Senior PPI & Industrial Engineer – Spectroscopy Manufacturing

Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

As a Senior PPI & Industrial Engineer supporting our Optical Spectroscopy operations in Madison, WI
, you will serve as a key technical leader driving operational excellence across manufacturing processes for high-precision optical instrumentation. You will develop strategic improvements that improve throughput, reduce cost, strengthen process capability, and support scale-up across both legacy and new product lines. Your expertise will directly increase our ability to deliver innovative solutions to customers worldwide.

• Perform in-depth analysis of manufacturing workflows, equipment utilization, takt-time alignment, and material flow to identify and implement high-impact improvements.
• Lead large-scale Lean initiatives—Kaizen events, value-stream mapping, standard work deployment—to improve efficiency and reduce operational waste.
• Guide long‑term material movement and layout optimization to support growth and scalability.

• Champion the identification, justification, and implementation of automation opportunities including semi‑automated assembly, test automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing tools.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and Product Engineering to integrate process improvements into new and existing systems.

• Own and lead multi‑functional cost‑reduction initiatives focused on labor efficiency, material usage, scrap/rework reduction, and workflow redesign.
• Support technical root‑cause analyses and corrective actions for quality improvements, demonstrating data‑driven methodologies.
• Partner with NPI teams to ensure new product processes are scalable, well detailed, and aligned with manufacturing capabilities in Madison.

• Develop and maintain critical key performance indicators and implement analytics dashboards for cycle time, throughput, yield, WIP, and efficiency.
• Apply statistical methods (DOE, SPC, regression analysis, capability studies) to validate process changes and sustain improvements.
• Present findings and recommendations to site leadership, influencing operational and strategic decisions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred but not required.

• Experience (5+ years) in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or operations engineering within a production environment.
• Shown success leading Lean initiatives and multi‑functional improvement projects.
• Experience with automation technologies, robotics, PLC‑based systems, or test automation preferred.

• Expert‑level understanding of Lean principles, value‑stream mapping, time studies, line balancing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in statistical tools (Minitab, JMP, Excel).
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management abilities, with validated capability to lead teams without direct authority.
• Hands‑on approach, working directly on the manufacturing floor with technicians and engineers.
• Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) is a plus.

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and development opportunities in a global organization that values growth and innovation.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.