Lean Manufacturing Engineer

About the Opportunity :

We're excited to recruit a Lean Manufacturing Engineer on behalf of Thales, a global leader in high-tech solutions for defense, aerospace, and transportation. Based in Hengelo, you’ll join a dynamic environment where innovation, teamwork, and improvement are more than just buzzwords, they’re part of everyday life.

This position is part of the Improvement Team within the Supply Chain organization : a support department at the very heart of Thales’ industrial transformation journey.

With over 450 colleagues, the Supply Chain team is responsible for delivering high-technology systems on time and to the highest standards. But they don’t stop there, they continuously improve to meet and exceed customer satisfaction.

As a Lean Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping the Thales of tomorrow.

What You'll Be Doing :

As a change leader, you’ll work hands-on with operational managers and their teams to implement Lean methodologies and tools. Your work is primarily on the shop floor; identifying opportunities, guiding improvements, and building trust with both operational staff and leadership.

You’ll also be involved in team meetings to share progress, solve problems collaboratively, and align project stakeholders. Every environment is unique, and that’s exactly what you thrive on, adapting Lean to suit the real-world context of each team and always keeping the customer in focus.

Your key responsibilities will include :

• Analyzing current workflows and proposing optimized future-state designs aligned with Thales’ Lean strategy
• Co-implementing Lean standards with operational teams
• Coaching and training teams to build sustainable Lean capabilities
• Actively contributing to team development and suggesting ways to enhance team performance

What We're Looking For :

We're searching for someone who not only has the technical skills but the mindset and energy to lead change. Ideally, you hold a Master's degree in an industrial-related field, and you bring experience in Lean transformation within an industrial context.

That said, your drive to make an impact is what truly sets you apart.

You’re communicative, collaborative, and open to new ways of working. You speak fluent English and thrive in an international, high-performance environment.

You bring knowledge of :

What Thales Offers :

Interested?

If you're ready to take the next step in your Lean journey and want to be a driving force in one of the world’s most innovative environments—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now or reach out to us directly for more information. We're recruiting this role on behalf of Thales Netherlands, and we’d be happy to guide you through the process.