Continuous Improvement Specialist

ALTEN Technology USA; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ALTEN Technology USA, a leading engineering services provider, seeks a Continuous Improvement Specialist to enhance KPI-driven performance for aerospace/manufacturing clients. You will design and deploy a site-wide KPI system, standardize definitions, and lead PDCA-based improvements to meet schedule, cost, and quality targets.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in the field, strong data analysis skills, Lean expertise, and proven collaboration across production and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, business, management or related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in aerospace, aircraft or manufacturing.
• Experience with data analysis, performance measurement, and KPI development.
• Strong Excel and Google Workspace skills, with lean/process-management knowledge.
• Excellent communication and ability to influence across levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and strategic alignment of KPI system across production areas.
• Translate objectives into continuous improvement initiatives aligned with production strategy.
• Create centralized KPI definitions and documentation to ensure data accuracy.
• Oversee KPI reporting tools and dashboards for daily/weekly/monthly reviews.

Skills

KPI Development

Lean Principles

Data Analysis

Performance Mgmt

Project Management

MS Office

GSuite

Time Management

Stakeholder Comm

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Management, or a related discipline

Job description

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

The Continuous Improvement Specialist is responsible for driving the ongoing enhancement of processes, products, and services to improve quality, efficiency, cost, and overall operational performance. This role identifies high-impact improvement opportunities, establishes appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and develops performance dashboards that provide clear visibility into operational results.

The specialist will establish and maintain a transparent view of priorities, performance status, improvement plans, and key initiatives, ensuring that stakeholders have a common understanding of objectives and progress. The role will help the organization consistently deliver products on schedule, within budget, and to required quality standards.

• Lead the development and strategic alignment of the site's performance management system, establishing a clear connection between outcome-based KPIs and actionable monitoring measures.
• Convert operational objectives and production requirements into targeted continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring alignment with the site's overall production strategy and priorities.
• Create and maintain a centralized and reliable source of KPI information, including standardized KPI definitions and documentation to promote data accuracy, consistency, and transparency.
• Lead initiatives that standardize KPI definitions, measurement methods, reporting practices, and performance management processes across production areas.

Deploy and Improve the Performance Management System

• Manage the implementation of new KPIs, reporting tools, and performance dashboards across multiple levels of management, ensuring effective adoption and consistent use.
• Establish a structured performance governance model, including defined review processes, responsibilities, and Terms of Reference, to support accountability and effective decision-making.
• Promote a continuous improvement culture focused on practical, incremental changes that produce sustainable results rather than relying solely on large-scale transformations.
• Analyze day-to-day processes and workflows to identify opportunities to reduce waste, inefficiencies, errors, delays, and unnecessary complexity.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies such as Kaizen and the PDCA cycle to plan, implement, measure, evaluate, and refine process improvements.
• Oversee the development and delivery of visual performance dashboards designed to support daily, weekly, and monthly business reviews at various levels of management.
• Lead the automation and ongoing optimization of KPI reporting and performance-monitoring processes, using data analysis, digital tools, and programming capabilities to improve visibility, efficiency, and decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Management, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of overall professional experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in the aerospace, aircraft, or manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis, performance measurement, and KPI development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (G Suite).
• Strong understanding of Lean principles, performance management, and performance & process management (P&PM) tools and techniques.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at various organizational levels.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet established deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while working with large volumes of complex information and time-sensitive requirements.
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools.
• Ability to analyze performance data, identify trends and root causes, and translate findings into practical improvement actions.

Salary Range: $80,000-90,000

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

As set forth in ALTEN Technology USA’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
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