production, WIP, finished goods, and shipping, including point-of-use material, line-side delivery, material handling, and replenishment routes.
• Develop and maintain capacity models for equipment, labor, processes, and facilities; perform demand-versus-capacity analysis and identify constraints, capacity gaps, and required resources.
• Support headcount, equipment, space, and capital planning for current and future production requirements; evaluate capacity gains through constraint removal, line balancing, process improvement, and improved utilization.
• Analyze manufacturing data and develop dashboards or analytical tools to monitor throughput, WIP, lead time, OEE, labor productivity, utilization, capacity, and other key manufacturing metrics; quantify improvement results and verify that gains are sustained.
• May provide technical direction and mentorship to junior engineers. Represent department in leadership-level discussions and strategic planning.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area; follow prescribed safety and environmental regulations.
• Demonstrate CelLink’s culture of integrity, teamwork, self‑discipline, and professional competence; perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Research, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in high-volume or automated manufacturing.
• Experience with roll-to-roll, flexible conveyance systems in a production environment; web handling systems strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in time studies, work measurement, process mapping, capacity modeling, simulation tools (e.g., Arena, FlexSim), and CAD/layout tools.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong foundation in Lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, WIP management, material flow, factory layout, line balancing, takt time, and bottleneck/constraint analysis.
• Ability to model production line performance, demand versus capacity, labor/equipment requirements, and process scenarios using analytical and simulation methods.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills; demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Facilities.
• Able to lead high-impact projects, quantify results, sustain improvements, and influence change in a fast-paced manufacturing environment; hands-on approach to floor-based problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related discipline
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with MES, SCADA, ERP/WMS systems, robotics, automated material handling, smart factory technologies, and production analytics dashboards.
• Experience with advanced Excel and data-analysis/visualization tools such as SQL, Python, Power BI, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of OSHA and ISO/IATF quality system requirements.
• Experience supporting high-volume production ramp, factory expansion, or major capacity increases; automotive, battery, semiconductor, electronics, or similar advanced manufacturing experience preferred.

Measures of Performance / KPIs

• Throughput, first-pass yield, lead-time, and cycle-time improvement
• On-time execution and sustained results of improvement projects
• Measured impact of cost and efficiency improvements (OEE, labor productivity/hours saved, utilization, and capacity gains)
• WIP control, material-flow effectiveness, and reduction of bottlenecks/constraints
• Accuracy and actionability of capacity/resource models, layouts, dashboards, and technical documentation
• Acts and presents him/herself professionally; shows respect for others at all times; works as a team member; is courteous to fellow employees, management, vendors and visitors.
• Consistently completing all assigned tasks on time.
• Follows Company’s policies and procedures.

Career Path / Advancement

• Employees in this role may progress to Senior Industrial Engineer, Staff Engineer, or into people leadership roles such as Manager, Industrial Engineering or Manufacturing Program Manager.

Working Conditions / Hours /Physical Requirements

Full‑time, salaried‑exempt position

Desk/Office Situated on or Near the Manufacturing Floor: The office location may vary by site. This position combines desk-based analytical work with regular, meaningful time on the manufacturing floor to observe operations, conduct studies, validate data, and implement improvements.

Manufacturing/Production Area: Regular presence in production areas with periodic exposure to high noise from operating equipment, moving mechanical parts, nuisance dust, and common industrial chemicals used in manufacturing. Appropriate PPE is provided and required where applicable.

The employee frequently remains in a stationary position and operates a computer and other productivity tools. The employee regularly moves about both the desk location and manufacturing areas and communicates and exchanges information effectively. The role may involve frequent use of a computer and related equipment to enter and process data.

Bending, balancing, or working in varied positions may be necessary. Employees may occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds independently, or up to 50 pounds with assistance. Vision abilities needed for this role include the ability to read documents, operate equipment safely, and visually inspect materials.

May require extended hours and occasional weekends to meet critical program milestones and customer requirements.

Travel up to 20% to CelLink sites, vendors, and customer locations as needed.