Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance · 2 days ago
Continuous Improvement & Process Engineer
Santa Ana, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$90K/yr - $110K/yr
5+ years expSpectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance (SKDLA) is a nationally recognized leader in restorative dentistry, passionate about helping people smile with confidence. The Continuous Improvement & Process Engineer is responsible for analyzing, standardizing, and improving manufacturing and business processes to enhance flow, efficiency, and quality, while engaging teams in continuous improvement efforts.
Medical Device
Responsibilities
Lead process mapping, value stream mapping, and flow analysis to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement
Conduct time studies, work sampling, and line balancing to establish standards and improve productivity
Design and implement single-piece flow, takt time alignment, and standard work to improve reliability and reduce variation
Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering to optimize facility layouts, equipment utilization, and work cell design
Support deployment of the company’s Operational Excellence framework, driving measurable improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost
Facilitate kaizen events, PDCA cycles, and problem-solving workshops to engage employees in improvement
Use structured methodologies (DMAIC, A3, 8D) to diagnose root causes and drive sustainable corrective actions
Maintain performance visibility through SQDIP boards, KPI dashboards, and daily management systems
Train and coach team members in Lean manufacturing principles (5S, waste reduction, visual management, standard work)
Partner with leaders and operators to develop improvement ideas, document standard work, and sustain gains
Help build a culture of continuous improvement where every employee is a problem solver
Plan and execute improvement and capital projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and metrics
Track progress using visual project tracking and communicate results through concise, data-driven reporting
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support new product introduction (NPI), scaling processes for production readiness
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline
5+ years of experience in process engineering, industrial engineering, or continuous improvement roles
Strong working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles, value stream mapping, and time study techniques
Proven experience leading kaizen events and facilitating team-based improvement initiatives
Hands-on ability to collect and analyze process data and implement changes on the production floor
Proficiency in project management, documentation, and structured problem-solving (PDCA, DMAIC, or A3)
Strong communication, facilitation, and coaching skills to drive engagement and cultural change
Preferred
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent certification a plus
Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (FDA, ISO 13485, AS9100, or similar), preferred
Familiarity with process validation, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and statistical analysis tools, preferred
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
401K: Full-time employees are also eligible to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan with an employer match.
Company
Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance
Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance (SKDLA) is a cooperative network of full-service dental laboratories that have come together to provide high-quality products, dental implant solutions, and world-class esthetics.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Edwin Fajardo
Founder
Company data provided by crunchbase