---
title: 'Continuous Improvement Engineer at Industrial Electric Manufacturing'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/continuous-improvement-engineer-industrial-electric-manufacturing-surrey-ya6tk9he1y0a'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Continuous Improvement Engineer at Industrial Electric Manufacturing

- **Company:** Industrial Electric Manufacturing
- **Location:** Surrey British Columbia, Canada
- **Posted:** 2026-07-31
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/industrialelectricmanufacturing/jobs/4341828009

## Job description

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

Reports To: Continuous Improvement Manager

At IEM, we’re not just growing – we're thriving! Our rapid expansion means new opportunities are always on the horizon. If you’re someone who gets excited by making an impact through interesting challenges, you’ll feel right at home.

Purpose of the Position:

IEM is currently seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer for our Surrey, B.C. locations and will report to our Continuous Improvement Manager. Join our transformation journey as a lean professional supporting kaizen activities, standard work documentation, and data-driven process improvement. This is a hands-on role ideal for candidates with a passion for lean manufacturing and a desire to grow in a structured CI environment.

Please note: This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey offices and does not offer remote work.

Key Responsibilities:

Facilitate Kaizen Events & Projects

- Lead and co-lead kaizen events on assigned production lines: standard work design, line balancing, Daily Management setup, visual controls, 5S, SMED, error-proofing
- Plan kaizen events with the CI Manager/E3 engineer; facilitate problem-solving sessions with cross-functional teams
- Conduct basic value stream mapping and process analysis to identify improvement opportunities on your assigned area
- Develop and implement standard work: work sequences, takt time calculations, operator job aids, visual standards
- Track project progress; report status, blockers, and results weekly

Analyze Data & Find Root Causes

- Conduct time studies and bottleneck analysis to identify where work is unbalanced or adding no value
- Make data-driven recommendations; test ideas before rolling out full implementations
- Present findings clearly to leadership team.

Implement & Sustain Changes

- Work with operations teams to implement standard work and visual controls on your assigned line
- Set up Daily Management huddles (if not already in place); support the team in running consistent, disciplined meetings
- Audit standard work compliance and Daily Management discipline; identify barriers to adoption
- Coach operators and supervisors on how to follow standards and escalate problems quickly
- Support the E3 engineer in sustaining improvements; investigate why changes sometimes fall apart

Build Capability & Support the Team

- Train operations on systematic problem-solving methods (PDCA, root cause thinking) during your projects
- Coach supervisors and operators on lean principles: visual management, flow thinking, waste elimination
- Support the E3 engineer on larger, multi-line improvement initiatives; learn how to think strategically about problems
- Document standard work and best practices clearly so others can follow them
- Participate in plant-wide improvement initiatives and best-practice sharing

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent demonstrated experience)
- 3–5 years in manufacturing or operations environment
- Co-led or led 3+ kaizen events or improvement projects; hands-on experience with standard work or line balancing preferred
- Demonstrated success implementing and sustaining changes in manufacturing environments
- Comfort working on the production floor with operators and supervisors

Technical Skills

- Solid understanding of Lean Manufacturing fundamentals: value stream mapping, takt time, line balancing, pull systems, standard work, visual management, 5S
- Knowledge of process improvement methodologies: PDCA, A3 problem solving, root-cause analysis (5-why)
- Comfortable with production data and basic analysis: can pull cycle times, read pareto charts, spot bottlenecks
- Understanding of Daily Management basics: how huddles work, what metrics matter, how to track and close action items
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and basic data visualization; comfortable creating charts and dashboards

Collaboration & Communication

- Strong communication: can explain problems and solutions clearly to frontline workers and engineers
- Collaborative mindset; you work well with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain
- No-blame focus: you approach problems by improving the process, not blaming people
- Detail-oriented: you document clearly, follow through on commitments, and notice when standards aren't being met
- Coachable: you take feedback well and want to learn from your E3 engineer and senior leaders

Mindset

- Passion for continuous improvement; you believe small improvements add up to big results
- Curiosity: you ask good questions and dig deeper when something doesn't add up
- Adaptability: you're comfortable in a dynamic manufacturing environment with changing priorities
- Resilience: you stay focused when improvements take longer than expected or don't work the first time

Core Competencies

- Lean Fundamentals: You understand takt time, line balance, standard work, visual controls, and how they fit together
- Problem-Solving: You use data to find problems, not guesses; you understand root cause vs. symptoms.
- Project Execution: You follow through; you track progress, hit timelines, and communicate status clearly.
- Data Fluency: You're comfortable with spreadsheets, basic statistics, and using data to make decisions.
- Collaboration: You work well across functions; you listen to ops and engineering perspectives and find common ground.
- Teaching & Coaching: You can explain lean concepts to people with different experience levels; you make others better.
- Attention to Detail: You notice when standards slip; you care about consistency and documentation.
- Resilience: You're okay with things not working perfectly the first time; you learn and adapt.

Success metrics (year 1)

- Lead or co-lead 6–8 kaizen events/improvement projects on your assigned line(s); each delivers measurable results
- Standard work compliance on your area: 85%+ — operators understand and follow the sequences and timing
- Daily Management adoption: 95%+ — your assigned line runs consistent huddles, tracks metrics, closes action items
- Analyze and present at least 3 data-driven improvement opportunities using time studies, bottleneck analysis, or process mapping
- Train operations to run basic problem-solving; they can use PDCA thinking on small improvements
- Deliver measurable results from your improvement projects: reduced cycle time, better line balance, lower defects, improved on-time delivery
- Be ready to support larger initiatives led by your E3 engineer; demonstrate capability to scale to more complex projects

## LOCATION & LOGISTICS

- 100% on-site in Surrey, BC. No remote work.
- Manufacturing floor presence required; you'll spend significant time observing, working with operators, and facilitating improvements.
- Travel to support multi-site best-practice sharing or kaizen events.

## COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

- Compensation ranges from $38.94 - 46.63/hr CAD

## Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

Recruiting Scams

Beware of recruiting scams. IEM never charges candidates fees, and all recruiter emails come from an @iemfg.com address. If you suspect fraudulent activity, do not share personal information and report it to us at [iemfg.com/contact](https://www.iemfg.com/contact/)

Non-Discrimination Statement

IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

Privacy

Information collected and processed as part of your IEM Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to IEM's [Workforce Member Privacy Policy.](https://www.iemfg.com/ccpa/)

## About Industrial Electric Manufacturing

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: IEM designs and manufactures custom low- and medium-voltage electrical power distribution equipment, switchgear, and integrated power infrastructure at scale for critical industries.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately held corporation)
- **Headquarters**: Fremont, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1950
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (founded on a family ranch in Fremont, CA)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Industrial electrical manufacturing, power distribution equipment, switchgear, and critical power infrastructure.
- **Target customers**: B2B, serving large-scale enterprises and institutions across Technology & Data Centers, Commercial & Real Estate, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial & Manufacturing, and Infrastructure & Public Services.
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all." IEM partners with customers to plan, engineer, and deliver the future of power, offering the flexibility to meet complex technical requirements and the scale to support ambitious projects. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Low Voltage Switchboards (UL 891)**: Customizable electrical distribution boards for commercial and industrial applications.
- **Low Voltage Switchgear (UL 1558)**: Robust, fully-rated switchgear for critical power distribution.
- **Low Voltage Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) (UL 1008)**: Reliable power switching for backup generator systems.
- **Low Voltage Fully Integrated Switchboards**: Combined switchboard and distribution solutions.
- **Panelboards (UL 67)**: Standard and custom panelboard solutions.
- **Medium Voltage Metal-Clad Switchgear**: High-reliability switchgear for medium voltage applications.
- **Medium Voltage Metal-Enclosed Switchgear**: Durable, enclosed switchgear for demanding environments.
- **Medium Voltage Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)**: Medium voltage power switching solutions.
- **Medium Voltage 38 kV Switchgear**: High-voltage switchgear for utility and large-scale applications.
- **Unit Substations**: Integrated substation solutions for power distribution.
- **VESTA Arc-Resistant Switchgear**: Arc-resistant medium voltage switchgear for enhanced safety.
- **Integrated Products (PDU, RPP, Walk-In Enclosures, Custom Assemblies)**: Power distribution units, remote power panels, and custom enclosures for data centers and critical facilities.
- **Field Services**: On-site startup, commissioning, and emergency repair services for power systems, supported by a dedicated team of 100+ field service technicians. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/134/IEM_Corporate_Brochure_Long_2025-09-02-compressed.pdf)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (privately held)
- **Key Metric**: Over $1 billion in annual sales (as of 2025/2026). [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/134/IEM_Corporate_Brochure_Long_2025-09-02-compressed.pdf)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Privately held; key customers include Hewlett-Packard, Amazon, Apple, and NASA. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Approximately 4,800 employees in North America, a 340% increase since 2022.
  - Quadrupled North American manufacturing footprint since 2022, investing over $100 million in advanced manufacturing equipment.
  - 21 major locations in the U.S., Canada, and Belgium.
  - No. 50 on the 2026 Inc. Regionals list (Pacific).
  - No. 1: First Coast’s Largest Manufacturing Companies (Jacksonville Business Journal).
  - Top 30: Largest Manufacturers in the Greater Bay Area (San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal). [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/202/IEM_Company_Brief_2026.pdf)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Custom at Scale**: Combines the flexibility to meet unique technical requirements with the capacity and experience to support demanding project schedules at scale, a rare combination in the industry.
- **75+ Year Track Record**: A proven history of reliability and innovation, including pioneering work in CAD/CAM systems and commercial switchgear, and powering the rise of Silicon Valley.
- **Deep Industry Partnerships**: Strong, long-term relationships with commercial and industrial tech leaders like Hewlett-Packard, Amazon, Apple, and NASA. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)
- **Superior Quality & Testing**: Products are rigorously tested beyond industry standards (UL, ANSI, IEEE, NEMA, seismic) to guarantee long-term reliability.
- **Massive Scale & Capacity**: 1.5M+ square feet of production capacity, 21 major locations, and over $1 billion in annual sales, enabling them to handle the largest and most complex projects.

## Strategic Focus
- **Rapid Expansion**: Aggressively scaling manufacturing capacity and headcount (340% increase since 2022) to meet surging demand from data centers, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
- **Field Service Network Growth**: Expanding a network of field service offices across North America to provide faster, local support for customers.
- **Innovation in Power Infrastructure**: Continuing to develop advanced products like arc-resistant switchgear and integrated power solutions for next-generation data centers and critical facilities.
- **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring across engineering, field service, and manufacturing roles to support growth, with a focus on building a skilled workforce through "IEM University" for continuous learning. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)

## Why Work Here
- **Impactful Work**: Employees contribute to powering the world’s most critical infrastructure, including data centers for tech giants like Amazon and Apple, and projects for NASA.
- **Strong Benefits**: 100% coverage of employee-level medical, dental, and vision benefits; 401(k) with employer match (no vesting schedule); HSA contributions; tuition reimbursement; and opportunity for quarterly bonuses. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)
- **Growth & Development**: "IEM University" provides continuous learning resources, personalized development plans, and role-specific programs. The company promotes from within and offers clear career paths.
- **Culture**: Described as a collaborative community where "listening works" and success comes through teamwork. Emphasizes curiosity, diverse perspectives, and an inclusive, forward-thinking workplace.
- **Work Policy**: Roles range from on-site (manufacturing, engineering labs) to remote (e.g., Power Solution Architect, Lead Electrical Design Engineer). Flexible shifts are available in some locations. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)
- **Notable Perks**: 100% coverage of employee-level medical, dental, and vision; quarterly bonus opportunity; tuition reimbursement; on-the-job training. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)

## Sources
1. [IEM Corporate Website](https://www.iemfg.com/)
2. [IEM Careers Page](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/)
3. [IEM Company Brief (PDF)](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/202/IEM_Company_Brief_2026.pdf)
4. [IEM Corporate Brochure (PDF)](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/134/IEM_Corporate_Brochure_Long_2025-09-02-compressed.pdf)
5. [IEM Job Board (Greenhouse)](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/industrialelectricmanufacturing)

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