Manufacturing Systems Optimization Engineer

The Scharine Group Inc, a leading manufacturer of custom material handling equipment in Whitewater, Wisconsin, invites a results‑driven engineer to elevate how work flows across our operations.

A day in the role

You start your morning reviewing KPI dashboards and yesterday’s run data, spotting a bottleneck that added five minutes to a critical assembly cell. By mid‑morning you’re on the floor conducting a time study and mapping the workflow. After lunch, you model layout alternatives with capacity and forecasting inputs to validate throughput gains. You close the day by documenting a new standard work sequence and aligning with production, quality, supply chain, and design engineering on the rollout plan—complete with projected cost savings.

What you’ll tackle

• Diagnose current processes with time studies, workflow mapping, and data modeling to pinpoint improvement opportunities
• Design and deploy optimized layouts, processes, and systems that lift throughput and reduce operating cost
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement projects across manufacturing
• Author and sustain SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation
• Apply simulation, forecasting, and capacity modeling to guide strategic planning and resource allocation
• Mine operational data to uncover trends, root causes, and performance gaps
• Collaborate with production, quality, supply chain, and engineering to deliver durable improvements
• Advance automation, digital transformation, and technology integration initiatives
• Serve as the in‑house expert on material moving equipment, including tuggers, automated guided vehicles (AGV), and autonomous mobile robots (AMR)
• Enhance ergonomics, safety, and flow using human‑factors engineering
• Track KPIs and communicate outcomes, cost reductions, and productivity gains

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field
• Sharp analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Hands‑on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies
• Strength in data interpretation, model building, and presenting insights to stakeholders
• Clear communication and disciplined project management skills

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher)
• CAD familiarity for layout design
• Background in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, or operations settings

How we’ll measure success

• Quantified reductions in cost, waste, and cycle time
• Higher throughput, improved quality, and steadier operations
• Trusted partnerships and influence across functions
• Well‑maintained documentation and standardized processes
• End‑to‑end leadership of improvement projects—from concept through implementation

Tools and methods you’re fluent in

• Data analysis and manipulation
• Continuous improvement
• 5 Why (root cause analysis)
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Process engineering
• Production optimization
• Lean manufacturing principles
• Process development