Industrial Engineer Trainee

Position Overview

As a trainee, you will participate 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 entry-level role is the first step of a two-year career ladder trainee program. You will perform assignments in an on-the-job training capacity under direct supervision while learning USPS policies, processes, and procedures. Upon successful completion, targeted outplacement is to a full performance Industrial Engineer (Field) OR (HQ) EAS-21 position. Participation in the program is subject to special eligibility criteria; candidates must not have previously held a USPS career appointment as an Industrial Engineer.

Key Responsibilities

• Performs highly structured, entry-level assignments to develop a broad understanding of Postal Service operations.
• Supports the implementation of standardization programs and processes using industrial engineering and Lean/Continuous Improvement principles to enhance service, productivity, and cost performance.
• Participates in process or value stream mapping exercises and collaborates with cross-functional teams to identify business improvement areas.
• Analyzes service KPIs, staffing productivity, and optimizes workflow and cell designs for improved efficiency, developing standard work procedures.
• Develops and proposes alternatives to improve operating performance, reduce costs, and monitors the implementation of new procedures, reporting on results.
• Monitors and analyzes operations, particularly equipment performance, using national and local reporting metrics.
• Exercises a strong regard for safety and uses appropriate safety equipment. Work may require prolonged standing, walking, bending, stooping, and handling heavy objects. Occasional travel, nights, and weekends may be required for special projects.
• Gains understanding of Lean/Continuous Improvement principles (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen) to meet organizational improvement goals.

Required Qualifications

• 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.
• Understanding of Lean/Continuous Improvement principles (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen) to accomplish improvement goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to prepare reports, provide technical guidance, and make recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software) to create documents, reports, and presentations.
• Ability to optimize and standardize processes by eliminating time waste, non-value added costs, and unnecessary resource usage.
• Skill in compiling, extracting and analyzing data to report findings and determine cost and savings impacts on the organization.
• SPECIAL CONDITION: Willingness to travel and work nights and weekends for special projects.
• SPECIAL CONDITION: Demonstrated passion for conducting Lean projects in a manufacturing environment.
• 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.
• Ability to use industrial engineering tools, technologies, and techniques (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, operations research, simulation, engineering economics, quality control) to enhance the effectiveness of systems, processes, or procedures.