Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer

Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer

As a Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer at TravelCenters of America, you will use your root cause analysis, statistical data analysis, and project management skills to identify and lead a portfolio of strategic initiatives to drive operational excellence. You'll identify high-impact opportunities, design scalable solutions, deliver tangible results, and mentor others in Six Sigma and engineering practices. This role requires strategic ownershipthinking big, acting decisively, and taking full accountability for meaningful change, along with the ability to influence and inspire across teams.

Success in this role hinges on your project management and data analytic skills, as well as your business acumen, and ability to connect operational improvements to customer experience and financial performance. You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly and lead others through shifting priorities, and build strong cross-functional relationships to ensure results are delivered and aligned with long-term goals.

Strategic Project Management

• Lead and facilitate complex, cross-functional projects using Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, Scrum and other methodologies to drive measurable results in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee development.
• Manage project portfolios, ensuring timely execution, stakeholder alignment, and sustained impact.
• Support and maintain project ideation and scoping by identifying project goals and plans to meet those goals with regular milestone checkpoints along the way.
• Oversee project resources ensuring the correct tasks are prioritized to meet project timelines.
• Manage project schedules by organizing regular project meetings, coordinating with project team members to ensure that individual tasks are being completed with the master schedule, and preparing regular project status updates to leadership.

Customer & Business Impact

• Utilize advanced data analysis to analyze customer feedback, operational data, and industry benchmarks to identify trends and propose improvement solutions that enhance experience and performance.
• Provide regular executive level reporting of data and actions to measure progress against project objectives. Make data driven optimization recommendations that align with Truck Service strategy.
• Prepare and present regular executive level summaries of project scopes, progress, and risks to ensure barriers are removed, project schedules are maintained, and business goals are realized.

Engineering & Analytical Expertise

• Apply advanced engineering tools (e.g., A3, value stream mapping, process flow mapping, simulation modeling, time studies, resource modeling, quality standards) to ensure projects provide optimal solutions that are sustainable upon successful handoff.
• Identify and support opportunities for automation implementation within new and established processes.
• Serve as an engineering subject matter expert in data analysis and Six Sigma, coaching Truck Service field and support center teams to make data driven decisions.
• Apply engineering methodologies/tools such as process optimization, statistical process control, data profiling and analysis, and resource modeling to identify and lead projects improving Truck Service field and support center operations.
• Effectively facilitate and execute Value Stream Maps and Kaizen Events through all stages (A3 charter ideations/creation, pre-work identification and completion, regular follow-up, and sustainment) to identify areas for improvement. Identify, prioritize, and resource resolutions to close the identified gaps.
• Partner with senior leadership to align improvement efforts with strategic priorities and long-term goals.

Quality & Compliance Leadership

• Facilitate PFMEA or other Risk assessments and lead team in identifying mitigation solutions.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action planning for complex quality and compliance issues.
• Support regulatory and certification efforts, ensuring standards are met and maintained.

Mentorship & Capability Building

• Act as consultant utilizing data backed reasoning and informal influence to lead organizational change.
• Mentor junior engineers, specialists, and/or process owners, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop training materials and lead workshops to build analytical and engineering competencies across the organization.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support safety, risk, and compliance initiatives, prioritizing the "Believe in Zero" safety philosophy.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the continuous improvement mission.

What We'd Like To See

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of related experience in a continuous improvement, project management, or consulting function in a similar industry.
• Preferred certifications include Lean Six Sigma, and cPMP
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana, or Primavera)
• Experience with advanced engineering tools, data visualization platforms, and database programming (e.g., Power BI, Minitab, AutoCAD, Labor Management Systems, SQL, VBA, Python)
• Knowledge of truck service operations, data analytics, industrial engineering and Lean methods.
• Understanding of maintenance and repair solutions and automation types, etc.
• Familiar with fleet management, vehicle maintenance operations, managed transportation networks, and various equipment types (trucks, tractors, trailers).
• Travel requirement is approximately 5075%.
• Valid driver's license

With Us, You'll Enjoy

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company-paid training and advancement opportunities

Our travel centers serve thousands every day; not one traveler is the same and our team must reflect that. We can "return every traveler to the road better than they came" only by understanding and celebrating individualism. TravelCenters of America is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, familial status, ancestry, sex, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, handicap, military service or Veteran status, genetic information or membership in any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law. At TravelCenters of America, we invite everyone to make themselves at home.

This role requires frequent verbal and written communication, strategic planning, and collaboration with field leaders and cross-functional teams. While the role is largely focused on analysis, leadership, and oversight, travel to locations will be required. During site visits, light physical activity such as walking, standing, or navigating shop environments may occur. Lifting or moving objects up to 50 lbs may be required on rare occasions. Visual acuity is essential for reviewing operational data, facilities, and service documentation. All tasks are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

The role is based in a professional environment with standard office conditions. Travel to indoor and outdoor locations will occur, exposing the individual to operational settings such as truck service shops. These environments may include mechanical noise, diesel fumes, moving equipment, and contact with substances typical of commercial vehicle maintenance (e.g., grease, oil). All site visits are conducted in accordance with company safety protocols, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and expected to be used.

This job description may not list all duties for this position. The incumbent in this position may be asked to perform other duties. TA Operating LLC reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either the incumbent or TA Operating LLC may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.