Mechanical Engineer

Company Overview

AXEL Christiernsson (including Axel Royal LLC) is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance lubricating greases. With roots dating back more than 135 years, the company serves major industrial customers through specialized private-label and proprietary grease technologies. U.S. operations include manufacturing and packaging facilities focused on quality, reliability, and continuous operational improvement.

Position Summary

We are seeking a mid-senior level Industrial Engineer to lead facility process mapping, efficiency modeling, workflow design, and broader facility improvement projects. This role focuses on optimizing production flows, reducing waste, improving throughput and capacity utilization, and supporting sustainable operational excellence across manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate brings solid progressive experience in industrial or manufacturing engineering and is comfortable working both analytically and hands-on in a plant environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain current- and future-state process maps, value stream maps, and workflow analyses for production, packaging, material handling, and supporting processes.
• Build and use efficiency and capacity models (including discrete-event simulation or equivalent analytical methods) to evaluate layouts, bottlenecks, staffing, equipment utilization, and improvement scenarios.
• Design and implement workflow, layout, and material-flow improvements that increase throughput, reduce cycle time, improve labor efficiency, and support safety and quality goals.
• Lead and facilitate continuous improvement projects, kaizen events, and cross-functional teams using Lean and structured problem-solving methods.
• Support capital and facility projects by providing process, layout, and capacity input from concept through implementation and start-up.
• Analyze production and operational data to identify opportunities, quantify benefits, and track results of improvement initiatives.
• Develop and update standard work, process documentation, and best-practice recommendations.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and QHSE teams to ensure improvements are practical, sustainable, and aligned with overall plant objectives.
• Provide technical support for process standardization efforts across sites when required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 5–10+ years of progressive experience in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or continuous improvement roles within a manufacturing environment (process or batch manufacturing preferred).
• Demonstrated experience with process mapping, value stream mapping, workflow design, plant layout, and efficiency/capacity modeling.
• Hands-on application of Lean manufacturing tools and structured problem-solving.
• Strong analytical, data analysis, and project-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively on the plant floor and with cross-functional teams.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification (or equivalent demonstrated experience).
• Experience in process industries such as chemicals, lubricants, greases, specialty chemicals, or similar batch/continuous manufacturing.
• Familiarity with Autoworks, AutoCad, FEA, or similar software.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations or standardization projects.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MES systems and manufacturing data analysis.
• Prior experience in facilities that operate under ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems.
• Familiarity with safety and environmental considerations in process improvement work.

Additional Information

This role is based at the Tulsa manufacturing facility and will involve regular interaction with plant operations. Candidates should be comfortable in an industrial manufacturing environment and able to balance analytical work with practical implementation. The posted salary range reflects the mid-senior level of the position and will be calibrated to the candidate’s experience, technical depth, and demonstrated results.

Job Type: Full-time

Base Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person