Specialist, Continuous Improvement

L3Harris Technologies; Wilmington (MA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Education assistance

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Wilmington, MA seeks a highly skilled Continuous Improvement Specialist with Lean and problem-solving abilities to drive efficiency and reduce waste on Space Sector operations. This hands-on role requires leading Lean implementations, value stream mapping, Kaizen events, and coaching across manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams.

Candidates should have a BS in Engineering or related field with 4+ years of experience (or 8+ years without degree), ability to obtain

Qualifications

• Experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence within manufacturing, engineering, defense, aerospace, or similar environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience; a Graduate Degree with 2+ years of related experience; or 8+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance.
• Ability to travel approximately 10-20% to support cross-site CI initiatives, kaizen events, training, and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Lean principles across the Wilmington site, partnering with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and program teams.
• Conduct value stream mapping to identify waste and prioritize opportunities.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events (shop floor and transactional), ensuring sustainment through visuals, KPIs, and ownership structures.
• Provide Lean coaching, training, and mentoring to teams at all levels.
• Establish, track, and analyze KPIs to support OE strategy and drive decision‑making.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools including Root Cause Analysis, 5 Why, Fishbone, and PDCA.
• Manage CI projects end‑to‑end, ensuring alignment with Space strategic goals.
• Develop, update, and implement standard work across operational areas.
• Partner with leadership to support change management, ensuring adoption and long‑term sustainment.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through process optimization and waste elimination.
• Support execution of Space Sector Operational Excellence roadmap and strategic objectives.

Skills

Lean

Continuous Improvement

Operational Excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/related field

Graduate degree with 2+ years of related experience

8+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Specialist, Continuous Improvement
Job Code: 41735
Job Location: Wilmington, MA
Job Schedule: 9/80

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist with strong Lean and problem-solving capabilities to support Space Sector operations in Wilmington, MA. This role focuses on driving efficiency, improving process flow, reducing waste, and strengthening overall operational performance through structured CI methodologies. The ideal candidate is hands-on, data-driven, and capable of influencing across functions to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Essential Functions

• Lead implementation of Lean principles across the Wilmington site, partnering with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and program teams.
• Conduct value stream mapping to identify waste and prioritize opportunities.
• Plan and facilitate Kaizen events (shop floor and transactional), ensuring sustainment through visuals, KPIs, and ownership structures.
• Provide Lean coaching, training, and mentoring to teams at all levels.
• Establish, track, and analyze KPIs to support OE strategy and drive decision‑making.
• Apply structured problem-solving tools including Root Cause Analysis, 5 Why, Fishbone, and PDCA.
• Manage CI projects end‑to‑end, ensuring alignment with Space strategic goals.
• Develop, update, and implement standard work across operational areas.
• Partner with leadership to support change management, ensuring adoption and long‑term sustainment.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through process optimization and waste elimination.
• Support execution of Space Sector Operational Excellence roadmap and strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence within manufacturing, engineering, defense, aerospace, or similar environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field with 4+ years of relevant experience; a Graduate Degree with 2+ years of related experience; or 8+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance.
• Ability to travel approximately 10-20% to support cross-site CI initiatives, kaizen events, training, and engagement.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Lean Certification or Six Sigma Green Belt and/or Black Belt.
• Industrial Engineering or Process Engineering background.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Massachusetts is $76,500 - $141,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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