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Lean Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lean Strategist

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$111K - $144K/yr

Serve as the subject matter expert on FPS, ensuring all lean engineering activities align with corporate standards while driving the evolution of the system to improve throughput and reduce waste.

Lean Engineer

Arlington, TX · On-site

$71K - $94K/yr

As a Lean Engineer , you will be a key driver of operational excellence, leading initiatives that ... Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or ...

Lean Strategist

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$112K - $212K/yr

As a Lean Strategist, you will be a key architect of Ford's continuous improvement culture. You ... Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Engineering - Manufacturing Engineering, BSEE, BSME, BSCE ...

Lean Engineer

Arlington, TX

$69K - $92K/yr

As a Lean Engineer , you will be a key driver of operational excellence, leading initiatives that ... Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or ...

Lean Engineer

Arlington, TX · On-site

$69K - $92K/yr

As a Lean Engineer , you will be a key driver of operational excellence, leading initiatives that ... Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or ...

Lean Engineer

Bristol, NH

$79K - $106K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field. * 7-10 years of experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or process ...

Lean Engineer

Findlay, OH

$74K - $99K/yr

Partner with production, engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams to identify and eliminate waste throughout the organization. * Train, coach, and mentor employees on Lean principles ...

Lean Engineer

Bristol, NH · On-site

$79K - $106K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field. * 7-10 years of experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or process ...

Lean Engineer

Findlay, OH · On-site

$74K - $99K/yr

Partner with production, engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams to identify and eliminate waste throughout the organization. * Train, coach, and mentor employees on Lean principles ...

Lean Manufacturing Engineer Location: EXALTA Group - Bonita Springs, FL Reports To: Director of ... This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering to improve ...

New

Opex Lean Engineer

Coamo, PR · On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering English: conversational advanced Minimum Experience: At least three years experience in Continuous Improvement and Lean tools. • Project Management • Lean Tools ...

Lean Manufacturing Engineer

Abingdon, VA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Reporting directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, this position develops, implements, and sustains Lean initiatives that improve productivity, quality, safety, and profitability while ...

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science; Industrial Engineering preferred * Minimum of 1 year of related experience; alternatively, significant internship experience working on Lean or ...

Lean Coach Location ... Midland/Carlsbad Skill Sets Needed : project management, field operations & engineering interface ...

Showing results 21-40

Lean Engineering information

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$12

$31

$57

How much do lean engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for lean engineering in the United States is $31.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $37.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lean engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lean Engineer, a strong background in industrial engineering, process improvement, and Lean manufacturing principles is essential, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with tools like Six Sigma, Kaizen, value stream mapping, and Lean certification (such as Lean Six Sigma Green Belt) is typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams stand out as vital soft skills. These competencies drive operational efficiency, cost savings, and continuous improvement within manufacturing or production environments.

What is lean engineering?

Lean Engineering is an approach to engineering that focuses on maximizing value while minimizing waste throughout the design, development, and manufacturing processes. It applies Lean principles—originally developed in manufacturing—to engineering workflows, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. Lean Engineering encourages continuous improvement, collaboration, and the elimination of non-value-added activities. This methodology is widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and technology to streamline product development and accelerate time-to-market.

How does a lean engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements?

Lean Engineers work closely with cross-functional teams—including production, quality, supply chain, and management—to identify inefficiencies and implement process enhancements. They facilitate workshops such as Kaizen events, gather input from team members at all levels, and use data-driven approaches to develop sustainable solutions. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are crucial, as Lean Engineers must ensure that changes are practical and embraced by all involved. This collaborative environment not only fosters innovation but also accelerates the adoption of best practices across the organization.

What is the difference between Lean Engineering vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectLean EngineeringMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in engineering, certifications in Lean or Six SigmaBachelor's or master's in mechanical engineering, professional licensure often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, process improvement, product developmentDesign, testing, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems
Industry UsageManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, process industriesAutomotive, aerospace, robotics, energy sectors

Lean Engineering focuses on optimizing processes and reducing waste through methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma, often working across various manufacturing and process environments. Mechanical Engineers design and develop mechanical systems, focusing on product development, testing, and maintenance. While both roles require engineering credentials, Lean Engineering emphasizes process improvement skills, whereas Mechanical Engineering centers on mechanical design and analysis.

More about Lean Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Lean Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Lean Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Lean Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Lean Engineering jobs include:
Infographic showing various Lean Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,624 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

$111K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description


We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
As part of our Manufacturing team, you'll help build the world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we're constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.
In this role...
As a Lean Strategist, you will be a key architect of Ford's continuous improvement culture. You will be responsible for designing and implementing strategic frameworks that drive efficiency, quality, and safety across our manufacturing footprint. This role goes beyond simple tactical application; you will be expected to mentor cross-functional teams, integrate lean principles into new engineering product launches, and evolve the Ford Production System (FPS) to meet the challenges of the future. This role will travel 50% of the time.
Responsibilities
What You'll Do...
  • Ford Production System (FPS) Stewardship: Serve as the subject matter expert on FPS, ensuring all lean engineering activities align with corporate standards while driving the evolution of the system to improve throughput and reduce waste.
  • Model Area Development: Lead the creation and sustainment of "Model Areas" to serve as the gold standard for operational excellence, providing a blueprint for scaling improvements across Ford manufacturing plants.
  • Value Stream Mapping (VSM): Facilitate end-to-end VSM sessions across Ford manufacturing plants to identify "Current State" bottlenecks across engineering and design "Future State" maps that optimize material and information flow.
  • Kaizen Leadership: Organize and lead high-impact Kaizen events at Ford manufacturing plants, empowering operators and staff to generate and implement ideas (aiming for the high levels of operator engagement seen in our Lean Academies).
  • Launch Readiness: Partner with GME and PTME to ensure "Lean from the Start." Integrate lean manufacturing principles into the early stages of vehicle engineering programs to ensure seamless, waste-free launches.
  • 5S & Visual Management: Standardize and audit 5S practices to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient work environment where abnormalities are immediately visible.
  • Cross-Functional Mentorship: Coach participants from diverse backgrounds (Finance, HR, Engineering, and Operations) on lean tools, including Yamazumi charts, Spaghetti diagrams, and 5-Why root cause analysis.

Qualifications
You'll Have...
  • Education: Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Engineering - Manufacturing Engineering, BSEE, BSME, BSCE, BSCE, BSIE, Math, Psychics.
  • Experience: 4 or more years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of leading large-scale lean transformations across engineering.
  • Technical Expertise: Deep mastery of Lean tools, specifically:
    • Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Spaghetti Diagramming.
    • Yamazumi (Line Balancing) and Standardized Work.
    • 5S and Visual Factory Management.
    • A3 Problem Solving and Drill-down Trees.
  • Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence at all levels, from shop-floor operators to executive leadership.
  • Travel: up to 50% to other Ford locations.

Even Better You'll Have...
  • Tenure in the automotive manufacturing space
  • Experience delivering training across plant leadership
  • Experience leading high-impact continuous improvement initiatives

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work-life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $112,680-212,760.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship may be available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.
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About Ford

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Doral, FL, US

Year founded

1982