Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Operational Excellence Engineer
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
Our location in San Diego, CA currently has an opportunity for an Operational Excellence Engineer. This Operational Excellence Engineer role is within our CMI business unit.This role plays a critical role in driving continuous improvement across the San Diego site. This hands-on position supports and leads initiatives aligned with the Operational Excellence roadmap, including digital transformation, cost reduction, and sustainability. The engineer will work independently and collaboratively across all departments, leading projects and Kaizen events, mentoring Yellow Belt candidates, and embedding Lean principles into daily operations
What You’ll Work On
- Actively support the OpEx roadmap strategy in the plant
- Lead and execute process improvement projects using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
- Deliver Yellow Belt training and mentor candidates through improvement projects
- Facilitate Kaizen events and cross-functional workshops to drive rapid improvements
- Promote visual management and data-driven decision-making across the plant
- Identify and implement lean tools such as standard work, 5S, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, line balancing, and time studies to optimize process flow and eliminate waste
- Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to identify improvement opportunities and drive change
- Support cross-functional projects by assisting with equipment and process validations, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to adapt to evolving business needs
- Monitor, analyze, and report critical OpEx metrics using tools like Power BI
- Assist the organization in the knowledge and understanding of metrics and measurements, which impact the total performance of the plant
- Act as a change agent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline
- Support cost improvement initiatives through lean tools and structured problem-solving
- Ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards in all improvement activities
- Build strong internal relationships and communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
- Other duties as assigned to support evolving business needs
- Understands and is aware of the quality consequences which may occur from the improper performance of their specific job; has awareness of device defects that may occur in their area of responsibility, including product design, verification and validation, manufacturing and testing activities
- Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal/external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company’s policies and practices; build productive internal/external working relationships
- Carries out duties in compliance with established business policies
- Other duties as assigned, according to the changing needs of the business
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations or Science
- 3-5 years of professional work experience
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification (Black Belt preferred)
- Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects
Preferred:
- Experience in the medical device, diagnostics, or healthcare industry, with familiarity in regulated environments (e.g., FDA, ISO 13485)
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification
- Strong presentation and project management skills
- Proficiency in Power BI and data visualization tools
- Experience with fixture design and mistake-proofing (poka-yoke)
- Familiarity with MES or ERP systems
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Change management and stakeholder engagement capabilities
- Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Proactive, self-directed, and highly organized
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future
The base pay for this position is
$79,500.00 – $138,700.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY:
Manufacturing
DIVISION:
CMI ARDx Cardiometabolic and Informatics
LOCATION:
United States > San Diego : 9940 Mesa Rim Road
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
WORK SHIFT:
Standard
TRAVEL:
Not specified
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday), Work in noisy environmentAbbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdfEEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf
