Industrial Engineer

Accelerating end-to-end manufacturing processes for one of our flagship products

Would you like to contribute to the development of a hightech product, that's radically changing the world of printing? Would you like to get more involved with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous improvement? Then this might be the next step you are looking for

Questions about this position?

Bram Frings, Recruitment, / 

Industrial Engineer – Circular Economy Manufacturing, CEM

40 hours per week, hybrid in Venlo (NL)

What you'll do

As an Industrial Engineer in the Circular Economy Manufacturing (CEM) department, you will drive the transformation from linear to circular operations. You will design and improve processes for remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, component harvesting, and material recovery, ensuring high yield, traceability, and cost effectiveness. You will lead cross-functional initiatives that integrate reverse logistics, design-for-disassembly, lifecycle thinking, and eco-efficiency—delivering measurable impact on sustainability, quality, and total cost of ownership.

This role focuses on designing, optimizing, and safeguarding circular processes across the organization. It involves developing complete end‑to‑end workflows covering intake, diagnostics, disassembly, refurbishment, remanufacturing, repair, testing, and re‑delivery of products. A key responsibility is improving reverse logistics and supporting the creation of closed‑loop material flows in close collaboration with Supply Chain and external suppliers.

The position works closely with R&D to embed Design for Disassembly and Design for Circularity into future products, supported by teardown insights, failure analyses, and structured feedback on reusability. It also includes establishing standards, KPIs, and compliance frameworks to ensure quality, sustainability, and adherence to ISO and EU regulations.

Additionally, the role leads continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Industrial Engineering methods, while supporting digitalization and low‑cost automation within circular operations. As a cross‑functional expert, the role provides training, builds business cases, and drives major implementation projects such as introducing a Repair Program within a Business Line.

Some key bullets;

• Circular process design & optimization; Develop end‑to‑end circular workflows, optimize disassembly and refurbishment lines, and establish process standards.
• Reverse logistics & closed‑loop material flows; Improve return streams, ensure component availability, and support closed‑loop strategies with suppliers.
• Design for Circularity & R&D collaboration; Integrate DfD and circularity principles into new products, supported by teardown insights and reusability data.
• Data, standards & compliance; Define and monitor KPIs, maintain standard work, and ensure compliance with ISO and EU environmental requirements.
• Lean & continuous improvement; Lead Kaizen/A3 initiatives, apply IE methods, and support digital inspection tools and automation.
• Cross‑functional leadership & training

What you bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related. Preferred with a Circular or Sustainable Thesis, but not mandatory.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and circularity environments, including hands-on process optimization.
• Strong competence in Lean Manufacturing, including practical experience with LEAN methodologies and 5S implementation.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification (or equivalent).
• Proven experience in at least one of the following: remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair operations, component harvesting, recycling.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills (A3, DMAIC).
• Proficiency with Power BI for dashboards, yield trends, and KPI reporting.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, circularity-related compliance, and traceability requirements.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional improvement projects.
• Fluent in English, Dutch and German preferred, but not mandatory.

Preferred

• Experience working with R&D/Product Engineering on DfD and Design for Circularity topics.
• Knowledge of ERP/WMS systems (SAP, Dynamics) for reverse flows and serialization.
• Understanding of LCA concepts/tools and circularity metric development.
• Experience leading Lean or Six Sigma improvement projects beyond Green Belt.

What You'll Get From Us

We offer you a challenging job where you collaborate with interdisciplinary and cross-functional teams throughout the value chain and the organization, and deliver direct impact on the way we assembly and manufacture our products. A unique opportunity to enhance world class manufacturing for new products in which the rules have yet to be fully defined. Furthermore we challenge you to develop and enhance a performance driven mindset for a best in class organization.

Besides a challenging working environment, scope for personal and professional development you will receive an interesting package of employment conditions;

• A competitive salary (range €4.300- €6.180 gross per month)
• 38 vacation days
• Extra 13th month pay (8,6%), holiday allowance (8%) and commuting allowance
• Hybrid working for a healthy work-life balance
• A huge range of training and professional development opportunities
• A laptop and smartphone
• An interesting lease (e-)bike plan

What do we stand for?

We develop and manufacture high-tech printing products and workflow software for the commercial printing market as part of Canon, a global leader in imaging technologies. With around 3,300 employees across three continents and our headquarters in Venlo, the Netherlands, we innovate to create high-quality solutions that add color to the world. Guided by the philosophy of Kyosei—living and working together for the common good—our culture is built on openness, collegiality, trust and stability. We empower our people to grow, take initiative, and make an impact.

With our company values collaboration, innovation and ownership, we strive to bring out the best in each other, expand boundaries and feel empowered to take ownership of our work.

Further information about Canon Production Printing is available at

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