Engineering & Operational Excellence Manager

Safran; Marysville (WA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran is seeking an Engineering & Operational Excellence Manager to lead Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Excellence, driving world-class processes and continuous improvement across the site.

The role requires 10+ years in related fields, leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent. You will push safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity through engineering excellence and strategic transformation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline; Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Continuous Improvement or related industrial functions.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead industrialization, process development, manufacturing readiness, process validation, tooling and manufacturing standards.
• Optimize layouts, material flow, line balancing and manufacturing methods.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, 5S, Visual Management and Value Stream Mapping across the site.
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities based on business impact and ROI.
• Manage the portfolio of engineering and continuous improvement projects, ensuring governance and execution.
• Lead automation, digital manufacturing and capital investment initiatives.
• Partner with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Maintenance and Programs to solve complex manufacturing challenges.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, dashboards and performance review routines.
• Drive cost reduction, productivity improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop engineering and CI talent while promoting a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems, EHS requirements and corporate standards.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Change management

Project portfolio management

Financial and business acumen

Cross-functional leadership

Coaching and talent development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Engineering & Operational Excellence Manager

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Cabin is the world's No. 1 in aircraft interiors. Safran Cabin provides innovative, smart and sustainable cabin interiors, as well as advanced water and waste management systems.

Here, you will develop your skills and grow within a community of experts who enrich your experience every day.

Here, collaboration connects our teams across the globe.

Did you know? We have probably already flown together!

Would you like to join us? Learn more about Safran Cabin here.

(Hyperlink: https://www.safran-group.com/en/companies/safran-cabin)

Reference number

2026-186394

Domain

Performance and Support

Job field / Job profile

Continuous improvement - Improvement and/or transformation project management - BB/MBB

Job title

Engineering & Operational Excellence Manager

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

The Manager, Engineering & Operational Excellence will lead the Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Excellence functions to evaluate and develop robust manufacturing processes, optimize operational performance, and drive sustainable continuous improvement across the site.

The Manager, Engineering & Operational Excellence will be responsible to own and drive the Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Excellence functions to design, optimize and sustain world-class manufacturing systems, driving safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity and continuous improvement through engineering excellence, lean principles and strategic transformation

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Summary of Duties:

• Develop and execute the Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Excellence strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead industrialization, process development, manufacturing readiness, process validation, tooling and manufacturing standards.
• Optimize layouts, material flow, line balancing and manufacturing methods.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, 5S, Visual Management and Value Stream Mapping across the site.
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities based on business impact and ROI.
• Manage the portfolio of engineering and continuous improvement projects, ensuring governance and execution.
• Lead automation, digital manufacturing and capital investment initiatives.
• Partner with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Maintenance and Programs to solve complex manufacturing challenges.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, dashboards and performance review routines.
• Drive cost reduction, productivity improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop engineering and CI talent while promoting a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with quality systems, EHS requirements and corporate standards.

Candidate skills & requirements

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline; Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Continuous Improvement or related industrial functions.
• Minimum 5 years leading multidisciplinary engineering or operational excellence teams.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent preferred.

Computer Skills:

• Basic knowledge Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Other Skills:

• Strategic thinking
• Change management
• Project portfolio management
• Financial and business acumen
• Cross-functional leadership
• Coaching and talent development
• Decision making based on data
• Effective oral and written communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and assignments with attention to detail
• Problem solving, well organized, detailed oriented and accurate.

Annual salary

USD $113,460.00 to $178,290.00 Per Year

Job location

North America, United States, Washington

City (-ies)

12810 State Ave Marysville, WA 98271

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

More than 8 years

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

No