Industrial Engineer Trainee

Functional Purpose:
As a trainee, participates in industrial engineering programs to improve service and cost performance through direct involvement in mail processing, delivery, transportation, maintenance and/or customer service operations. This is the first
level of a two-step, two year career ladder trainee program through which the trainee moves as he or she acquires increasingly more complex levels of competence in all areas of USPS operations. At this level, incumbents perform
assignments in an on-the-job training capacity under direct supervision while learning USPS policies, process and procedures and developing job-related knowledge, skills and abilities. Upon successful completion of the program, targeted outplacement is to a full performance Industrial Engineer (Field) OR (HQ) EAS-21 position. Participation in this program is subject to special eligibility criteria. To be eligible, candidates must not have previously held a USPS career appointment as an Industrial Engineer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Performs highly structured, entry-level assignments designed to develop a broad understanding of Postal Service operations.
2. Supports the implementation of standardization programs and processes to postal operations using industrial engineering and Lean / Continuous Improvement principles to improve service, productivity and cost performance.
3. Participates in process or value stream mapping exercises and collaborates with cross-functional teams in order to determine and identify business improvement areas.
4. Performs analysis of service KPIs, staffing productivity, etc. to promote the effective use of resources within given objectives, variables and constraints. Optimizes work flow and cell designs for improved efficiency. Develops standard work procedures.
5. Develops and proposes alternatives to improve operating performance and reduce costs; monitors and evaluates the implementation of new procedures and reports on results.
6. Monitors and analyzes operations (specifically equipment performance) using national and local reporting metrics to improve service, productivity, and cost performance.
7. Exercises a normal regard for the safety of self and others; uses safety equipment such as eye safety glasses and hearing protection. Because work is performed primarily in a processing plant or field setting employees may be subject to prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and handling heavy objects (e.g., tools and equipment). In addition, employees may be requested to travel and work nights and weekends for special projects.
8. Gains understanding of Lean / Continuous Improvement principles (i.e., Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen process) to accomplish the improvement goals for the organization.

Requirements:
1. Knowledge of industrial engineering theory, principles, techniques and practices related to layout planning, work simplification, process analysis, work measurement, quality control, ergonomics and material handling.
2. Knowledge of and understanding of Lean / Continuous Improvement principles (i.e., Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen process) to accomplish the improvement goals for the organization.
3. Ability to communicate orally and in writing sufficient to prepare reports and, give technical guidance and make recommendations.
4. Skill using Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software to create documents, reports and presentations.
5. Ability to optimize and standardize processes through elimination of time, waste, non-value added costs, and other resources.
6. Ability to compile, extract and analyze data and report results of findings to determine cost and savings impacts on the organization
7. SPECIAL CONDITION: Willingness to travel and work nights and weekends for special projects.
8. SPECIAL CONDITION: Willingness and genuine passion for conducting Lean projects in a manufacturing environment.
9. MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must possess a Bachelor's or graduate degree in an industrial engineering or professional engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation
Commission (EAC) of ABET by JUNE 12, 2026. Preference eligible veterans qualify with a valid license as a Professional Engineer and six (6) years of professional industrial engineering experience.
10. Ability to use industrial engineering tools, technologies, and techniques (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, operations research, simulation, engineering economics, quality control) to increase the effectiveness of systems, processes, or procedures such
as, work methods, productivity, measurement of work results.