Mechanical Engineer

Operational Excellence Engineer

Location: Fairfield, OH

Travel: Yes, up to 25%

Department: Operational Excellence

Reports to: Director, Operational Excellence

Type: Full-time

Overview

The Operational Excellence Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the technical documentation that supports safe, efficient, and standardized field operations. This role serves as the bridge between Engineering, Manufacturing, HSE, Service, and Field Operations to ensure that operational procedures accurately reflect product design, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

The primary responsibility of this position is the creation and management of Operational Work Instructions, Job Hazard/Risk Assessments, technical procedures, and product documentation that enable field personnel to perform work safely, consistently, and efficiently. The role also supports continuous improvement initiatives by capturing lessons learned and incorporating operational feedback into standardized documentation.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Documentation

• Develop detailed Operational Work Instructions (OWIs) for installation, commissioning, maintenance, inspection, lifting operations, and service activities.
• Create standardized procedures using approved document templates and company standards.
• Produce clear technical illustrations, photographs, and step-by-step instructions to improve usability.
• Maintain document revision history and configuration control.

Risk Assessment & HSE Integration

• Perform Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and operational risk assessments for field activities.
• Integrate hazard controls and mitigation measures into work instructions.
• Ensure documentation complies with company HSE policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support HSE audits and corrective action initiatives related to operational procedures.

Technical Documentation

• Develop and revise technical procedures, inspection checklists, maintenance instructions, commissioning guides, and troubleshooting documentation.
• Update product manuals to reflect engineering changes, field improvements, and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with Product Engineering to ensure documentation accurately represents current product configurations.
• Maintain technical document libraries and document control systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, HSE, Service, and Training teams.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure serviceability and operational considerations are incorporated early in product development.
• Gather feedback from field technicians to improve documentation and operational processes.
• Support new product introductions by creating operational documentation before deployment.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve documentation quality, standardization, and usability.
• Analyze operational feedback, incident reports, and audit findings to enhance procedures.
• Assist with the development of best practices and standardized work methods.
• Support Operational Excellence initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and reliability.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3–7 years of engineering, technical documentation, field operations, or service experience.
• Strong technical writing and document development skills.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies, including JHA, JSA, and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and document management systems.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks CAD software.

Preferred

• Experience in heavy equipment, cranes, lifting systems, wind energy, construction, or industrial equipment.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems and document control.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and HSE management systems.
• Experience with illustration, CAD, or technical publishing software.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.

Key Competencies

• Technical Writing
• Engineering Documentation
• Risk Assessment
• Operational Planning
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Process Standardization
• Continuous Improvement
• Project Management
• Safety Leadership
  

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Quality, accuracy, and completeness of operational documentation.
• Timely delivery of work instructions supporting new products and field operations.
• Reduction in procedural errors and documentation-related field issues.
• Positive audit results and documentation compliance.
• Incorporation of field feedback into continuous document improvements.
• Increased operational consistency and safety through standardized procedures.
  

What Liftra Offers

• Opportunity to work with innovative self-hoisting crane and lifting technologies.
• Collaboration with experienced engineering, service, and product teams.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Meaningful work supporting renewable energy and heavy lifting industries.

At Liftra, we design, engineer, manufacture and deliver tailor-made solutions for special lifting and transportation tasks and turnkey equipment for select turbine models. We strive to develop solutions that are both technically and economically attractive by approaching each project with an agile mindset and a readiness to conform to the specific needs of the task in question.