Specialist, Manufacturing Engineering

L3Harris Technologies; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies seeks a Specialist, Manufacturing Engineering (Continuous Improvement) to lead major continuous improvement initiatives at the Waco site. You will analyze workflows, labor utilization, material flow, and layout to implement sustainable operational improvements while boosting safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics.

In this onsite role, you will guide cross‑functional teams across Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain, leading kaizen events and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 4 years of experience.
• Graduate degree with at least 2 years of experience.
• Alternatively, 8+ years of related experience in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across Manufacturing Engineering and site operations.
• Analyze processes, labor utilization, workflow, and material flow to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and optimize labor standards, standardized work, capacity models, and productivity measurements.
• Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective action for safety, quality, delivery, and cost issues.
• Lead kaizen events and cross-functional process improvement efforts.

Skills

IE principles

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Project leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering

Master's in related field

Tools

SAP

Excel

Power BI

SQL

Python

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, Manufacturing Engineering (Continuous Improvement)

Job Code:

43313

Job Location:

Waco, TX

Job Schedule:

9/80 - Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off.

Job Description:

L3Harris is seeking a skilled and motivated Manufacturing Engineer/Industrial Engineer to join the Manufacturing Engineering team in Waco, Texas. This full-time onsite role will lead major continuous improvement efforts across manufacturing operations and serve as a key Industrial Engineering resource for improving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and labor efficiency. The selected candidate will apply Industrial Engineering principles to analyze workflows, labor utilization, material flow, facility and work area layout, and production methods to identify and implement sustainable operational improvements. This role will lead cross-functional initiatives that reduce waste, improve process performance, strengthen standardized work, and support site and segment operational goals. This position requires an experienced professional who can independently lead projects under general supervision, use data to drive decision‑making, and influence teams across Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.

Essential Functions:

• Lead major continuous improvement initiatives within Manufacturing Engineering and site operations using Industrial Engineering and lean manufacturing principles.
• Analyze manufacturing processes, production workflows, labor utilization, work sequencing, line balance, and material flow to identify and implement improvement opportunities.
• Develop and optimize methods for efficient use of personnel, equipment, floor space, and capital resources.
• Facilitate root cause analysis, problem solving, and corrective action implementation for operational issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Develop, validate, implement, and maintain labor standards, standardized work, capacity models, and productivity measurements for manufacturing and support processes.
• Evaluate and improve plant layouts, work cells, and process flow to enhance operational performance and reduce waste.
• Lead kaizen events, process improvement workshops, and other lean activities in support of site objectives and L3Harris continuous improvement strategy.
• Use data analytics and performance metrics to monitor initiatives, quantify financial and operational impact, and communicate results to site leadership.
• Support monthly and periodic reporting of improvement projects, productivity gains, cost savings, and key operational metrics.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to prioritize, implement, and sustain process improvements across the site.
• Provide coaching and training to employees and teams on Industrial Engineering methods, continuous improvement tools, and disciplined execution.
• Contribute to department and site planning efforts through execution of projects and initiatives with moderate impact on operational results.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under general supervision while leading cross‑functional projects and process improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain processes, influence decisions, and gain cooperation across departments.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance, if required for the role.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Engineering, or a related field and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience.
• Graduate degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Industrial Engineering principles, continuous improvement methods, and manufacturing process optimization.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects or process improvements in manufacturing, aerospace, MRO, industrial operations, or other complex production environments.
• Demonstrated experience in labor standards development, productivity analysis, workflow improvement, and operational performance measurement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree concentration in Industrial/Manufacturing/Process Engineering strongly preferred.
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing, aircraft MRO, or non‑repetitive / design‑to‑order production environments.
• Experience with lean tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, visual management, root cause analysis, and waste reduction.
• Green Belt certification or higher or demonstrated experience leading formal continuous improvement projects.
• Experience with SAP, Business Warehouse, Excel‑based modeling, AI, Power BI, SQL, Python, or similar data and productivity tools.
• Experience with facility layout, capacity planning, labor planning, and manufacturing systems improvement.
• Ability to communicate process improvement opportunities to senior leadership with emphasis on waste elimination, variation reduction, and operational execution.

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. L3Harris Technologies is an E‑Verify Employer.