Lean Practitioner - AMT

Zenix Aerospace AMT/Damar; Arlington (WA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Account

Basic Life Insurance

Voluntary Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

401k

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Zenix Aerospace AMT/Damar, a manufacturer of structural aerospace parts, seeks a Lean Practitioner to lead continuous improvement across operations and ensure compliance with AS9100. You will drive throughput, reduce waste, and partner with production, engineering, quality, and supply chain to deliver measurable results.

You will train teams in Lean tools, develop KPIs, and sustain cost savings while promoting safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of education and aerospace manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Industrial Engineering.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, aviation, or regulated manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, machining, test and support operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Rapid Improvement Workshops, and Value Stream Mapping activities.
• Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities to improve productivity and flow.
• Develop site-level Operational Excellence strategies and drive Lean best practices.
• Analyze workflows, conduct root-cause investigations, and implement Standard Work and Visual Management.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Operational Excellence

Industrial Engineering

Leadership

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

INFOR

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

Job description

We are a manufacturer of structural parts for the leading original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) in the large business and regional jet markets. Our experience and capabilities span multiple segments of an aircraft, including the engine pylon, struts, wing box, wings, wheel well, and the interior. Our success is based on utilizing proprietary manufacturing techniques to manufacture high quality complex parts through cost effective production.

Given its breadth of capabilities and strong customer relationships, we have substantial content on the aviation industry's most popular aircraft.

Job Description:

The Lean Practitioner is responsible for leading and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across aerospace manufacturing operations. This role applies Lean principles and operational excellence methodologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and compliance while ensuring adherence to aerospace industry standards, including AS9100, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations. The Lean Practitioner partners with production, engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams to eliminate waste, optimize processes, increase throughput, and drive sustainable business results.

What will my responsibilities include?

• Lead Lean transformation initiatives across manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, machining, test, and support operations.
• Facilitate Kaizen events, Rapid Improvement Workshops, and Value Stream Mapping activities.
• Identify and eliminate non-value-added activities to improve productivity, flow, and operational performance.
• Support the development and execution of site-level Operational Excellence strategies.
• Drive implementation of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement best practices.

Process Improvement

• Analyze manufacturing workflows and production constraints to improve throughput and reduce cycle times.
• Conduct root cause investigations using A3, 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagrams, and other structured problem-solving methods.
• Implement Standard Work, Visual Management systems, Leader Standard Work, and Daily Management practices.
• Support cellular manufacturing, point-of-use inventory, pull systems, and Kanban deployments.
• Improve material flow throughout production and warehouse operations.

Quality and Compliance

• Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams to improve First Pass Yield (FPY) and reduce defects and rework.
• Ensure improvement initiatives align with AS9100 quality management requirements and customer specifications.
• Support corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities resulting from audits, customer complaints, and nonconformance investigations.
• Participate in internal audits and continuous improvement activities supporting regulatory compliance.

Data Analysis and Performance Management

• Develop and monitor operational metrics and KPIs.
• Analyze manufacturing data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Build reports and dashboards to communicate improvement results to leadership.
• Validate and sustain financial savings generated through Lean projects.

Culture and Capability Building

• Train and coach employees, supervisors, and managers on Lean tools and methodologies.
• Facilitate employee engagement in continuous improvement programs.
• Develop CI champions and support a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Promote safety, quality, and customer-focused behaviors throughout the organization.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and aerospace manufacturing experience may be considered.

Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, or Industrial Engineering.
• Experience within aerospace, defense, aviation, or highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Proven record of leading cross-functional improvement projects with measurable operational results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• AS9100 Internal Auditor Certification
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as INFOR, SAP, Oracle, or Epicor
• Experience supporting FAA, DoD, NASA, or commercial aerospace customers

Lean Tools and Methodologies

The successful candidate will have working knowledge of:

• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• 5S Workplace Organization
• Standard Work
• Visual Management
• SMED (Quick Changeover)
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• A3 Problem Solving
• PDCA Methodology
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Lean Practitioner will be evaluated on:

• First Pass Yield (FPY)
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Manufacturing Cycle Time Reduction
• Cost Savings and Productivity Improvements
• Inventory Reduction
• Scrap and Rework Reduction
• Safety Performance Improvements
• Continuous Improvement Event Participation and Results
• Strong leadership and facilitation skills
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to influence without direct authority
• Effective communication across all organizational levels
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Commitment to operational excellence and quality

Physical Demands:

Ability to do bending, walking and sitting for an 8 hour period, and lift up to 40 lbs occasionally.

• Required to enter the manufacturing environment throughout the work day; this environment may include exposure to noise, dust, fumes, vapor etc.
• The Company provides industry standard safety equipment, and specific notice is posted in areas where safety equipment is required.

Safety training is required and provided by the Company in accordance with applicable law, industry standards, and Company policy.

Why join Zenix Aerospace AMT/Damar?

We are committed to continuous sustainable growth through superior customer satisfaction. We are dedicated to operating in an ethical, safe, and environmentally responsible manner while providing a rewarding work environment for our employees. Our mission is supported by a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, and strategic technology investments.

Salary Offering:

$104,000.00 to $129,000.00 annually

Days

Zenix Aerospace AMT/Damar offers eligible employees (and eligible family members):

• Health Savings Account
• Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Employee, Spouse or Child Life Insurance,
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

Eligible employees are also offered 401k, PTO, 80 hours of paid holiday per calendar year, and other compensation (as applicable).

Zenix Aerospace AMT/Damar is an equal opportunity employer.