Job Description

Job Description

How does it feel to work on a team driven to make a big impact? Empowering.

The Quality Assurance organization of BAE Systems is seeking a seasoned Continuous Improvement - Business Transformation Leader to drive a culture of structured problem solving and continuous improvement within our Aiken, SC and Anniston, AL operations centers. We offer the flexibility of full-time remote work for this role. However, to ensure occasional collaboration and site access, we require candidates to be based within a reasonable commuting distance of any of our main CMS sites. (See below.)

As a principal level Continuous Improvement Subject Matter Expert, you will lead business transformation initiatives, facilitate change management, and support training programs to empower associates to drive improvement.

Business Transformation Initiatives

• Implement a rolling top issues management strategy leveraging Red X, lean and six-sigma projects aligned with organizational objectives.
• Lead teams to solve critical, urgent, or chronic technical problems, working closely with manufacturing, engineering, and supplier quality teams.
• Facilitate and coach end-to-end Red X, lean and six sigma transformation projects, including planning, implementation, and evaluation phases.
• Be accountable for project identification, prioritization, and achievement.

Change Management

• Act as a change agent to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
• Provide guidance and support to stakeholders at all levels to ensure buy-in and successful implementation of lean initiatives.

Training and Development

• Support training programs on Red X, Critical Thinking (Is, Is-Not Analysis), lean principles, tools, and techniques to build capability and empower associates to drive improvement at all levels of the organization.
• Coach and develop individuals to Green Belt and Black Belt proficiency with Red X, Critical Thinking, and lean methods.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Help establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of CI initiatives.
• Monitor progress and track performance metrics.
• Apply Project Management Tools to facilitate all projects within scope (Plant / Department or Area) while ensuring timeline and target accomplishment (which includes savings or additional impact calculation and approvals, projects documentation and 12 months tracking for sustainability).

Continuous Learning

• Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging trends, and new technologies related to structured root cause, lean methodologies and continuous improvement.
• Apply insights to refine existing processes and drive innovation within the organization.
• Continuously focus on capabilities development and certifications related to CI knowledge and application as helping the development of others. Special focus on peers in Quality, Operations, Manufacturing, and Engineering.

Location & Schedule: We offer the flexibility of full-time remote work for this role. To ensure occasional collaboration and site access, we require candidates to be based within a reasonable commuting distance of any of our main CMS sites:

• Aiken, SC
• Anniston, AL
• York, PA
• Sterling Heights, MI
• Minneapolis, MN
• Phoenix, AZ
• Louisville, KY

Required Skills and Education

• Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or Science or related discipline with eight years of related experience, or the overall equivalent
• Shainin Red X certification. Minimum Journeyman.
• Subject Matter Expertise in Red X, Lean and Continuous Improvement concepts, systems, methodologies and tools.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex issues and facilitating casual analysis tools to identify true root cause.
• Experience with Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical engineering departments and activities.
• Proven Project Management skills
• Requires innovative problem solving experience with Shainin, A3, 8D, PDCA, 6 Sigma, etc., and systematic thinking.
• Highly effective communicator both written and spoken.
• Training experience, both in one-on-one and group settings.
• Experience presenting material and providing mentoring and coaching.
• Pro-active experience influencing, directing, guiding, and driving change.
• Liaison communication skills, in order to, interface with management and the customer pertaining to product and process issues.
• Ability to work across multiple programs, system areas, and product development phases simultaneously.
• Experience with APQP Core Tools.
• Product life-cycle and systems understanding.
• Must be comfortable in an operations environment, working in and around military vehicles.
• Prior exposure working with fully integrated systems.
• Proficient with MS Office applications, Minitab, Relyence or similar applications.
• Must be able to travel up to 75% in support of our manufacturing sites in Aiken, South Carolina and Anniston, Alabama.

About BAE Systems Platforms & Services Posting

BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Preferred Skills and Education

• Defense contractor experience.
• Knowledgeable in contractual compliance and interpretation.
• Ability to work with both with a mentor and independently.
• Computer tools experience (Oracle, TIPQA, etc).
• Practical application of Advanced Product Quality Planning (via Core Quality Tools).
• Toyota Production System exposure.
• Lean Transformation experience.
• Kaizen Facilitator.
• Lean Six Sigma.
• Critical Thinking (Is, Is-Not Analysis).
• Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineer.

Typical Education and Experience

Typically a Bachelor's Degree and 8 years work experience or equivalent experience