Operational Excellence & CPI Manager

United Airlines; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Accident & disability coverage

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Commuter benefits

Paid holidays

Paid time off

401(k) and flight privileges

Job summary

United Airlines in San Francisco is seeking a CPI Manager to lead and execute operational improvements across Line Maintenance locations. You will partner with station leadership and SME teams to drive measurable productivity and efficiency gains, and embed changes into standard processes.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or related experience, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and 3+ years in continuous improvement within complex operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or related experience.
• Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain background.
• A&P or equivalent practical experience is acceptable.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years in continuous improvement, operations or process optimization.
• Experience leading large cross-functional improvement initiatives.
• Experience using data and analytics to identify opportunities and validate results.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with frontline collaboration ability.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute operational improvement initiatives at assigned Line Maintenance locations.
• Partner with station leadership to prioritize and drive practical improvements.
• Direct local continuous improvement work and mentor team members where applicable.
• Own a portfolio of initiatives delivering measurable performance gains.
• Lead structured problem solving to address KPI gaps, productivity, and delays.
• Collaborate with Process Standards, Analytics and SMEs to embed improvements.
• Establish sustainment plans and performance tracking at station level.
• Translate regional initiatives into local operating changes and ensure adoption.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Influence and partnership

Data and analytics

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree or related experience

Industrial Engineering, Business

Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) or equivalent

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

At United, we have some of the best aircraft in the world. Our Technical Operations team is full of aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that help make sure they’re well taken care of and ready to get our customers to their desired destinations. If you’re ready to work on our planes, join our Tech Ops experts and help keep our fleet in tip-top shape.

Job Overview and Responsibilities

This Manager role within the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) function is responsible for leading and executing operational improvement initiatives within assigned Line Maintenance locations. This role focuses on identifying inefficiencies, solving operational challenges and delivering measurable improvements in technician productivity, operational efficiency and execution consistency. This role is locally aligned, supporting one or more hubs or line stations, and serves as the on-site leader for continuous improvement efforts. The Manager partners closely with station leadership and works in tandem with Process Management Specialists and technical SMEs to ensure improvements are both effective and executable in the field.

• Serve as a trusted partner to local Line Maintenance leadership, providing thought partnership on operational performance, identifying constraints and opportunities, and helping shape practical improvement priorities across assigned station(s)
• Provide day-to-day direction and coordination for local continuous improvement work and, where applicable, support the development of assigned team members
• Own and manage a local portfolio of continuous improvement initiatives across assigned station(s), delivering measurable improvements in operational performance, productivity and efficiency
• Lead structured problem-solving efforts to address local Line MX performance gaps such as missed KPIs, productivity shortfalls, delays and repeat issues
• Collaborate with Process Standards, Projects & Execution, Analytics, Process Management Experts and local stakeholders to align priorities, embed improvements into standard processes and validate sustained outcomes
• Establish local sustainment plans and performance tracking mechanisms to ensure improvements are embedded, monitored and maintained over time
• Support implementation of Tech Ops and regional initiatives by translating changes into the local Line Maintenance operating environment and ensuring they are effectively executed and adopted at the station level
• Represent local field realities, constraints and readiness needs so initiatives are practical and executable
• Build and reinforce a culture of continuous improvement at the station level, coaching supervisors and frontline teams in structured problem-solving and Lean practices
• Support the development of a CI education and training program and encourage adoption of continuous improvement routines in day-to-day operations
• Drive consistent and effective deployment of initiatives across the network, reinforcing accountability, adoption and execution at the station level
• Provide visibility into local process performance, initiative progress, risks and realized operational and financial impact, and ensure station-level sustainment mechanisms are in place

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree or related experience
• Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain
• Airframe & Powerplant (A & P) or equivalent practical experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification or work experience
• 3+ years of experience in continuous improvement, operations or process optimization within a complex operational environment
• Experience leading large, cross-functional improvement initiatives or transformation efforts
• Demonstrated experience leading improvement initiatives that resulted in measurable operational or financial impact
• Experience working with data and analytics to identify opportunities and validate results
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with experience in root-cause analysis and structured problem-solving
• Ability to influence and partner effectively with frontline operational teams and station leadership
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect operational improvements to performance outcomes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree or related experience
• Airframe & Powerplant (A & P) license
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement certification
• Experience in Line/Base Maintenance operations, such as Technician, Supervisor, Assistant Manager or Shift Manager roles
• Experience in Tech Ops, Line Maintenance, MRO, airline operations or other large-scale operational environments
• Hands-on experience working in or directly supporting frontline operations
• Experience applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, including DMAIC, value stream mapping, waste identification and root-cause analysis

The base pay range for this role is $102,220.00 to $133,194.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]