Director, Process Excellence

Northrop Grumman

. Develop and execute engineering driven, lean focused roadmap that delivers higher quality, higher productivity, lower cost, and safer workplaces .

Posted 4/9/2026full-timeHuntsville • Alabama, Maryland, Utah, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $176,100 - $305,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute engineering driven, lean focused roadmap that delivers higher quality, higher productivity, lower cost, and safer workplaces
Lead the design, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and scale‑up of manufacturing processes, equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products and product revisions
Own the NPI hand‑over from R&D to the shop floor, ensuring cost, cycle‑time, and yield targets are met
Drive retrofits, automation upgrades, and line redesigns that improve OEE and reduce change‑over time (SMED)
Create and maintain robust work instructions, SOPs, and process specifications
Perform takt‑time analysis, line balancing, and capacity modeling to meet forecast demand while minimizing labor and equipment bottlenecks
Design/optimize plant layouts, cellular manufacturing cells, and material flow for maximum efficiency and minimal handling
Use discrete‑event simulation, digital twin tools, and data analytics
Conduct time-studies, method-studies, and ergonomic assessments to set standard labor times and reduce fatigue
Create a 3‑year Lean transformation roadmap that aligns with corporate goals
Chair the Continuous‑Improvement Steering Committee, establish Kaizen teams, and enforce a standardized project‑charter and audit cadence
Oversee end‑to‑end value‑stream mapping, prioritize rapid‑improvement events
Maintain the CI scorecard (OEE, lead‑time, waste‑rate, cost‑per‑unit, ROI, training penetration) and present results to senior leadership monthly
Design and roll out a Lean Academy (Yellow, Green, Black Belt), mentor emerging CI champions
Deploy visual management, daily‑management systems, and communication campaigns
Develop business cases for CI projects, track benefits versus costs, and control the CI budget
Recruit, develop, and retain a high‑performing ME/IE/CI team

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree with 10 plus years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with 8 plus years of relevant experience
10+ years progressive experience in manufacturing/industrial engineering
At least 5 years in a leadership role focused on lean/continuous improvement
Certified Lean Expert
Proven ability to lead cross‑functional, matrixed teams and to influence senior leadership without direct authority
Proven ability to build and maintain high performing teams
Proven ability to take ownership and be accountable with an “owners” mindset
Strong interpersonal skills, an exceptional self-starter attitude, and the ability to produce in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Strong business/financial acumen, keen organizational skills, and excellent problem-solving ability
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance up to Top Secret

Benefits

Comp & perks

health insurance coverage
life and disability insurance
savings plan
Company paid holidays
paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

lean manufacturingcontinuous improvementNPI hand-overOEEtakt-time analysisline balancingcapacity modelingvalue-stream mappingdiscrete-event simulationdata analytics

Soft Skills

leadershipinterpersonal skillsproblem-solvingorganizational skillsself-starter attitudeaccountabilityteam buildinginfluencing without authoritydynamic environment adaptabilityhigh-performing team development

Certifications

Bachelor's degreeMaster's degreeCertified Lean Expert