Operational Excellence Engineer — EAF Melt Shop

Build a safer, smarter, lower‑carbon melt shop—one improvement at a time

Base Pay: $105,000–$121,000 + Annual Bonus

Location: Greater Richmond Region, south-central Virginia

Relocation: U.S. relocation assistance available

Our Mission

At Gerdau, sustainability and performance go hand in hand. Up to 96% of our North American steel is made from recycled scrap, placing us among the lowest embodied carbon producers in the U.S. As a financially strong, dividend-paying NYSE company, we invest for the long term—especially in people who turn vision into results.

Imagine This

You’re on the EAF deck at shift change. A quality blip triggers a quick fishbone session; your team isolates the root cause before it becomes a trend. Later, you review CAPEX milestones with stakeholders, then standardize a best practice that will roll across the plant. By day’s end, variation is down, reliability is up, and the safety scoreboard stays green.

How You’ll Create Impact

  • Safety & Reliability: Lead CI projects that enhance safety, quality, productivity, cost control, and asset reliability in the melt shop.
  • Data to Decisions: Analyze production and process data to spot patterns, quantify opportunities, and eliminate recurring losses.
  • Reduce Variation: Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis to stabilize processes and boost performance.
  • Standards & Systems: Develop, implement, and sustain process standards, best practices, and system improvements.
  • Capital Execution: Scope, plan, and support CAPEX projects through installation and start-up.
  • Partnership: Collaborate with production, maintenance, and leadership to optimize equipment and processes plant-wide.
  • Capability Building: Train teams in CI methods and coach on Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, QIS, and Failure Analysis.
  • Strategy & Planning: Support annual business plans, goal deployment, and strategic improvement initiatives.
  • Technical Leadership: Provide expert consulting on process optimization and performance improvement.
  • Compliance: Model a culture of safety and environmental stewardship.

What You’ll Need

  • Bachelor’s in Engineering, Business Administration, Materials Science, or related field with 3–5 years of relevant experience; OR High School Diploma/GED with 6–8 years’ relevant experience.
  • Experience in heavy industrial or process manufacturing with knowledge of standardization and production quality methods.
  • Preferred background in steelmaking and melt shop operations; exposure to scrap processing, melting, casting, rolling, maintenance, or finishing.
  • Demonstrated success delivering CI and process optimization; experience managing/supporting CAPEX.
  • Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and quality improvement methodologies.
  • Strong communication, presentation, coaching, and leadership; able to influence across the organization.

Your Toolkit

  • Data Analysis and Manipulation
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Troubleshooting Skills
  • Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram)
  • Process Engineering
  • Production Optimization
  • Lean Manufacturing Principles
  • Six Sigma Experience
  • Investment Casting (Foundry Operations)
  • Process Development
  • CAPEX
  • Operational reliability
  • Root cause

Tech You’ll Use

  • SAP

Benefits from Day One

  • Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision coverage (eligible on your first day)
  • Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 100% 401(k) match up to 6%
  • Life/AD&D Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Health Advocate Services and Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition Reimbursement Program
  • Career Path system with structured training
  • An empowering, open culture with opportunities to grow and create

Take the Next Step

Ready to lead change, tackle complex challenges, and advance the future of steel manufacturing? Apply today.

Apply
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