Operational Excellence Manager — Lean & Data-Driven

AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. seeks an Operational Excellence Manager to lead lean initiatives, drive continuous improvement, and optimize production flow in the FL OPS organization. You will define, implement, and track processes to reduce risk and improve data integrity across production lines.

You will partner with functional leaders, apply RCCA/DOE/VSM techniques, and mentor teams to deliver measurable results while maintaining regulatory and quality standards.

Qualifications

• BS in Industrial Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• MSIE preferred.
• 10+ years' experience in manufacturing environment.
• Prior small satellite manufacturing and test experience preferred.
• Prior management experience preferred.
• Strong background in aerospace industry.
• Knowledge of SPC and characterization of failures.
• Lean Manufacturing and Root Cause Analysis techniques (8D, Fish Bone Diagram, 5 Whys, DOE, etc.).
• Formal training or certification in Operational Excellence Systems (Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, APQP) a plus.
• Working knowledge of production systems and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of AS 9001.
• Strong organizational, analytical, root cause analysis, critical-thinker and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Define continuous improvement and tracking methods to meet quality, on time, and on cost spacecraft deliveries.
• Collaborate with Production and Quality to continually improve all processes within Operations.
• Propose transverse improvement projects to the SMT.
• Present status of continuous improvement projects to SMT quarterly.
• Foster application of RCCA, DOE, and VSM to solve production and quality problems.
• Observe processes and independently develop innovative solutions to problems.
• Drive execution of improvement projects with proper stakeholders.
• Define data-driven processes to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Prioritize support to the production floor in continuous improvement efforts.
• Train in production processes and lean manufacturing techniques to deliver measurable results.
• Coordinate and communicate project status with personnel and departments; develop contingency plans.
• Manage department budget to ensure proper improvement projects are implemented.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Data mining

Project leadership

Statistical methods

MS Excel

Education

BS in Industrial Engineering or equivalent

MSIE preferred

Tools

SAP

JIRA

MES

Job description

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. seeks an Operational Excellence Manager to lead lean initiatives, drive continuous improvement, and optimize production flow in the FL OPS organization. You will define, implement, and track processes to reduce risk and improve data integrity across production lines.

You will partner with functional leaders, apply RCCA/DOE/VSM techniques, and mentor teams to deliver measurable results while maintaining regulatory and quality standards.