United Launch Alliance

Continuous Improvement Leader 5

United Launch Alliance$110K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field
  • 8 years of relevant continuous improvement experience in manufacturing
  • 2 years of team leadership or project management experience
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification
  • Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to foster a mindset of ongoing enhancement
  • Implement Lean practices such as Value Stream Mapping and 5S to optimize processes
  • Develop strategies and long-range plans in collaboration with senior leadership
  • Conduct Kaizen events, track progress, and facilitate cross-functional projects
  • Train and coach employees on Lean principles and process improvement tools
  • Maintain KPIs and dashboards to measure improvement impact and report to leadership
  • Collaborate with department leaders to standardize processes and reduce waste

Benefits

  • 401(k) match with additional employer contribution
  • Discretionary annual incentive bonus
  • Generous paid time off
  • Flexible work environments
  • 9/80 work schedule enabling every other Friday off
Full Job Description
Requisition ID: 1961

Location: ULA - Decatur

Relocation: Yes- Relocation may be available

Travel Requirements: 10%

Job Overview & Responsibilities

As a Continuous Improvement Leader in Decatur, AL, this individual is responsible for driving and embedding process improvement across the factory to enhance efficiency, quality, and performance. This role requires a blend of technical expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and other improvement methodologies with leadership and change management skills.

Core Responsibilities:
  • Lead Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Drive, facilitate, and support continuous improvement activities across all areas of the business, acting as a catalyst for a continuous improvement mindset
  • Implement Lean Practices: Promote and guide the adoption of Lean Enterprise systems, including Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Continuous Flow, TPM, Root Cause Analysis, and other process improvement tools
  • Transformation & Strategy: Partner with senior leaders to develop transformation strategies, annual improvement plans, and long-range strategic plans aligned with organizational goals
  • Kaizen & Events: Lead and participate in kaizen events, track progress, and ensure sustained gains; facilitate cross-functional improvement projects
  • Training & Coaching: Deliver coaching, mentoring, and training on Lean principles, tools, and behaviors to empower employees at all levels
  • Data & KPIs: Develop and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and reports to measure improvement impact and present progress to leadership
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with department leaders, field teams, and stakeholders to standardize processes, reduce waste, and improve operational performance
  • Change Management: Manage change effectively, ensuring smooth implementation of new processes and systems


Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 8 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field from an accredited college or university
  • 8 years of relevant experience including continuous improvement or process improvement roles, preferably in manufacturing, operations, or industrial environments, plus a minimum of 2 years of leadership, team leadership and/or project management experience
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Gemba, or Obeya methodology certification
  • Proficiency in data analysis, problem-solving, and improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen)
  • Strong communication, collaboration, facilitation, and influence skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines


Preferred Qualifications

Because we understand launch success comes through the collective efforts of a team, we seek the best to join us. We value ethics, ingenuity, engagement and professional development for employees at all levels.

We offer our employees competitive pay and benefits including:
  • 401(k) match plus an additional employer contribution
  • Discretionary annual incentive bonus for eligible employees
  • Generous paid time off
  • Flexible work environments


Additionally, most salaried ULA team members work a "9/80 schedule," meaning they enjoy every other Friday off.

Benefits and work schedules may vary for union-represented hourly positions and are described in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Security Clearance / International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). Therefore, all applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined in ITAR 22 CFR 120.62 (e.g., U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or protected individual. See 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) and 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) for additional information).

About United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The company provides reliable and cost-effective launch services for government and commercial customers, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and other agencies. ULA's launch vehicles include the Atlas V and Delta IV families of rockets, which are designed to meet a wide range of mission requirements. The company is committed to delivering innovative solutions that enable customers to achieve their goals in space.
Learn more about United Launch Alliance
Size
3,500 employees
Industry
Founded
2006

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