Continuous Improvement Fabrication Specialist
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Pay: $28.00–$38.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications. Highly qualified candidates may be considered above the posted range. If your compensation expectations fall outside this range but your experience strongly aligns with the position, we encourage you to apply.
The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for supporting safe, sustainable, and measurable improvements across manufacturing and operational processes. This is a hands-on role that combines continuous improvement principles with welding, fabrication, equipment setup, workstation modification, and shop-floor implementation.
The Continuous Improvement Specialist works closely with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and other team members to identify opportunities, implement practical solutions, reduce waste, improve workflow, enhance safety and quality, and increase overall operational efficiency.
Success in this position is measured by the effective execution and sustainability of improvement initiatives and demonstrated gains in productivity, quality, cost, safety, organization, and process efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform hands-on and physical tasks associated with continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives.
- Weld, fabricate, drill, cut, assemble, and modify materials, parts, and components required for improvement projects.
- Design, build, modify, and install customized fixtures, tables, stands, carts, racks, workstations, storage systems, and other process-improvement aids.
- Set up and install basic equipment, fixtures, tools, and machinery associated with new process implementations.
- Construct and assemble work aids such as carts, tool stands, shadow boards, material storage solutions, and workstation accessories.
- Install and maintain visual management systems, including production boards, signage, labels, floor markings, and other Lean visual controls.
- Mark aisles, work zones, storage areas, and designated safety areas using floor tape, signage, paint, or other approved methods.
- Assist with manufacturing floor layout changes, workstation upgrades, and other physical process modifications.
- Ensure proper setup, placement, alignment, and functionality of newly installed fixtures, tools, and work aids.
- Operate machinery, welding equipment, power tools, hand tools, and measuring equipment for which training and authorization have been provided.
- Assist with testing and troubleshooting newly implemented workstations, fixtures, tools, and process improvements.
- Work directly with employees, supervisors, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate improvement concepts into practical shop-floor solutions.
- Participate in and physically support Kaizen events and other structured continuous improvement activities.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve material flow, increase productivity, improve workplace organization, and enhance safety.
- Support 5S and workplace organization initiatives.
- Help standardize successful improvements to promote consistency and long-term sustainability.
- Collaborate with team members to ensure improvement projects are completed safely, accurately, and on schedule.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas throughout project execution.
- Follow all company safety procedures, PPE requirements, and established operating practices.
- Perform additional continuous improvement, fabrication, and operational support duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Minimum of 1 year of welding, fabrication, manufacturing, or related industrial experience.
- Hands-on experience with GMAW/MIG welding, including flat and out-of-position welding.
- Experience safely operating common power tools and hand tools.
- Experience using measuring tools and the ability to accurately read a tape measure.
- Ability to perform basic shop and manufacturing math.
- Mechanical aptitude and ability to build, assemble, modify, and install physical components.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned projects.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Effective time-management skills with the ability to meet project and production deadlines.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Preferred
- MIG welding certification.
- TIG welding certification or TIG welding experience.
- Vocational, technical, or trade-school education in welding, fabrication, manufacturing, or a related field.
- Experience working in a Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement environment.
- Familiarity with Lean tools and concepts such as 5S, Kaizen, visual management, waste reduction, standard work, and workplace organization.
- Experience fabricating or modifying workstations, carts, racks, fixtures, storage systems, or similar manufacturing equipment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Hands-on welding and fabrication capabilities.
- Ability to translate improvement ideas into practical physical solutions.
- Strong mechanical and troubleshooting abilities.
- Ability to recognize workflow, organization, safety, and efficiency improvement opportunities.
- Creative and resourceful approach to solving manufacturing-floor challenges.
- Ability to work effectively with production employees, supervisors, maintenance personnel, engineers, and operational leadership.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and adjust to changing operational needs.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision while maintaining appropriate communication with stakeholders.
- Commitment to producing safe, durable, functional, and sustainable improvements.
Physical & Work Requirements
- Ability to work safely in an active manufacturing and fabrication environment.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, climb, and work in various positions as required.
- Ability to safely lift, carry, push, and pull materials, tools, and equipment as required by the position.
- Ability to safely operate welding, fabrication, power, and hand tools after appropriate training and authorization.
- Ability to wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to work around welding fumes, sparks, noise, machinery, moving equipment, and other conditions commonly found in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace.
Work Environment
This position is primarily performed in a manufacturing and production environment and requires significant hands-on involvement on the shop floor. The employee will regularly work alongside production, maintenance, engineering, and operations personnel while executing continuous improvement projects.
The role requires an individual who is equally comfortable identifying an improvement opportunity and physically helping build and implement the solution.
Please email your resume or any questions to amanix@blackrockres.com
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