Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer

Company: Astec Industries
Location: Yankton
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description BUILT TO CONNECT At Astec, we believe in the power of connection and the importance of building long-lasting relationships with our employees, customers and the communities we call home. With a team more than 4,000 strong, our employees are our 1 advantage. We invest in skills training and provide opportunities for career development to help you grow along with the business. We offer programs that support physical safety, as well as benefits and resources to enhance total health and wellbeing, so you can be your best at work and at home. Our equipment is used to build the roads and infrastructure that connects us to each other and to the goods and services we use. We are an industry leader known for delivering innovative solutions that create value for our customers. As our industry evolves, we are using new technology and data like never before. We’re looking for creative problem solvers to build the future with us. Connect with us today and build your career at Astec. ABOUT THE POSITION Continuous Improvement engineer works with CI team and develop fact based solutions for field issues and implements solid solutions based on 8D process. In addition lead cost reduction efforts and provide engineering support other departments as needed. Deliverables & Responsibilities · Lead a cross functional to develop solution for field and warranty issues. · Work with product support teams to ensure issues are communicated and addressed. · Work with Quality Improvement teams to contain field quality issues inproduction. · Work with Continuous Improvement engineering to determine testing requirements for cost reduction projects · Lead the QIT team in developing cost reduction projects. · Assist with custom designs requested. · Work with Product Procurement team with product issues. · Work with Product Management Team with special product specifications · Work with test engineers to produce test reports to communicate data, conclusions, and recommendations to other functional areas of projects that will positively affect outcomes · Follow and actively support all company policies and procedures, to include a primary emphasis on safe operations · Follow Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity program guidelines at all times · Follow proper safety procedures at all times · Wear personal protective equipment as required · Clean work area daily · Perform other duties as assigned To be successful in this role, your experience and competencies are: · Three (3) years’ experience in Mechanical engineering role · Four-year Mechanical engineering degree from accredited university · Ability to work satisfactorily as a team member and communicate with all levels within the company · Good communication skills (both verbal and written) · Ability to operate a personal computer and be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite software applications · Ability to handle sudden changes in project/priority and multiple tasks simultaneously in a positive fashion · Ability to set, adjust and change daily priorities · Ability to manage conflict and resolve issues in the most positive fashion for all parties concerned · Ability to identify problems or potential problems at a functional level and make or recommend decisions to resolve the same · Projects strong leadership skills · Good organization and time-management skills · Willingness to accept responsibility and take on new challenges · Ability to use calculator and other standard office equipment (fax, copier, scanner, etc.) · Ability to influence others via communication to get desired results · Accurate data entry/typing and proofreading skills · Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment on a customary and regular basis · Ability to troubleshoot, correct and properly document issues on shop floor is a MUST · Ability to accurately read and interpret a tape measure, engineering drawings and bills of material (BOMs) · Skill in working efficiently and accurately to keep up with production requirements and stay productive with little supervision · Ability to handle multiple projects with multiple priorities · Ability to handle sudden changes in project/priority · Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and AutoCAD, Excel and Word software applications · Capacity to learn quickly, think independently and problem solve with or without guidance provided by Supervisor · Flexible and adaptable in coping with pressures, deadlines, and rapidly changing situations · Ability to handle sudden changes in project/priority and multiple tasks simultaneously in a positive fashion · Willingness to accept responsibility and take on new challenges · Ability to influence others via communication to get desired results · Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgement on a customary and regular basis · Maintain positive, cooperative working relationships by working, acting, and communicating with various personalities getting along with customers, vendors, co-workers and management working both individually and as part of a team · Must express criticisms and concerns in a way that promotes teamwork and a positive work environment · PREFERENCES · Knowledge and application of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) · OTHER REQUIREMENTS · Eighteen (18) years of age or older · Pre-employment drug screen, physical and background check · Dependability · Willingness to train on first shift if required · Willingness to work any shift when needed · Flexibility to work additional hours when required · Occasional travel · Valid driver's license and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle · Willingness to work at either Chattanooga location when required · Ability to provide transportation to and from local destinations when required · Required to carry $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance coverage on any personal vehicle used for company business. Mileage reimbursed through expense reports submitted to the Company's accounting department. · LANGUAGE SKILLS · Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations · Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals · Effectively present information in one-on-one or group situations · MATHEMATICAL SKILLS · Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry · Calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume · Skilled in applying concepts such as ratios and proportions to practical situations · REASONING ABILITY · Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions · Interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables · SAFETY · Astec is dedicated to a culture of Behavior Based SAFETY and a Healthy Environment! · Proficient in promoting safe and healthy work environment · Notify supervisor of product discrepancies or equipment malfunctions · Adheres to established company policies and procedures paying special attention to safety regulations · Report defective materials, equipment, or questionable conditions to the supervisor/manager to identify and correct the root cause · Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with training guidelines · Separate scrap or waste materials for recycling, reuse, or environmentally sound disposal · Maintain cleanliness in designated workspace by practicing 6S principles to reduce safety risks · Attend weekly department safety meeting · Supervisor and Leadership Expectations · Does this role have supervisory or managerial responsibilities? · Does this role have budgetary or program management responsibilities? (must state if manager and above title with no direct reports). · Our Culture and Values · Employees that become part of Astec embody the values below throughout their work. · Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers · Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business · Respect for all individuals · Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation · Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success Travel Requirements: % of travel, regional, international NOTE: This position responsible for certain internal control responsibilities. These internal control responsibilities are verbally communicated to the incumbent and periodic feedback is provided as it relates to the performance of these internal control responsibilities. WORK ENVIRONMENT (Select One) Office While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting including extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Manufacturing Environment Shop manufacturing environment exposures include exposure to moving mechanical parts, machinery, tools and equipment, vibration, fumes or airborne particles, motorized vehicles, welding and machining operations, outside weather conditions and exposure to the risk of electric shock. The employee may occasionally be exposed to varying levels of dirt, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, very warm and/or very chilly temperatures. The noise level in the shop can be very loud at times consistent with an industrial assembly facility and may require hearing protection. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Astec does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.

Keywords: Astec Industries, Sioux Falls , Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineer, Engineering , Yankton, South Dakota