Manufacturing Engineer - Digitization, Automation & Lean Transformation

Burnfoot, Ireland
We are seeking hands-on Manufacturing Engineers to act as on-the-ground transformation agents across EMEA plants. The role combines Industrial Engineering, shopfloor Kaizen, Lean Operating System deployment, practical digitization and targeted automation to unlock capacity, stabilize ramp-ups and deliver validated business benefits. Success means implemented countermeasures, sustained standards and measurable KPI improvement at the Gemba.
Why this role matters

• Shape, not maintain: build systems, standards and capabilities from the ground up across a rapidly scaling manufacturing network.
• Work close to the action: spend most of the time on the factory floor with operators, supervisors, engineers and plant leadership.
• Deliver visible business impact: unlock capacity, stabilize ramp-ups, reduce waste, improve flow and translate improvements into Finance-validated benefits.
• Accelerate the future of operations by connecting Lean, data, MES, automation, material flow and daily management into one practical transformation agenda.

Key responsibilities
Digitization & data-driven operations

• Assess current digital maturity and support site-specific digitization roadmaps linked to operations priorities and business-critical gaps.
• Implement or support MES, digital work instructions, real-time production dashboards, digital standard work and paperless quality systems.
• Enable IoT sensors, machine connectivity, data acquisition and clear data ownership to improve shopfloor visibility and decision-making.
• Establish practical data definitions, governance and daily-use routines so digital tools become part of execution, not just reporting.

Automation & CapEx delivery

• Identify and prioritize automation opportunities using structured ROI, NPV and IRR analysis, including 12% discount-rate assumptions where required.
• Support concepts, specifications, commissioning and handover for robotics, cobots, automated material handling, fixtures, test automation and vision systems.
• Manage or support automation CapEx work from idea through validation, operator training, handover and post-launch stabilization.
• Capture lessons learned and help build automation standards and playbooks that can be replicated across the EMEA network.

Industrial Engineering, Lean & Operational Excellence

• Lead time studies, work measurement, line balancing, takt/capacity calculations, labour optimization, layout and material-flow improvements.
• Lead shopfloor Kaizen events: identify opportunities at Gemba, define scope, run workshops, implement countermeasures and ensure sustainment.
• Translate OPS priorities - capacity increase, cost-out, lead time, delivery, quality losses and productivity - into clear charters with targets, timing and owners.
• Deploy foundational Lean systems: 5S, standard work, visual management, Tier meetings, leader standard work, VSM, DMS and problem-solving routines.
• Apply A3, 8D, PDCA, DMAIC, 5-Why, fishbone and Pareto methods to eliminate waste and prevent recurrence.
• Ramp-up, stabilization & production readiness
• Support new and existing assembly, sub-assembly and test-line ramp-ups through readiness checks, bottleneck removal and daily performance control.
• Create standard work, SOPs, training material, operator certification logic and clear ownership for new or transformed processes.
• Drive rapid issue resolution during new product, transfer, greenfield or acquisition-related ramp-ups and ensure stable handover to plant teams.

Benefits realization, coaching & change management

• Own benefits from baseline to validation: quantify gains, document assumptions and lead Finance sign-off for savings, capacity and productivity impact.
• Coach engineers, supervisors, team leaders and operators in new ways of working so improvements remain owned and sustained by the site.
• Influence without formal authority, overcome resistance constructively and provide clear A3/project updates to plant and EMEA leadership.

What success looks like - first 12 months
Industrial Engineering and digital maturity assessment completed for assigned plants, with prioritized roadmap approved.
Multiple Kaizen or flow-improvement events delivered with validated capacity, productivity, cost, quality or lead-time benefits.
Foundational Lean Operating System elements deployed and sustained: Tier meetings, visual management, standard work and practical problem solving.
At least 1-2 digital or automation pilots delivered or fully business-cased, meeting agreed ROI/NPV/IRR thresholds.
Measurable improvement in at least three KPIs: productivity/VCM, capacity, quality, delivery, safety, inventory accuracy, cost-out or lead time.
Why join us
Build from the ground up - not maintain the status quo.
Direct impact on a rapidly scaling EMEA manufacturing network and a multi-billion-dollar growth story.
Autonomy to design, implement and sustain practical solutions close to the factory floor.
Exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional collaboration across 10 plants.
Career growth as today's engineers become tomorrow's operations leaders.
Required qualifications and experience
Bachelor degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
5+ years of hands-on experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operational Excellence, Lean or manufacturing process improvement.
Proven delivery of measurable improvements in capacity, productivity, cost, lead time, quality losses, safety or ramp-up performance.
Strong Lean foundation: standard work, line balancing, visual management, 5S, VSM, Kaizen and problem solving at Gemba.
Experience with at least two of: MES/digital work instructions, dashboards, automation/robotics, data acquisition, capacity modelling, Lean transformation or DMS.
Hands-on mindset; fluent English and willingness to travel across EMEA.
Preferred profile
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, Lean Leader certification or equivalent proven track record.
Experience in multi-site transformation, consulting, automotive/TPS, high-mix/high-volume, greenfield, turnaround or acquisition integration environments.
Familiarity with PLC/SCADA interfaces, industrial networking, digital twin, simulation, advanced analytics, TPM or dashboard platforms.
Financial acumen to translate operational gains into validated benefits and partner with Finance for sign-off.
Credible shopfloor leader: data-driven, pragmatic, able to coach people and make new standards stick.
Who will thrive in this role
A credible shopfloor leader who can move quickly from strategy to Gemba execution.
A problem solver who is data-driven but pragmatic, and who values implemented results over presentations.
A coach who can bring plant teams along, create ownership and make new standards stick.
A high-accountability professional who can work across functions and plants without waiting for perfect conditions.
Initial deployment focus
Work initially across 2-3 assigned plants, partnering with Plant, AME, ME, Automation, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance teams.
Prioritize high-impact opportunities linked to capacity unlock, flow improvement, labour productivity, digital maturity, ramp-up risk and cost-out.
Create repeatable standards, playbooks and training content so improvements can scale across the EMEA manufacturing network.
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ABOUT THE TEAM
Equal Opportunity Employer
We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.
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