Senior Lean Transformation Manager, Industrial Engineering

AeroVironment; California (MO); On-site; USD 118,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment seeks a Manager of Industrial Engineering & Lean Transformation to design, implement, and optimize manufacturing systems and workflows, while leading Lean transformation initiatives. They drive value stream efficiency, capacity planning, and strategic use of resources, ensuring alignment with goals for output, cost, quality, and lead time.

The role requires developing time standards and production layouts, leading capacity planning, line balancing, and partnering with Product

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of related experience in high-mix, low-volume, or complex production environments.
• Minimum of 3 years of successfully leading manufacturing teams within a product development environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in process simulation tools, time studies, and data analytics.
• Strong leadership, project management, and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-mix, low-volume production environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (up to 50%).
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proven adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Strategic thinker who anticipates change and fosters team alignment
• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a focus on shared success
• Ownership-driven, continuously learning, and improvement-focused

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain time standards, labor models, and production layouts.
• Lead capacity planning, line balancing, and throughput optimization.
• Design and improve facility layouts, workstation ergonomics, and material flow.
• Conduct value stream mapping to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Lead Lean transformation initiatives using tools like 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, SMED, Standard Work, and Visual Management.
• Deploy Lean Six Sigma methodologies to reduce variation, waste, and non-value-added activities.
• Facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events and improvement workshops across departments.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Establish and track KPIs for productivity, efficiency, takt time, and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
• Develop cost-benefit analyses for capital projects and process changes.
• Support factory modernization and digital manufacturing initiatives (e.g., MES, automation, real-time analytics).
• Partner with Product Development and NPI teams to drive Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and scalability into new product designs.
• Train and mentor supervisors, engineers, and frontline teams in Lean principles.
• Act as a change agent, promoting a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build Lean maturity roadmaps and assess organizational readiness for transformation.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to align Lean initiatives with business objectives.
• Interface with executive leadership to report Lean transformation progress, ROI, and impact.
• Represent the Supplier Quality organization in high-level cross-functional meetings and executive updates.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards including AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR, and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Foster a continuous improvement culture within the supplier base and internal SQE team.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Project management

Facilitation

Data analytics

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

Process simulation tools

Time studies

Data analytics tools

Job description

AeroVironment seeks a Manager of Industrial Engineering & Lean Transformation to design, implement, and optimize manufacturing systems and workflows, while leading Lean transformation initiatives. They drive value stream efficiency, capacity planning, and strategic use of resources, ensuring alignment with goals for output, cost, quality, and lead time.

The role requires developing time standards and production layouts, leading capacity planning, line balancing, and partnering with Product