Senior Industrial Engineer

Company Overview

Utility Concrete Products (UCP) is a leading provider of precast concrete solutions. UCP specializes in producing high-quality utility manholes, sound walls, water retention systems, earth retention systems, and an array of other specialized infrastructure products. The company has built it’s reputation on doing whatever it takes to meet the customer’s needs, while still maintaining high quality standards. UCP is dedicated to continuous improvement and optimizing manufacturing processes to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers. The company is experiencing aggressive growth, and the team is looking for high performing individuals who can help the company lead the precast concrete industry in cutting edge manufacturing processes and technologies.

The Mission

The Industrial Engineer plays a critical role in supporting and optimizing our daily precast concrete production operations. Working in a dynamic 50/50 office and plant floor environment, this role involves directly observing processes, gathering data, and implementing improvements to increase throughput, efficiency, and safety. You will work hands-on with production teams to troubleshoot issues and assist in modernizing our manufacturing capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and oversee comprehensive time study programs, utilizing data to dictate high-level operational strategy.
• Architect, develop, and manage complex production routings across multiple high-mix product categories.
• Drive major engineering initiatives to assess and overhaul production processes, achieving significant, measurable increases in capacity and throughput.
• Lead facility-wide value stream mapping to radically improve material flow and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Design and execute large-scale production cell layout transformations and facility expansions.
• Serve as the final technical authority in finished product rework dispositioning and systemic root-cause resolution.
• Standardize and author company-wide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for rework and production.
• Spearhead and manage capital projects aimed at automating manual production processes, from business case development to vendor selection and commissioning.
• Act as the primary champion for sourcing, evaluating, and deploying cutting-edge manufacturing technologies (e.g., advanced metrology, IoT, robotics) to elevate process safety and efficiency.
• Establish robust governance and master data management systems for forms and form liners.
• Mentor and develop junior engineering talent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required Education & Technical Skills:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (Master's degree or MBA is a strong advantage).
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive engineering experience in a heavy manufacturing, high-mix/low-volume, or precast concrete environment.
• Design: Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or other like software packages
• Systems: Advanced proficiency in ERP/MES systems and data visualization tools.
• Hard Skills: Advanced expertise in Lean Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred), SMED, and 5S. Proven track record of managing and executing capital projects, specifically related to industrial automation and facility layout. Exceptional leadership and project management skills, with the ability to bridge the gap between executive strategy and plant floor execution.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with both plant floor personnel and management.
• Mindset: A natural, self-motivated, leader with the ability to communicate effectively with both executive leadership and skilled plant personnel while also driving a strong culture of continuous improvement.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This is not a "desk-only" job. You will spend roughly 50% of your time on the plant floor. You must be comfortable navigating a heavy industrial environment, which includes proximity to overhead cranes, batch plants, and large curing forms.