Lean Continuous Quality Improvement Engineer

Marketing Statement:

Join WMATA as a Lean Continuous Quality Improvement (LCQI) Engineer!

Are you passionate about driving operational excellence and engineering high-impact solutions? WMATA is seeking a Lean Continuous Quality Improvement (LCQI) Engineer to supervise compliance assessments and lead transformative quality initiatives across our operations and maintenance teams. This is your opportunity to be a change agent designing and implementing systems that elevate performance, safety, and customer satisfaction.

As a resident quality expert, you'll:

• Engineer and deploy innovative quality systems and inspection processes.
• Supervise cross-functional teams to identify and eliminate non-compliances and inefficiencies.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and supply chain teams to ensure top-tier service delivery.
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to drive measurable improvements.
• Influence the future of transit by ensuring our services meet the highest standards.

We're looking for a problem-solver, strategist, and technical leader with:

• A background in mechanical, civil, electrical, or industrial engineering.
• Experience in quality assurance, manufacturing, or industrial engineering.
• Strong skills in data analysis, root cause investigation, and continuous improvement.
• Certifications like CQE, Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), or PMP are highly valued.

This is more than a job...it's a mission to win back customer trust and shape the future of public transportation through quality and innovation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A Bachelor's degree from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredited college or university in mechanical, civil, electrical, industrial engineering, engineering management or related engineering discipline.
  • In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, a high school diploma and four (4) additional years of progressively responsible engineering experience in a Quality Assurance quality, industrial, or manufacturing engineering environment will be considered.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive responsible experience in Quality Assurance, in a quality, industrial, or manufacturing engineering field.

Certification/Licensure

• Possession of a current, valid local motor vehicle operator's license.
• Ability to acquire an American Society of Quality, ISO 9001:YYYY (Where YYYY denotes the most recent version, at the time of print 9001:2015 is most current version) certification within 24 months of hire.
• Ability to acquire an American Society of Quality certification as a Certified Quality Engineer within 18 months of hire.

Preferred

• Possession of a current Professional Engineer certificate is highly preferred.
• Quality Improvement Associate certification.
• Trained or certified in Lean Six Sigma preferably to at least a Green Belt and more preferably a Black Belt certification.
• Project Management Professional certification.

Medical Group:

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

SUMMARY

The Lean Continuous Quality Improvement Engineer plays a vital leadership role in elevating Metro's Quality and Safety standards and embedding a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization. This position oversees and mentors Quality Assurance Senior Associates in the execution of key quality and safety initiatives, including internal reviews, safety assessments, and ad hoc improvement projects. As Metro's subject matter expert in Quality and Safety, the engineer leads root cause analyses, facilitates Corrective Action Plan development, and ensures rigorous compliance with regulatory and internal standards. By championing lean methodologies and data-driven decision-making, the engineer drives operational excellence and process innovation. This role also partners closely with cross-functional teams to align improvement efforts with Metro's strategic objectives, delivering measurable, sustainable outcomes that enhance performance, safety, and customer satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervises and mentors Quality Assurance Senior Associates and enhances their work through deeper data analysis and engineering-based evaluation.
• Oversees task execution, approves time, and enables independent review and coaching.
• Communicates Metro and Quality's continuous improvement mission, vision, and expectations.
• Identifies, analyzes, and improves inefficiencies across Metro's engineering, maintenance, and operations processes using tools like Value Stream Mapping, root cause analysis, and 5S methodology.
• Leads and facilitates Kaizen events and other Lean initiatives to improve workflow, reduce inefficiencies and enhance productivity and services.
• Develops and implements strategies to improve engineering, maintenance, and operations quality, ensure compliance with standards, and reduce defects.
• Collects and analyzes data to track progress, identify trends, and measure the effectiveness of implemented improvements.
• Works with various teams (e.g., engineering, maintenance, and operations) to implement improvements and ensure alignment with Metro's overall strategic goals.
• Provides training and guidance to employees on Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Works with internal stakeholders to document processes, develop standard operating procedures, and ensure standardization of work practices.
• Analyzes data, performance indicators, and system workflows to identify areas for improvement.
• Embeds with Metro engineering, maintenance, and operations groups leading continuous quality assurance activities.
• Continuously challenges the status quo understood as a day-to-day activity in the department/business unit.

Other Functions

• Acts as a change agent for continuous quality improvement opportunities across Metro.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, special projects and/or assignments requested by management to meet the broader needs and requirements of Metro's mission.
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

• The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.