Job Description SummaryThe Executive FLIGHT DECK Leader – RPCA Part Family will apply lean transformation principles, concepts and methods through GE Aerospace's proprietary lean operating model, known as FLIGHT DECK, to ensure that products within Rotating Parts and Compressor Airfoils (RPCA) are manufactured with the appropriate safety, quality, delivery and cost (SQDC). The scope spans GE Aerospace internal shops, joint ventures and a network of strategic suppliers. This leader will have one direct report and will shape and deploy lean strategy, build capability, and influence senior leaders internally and externally to deliver breakthrough SQDC performance.
We are seeking an experienced plant leader who also brings strong lean transformation experience. If you have run a manufacturing plant, led lean transformation that delivered sustained results, and want to build enterprise-level transformation experience as your next step toward a larger plant leadership role, we invite you to explore this opportunity with GE Aerospace.
Career Path
This role is intentionally positioned as a growth role. The successful candidate will gain a high level of transformation experience in FLIGHT DECK, leading transformation across multiple RPCA plants, value streams and suppliers alongside the part family leadership team. The intention is for the successful candidate to move into a Plant Leader role within 18–24 months, based on performance and business needs.
Job DescriptionEssential Responsibilities
As the Executive FLIGHT DECK Leader, you will:
- Develop and execute the lean transformation strategy across the RPCA part family, including GE Aerospace internal shops, joint ventures and associated key suppliers, in alignment with company vision and organizational goals.
- Partner with RPCA plant leaders and their staffs to improve plant-level SQDC performance, bringing a plant leader's perspective to safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and operating cadences.
- Build lean capability in a high-performing leadership team: provide guidance and mentorship to the part family GM, plant leaders and staff, and in-plant FLIGHT DECK practitioners, and train and educate employees at all levels in lean principles and tools.
- Activate the FLIGHT DECK Fundamentals – Standard Work, Daily & Visual Management, Value Stream Management, Operating Cadences, Action Planning, Problem Solving, 5S, and Flow & Pull (including kanban and pull systems) – together with tools such as Kaizen Events and the Production Preparation Process (3P).
- Lead Kaizen Events and Genba walks at RPCA plants and suppliers, coaching leaders in real time at the point of work.
- Coach the part family GM on FLIGHT DECK fundamentals, including execution of Hoshin Kanri (policy deployment).
- Identify and prioritize opportunities to eliminate waste, create flow, improve processes and reduce cost across the organization.
- Actively participate in RPCA operating cadences, engage in effective team problem solving to deliver year-over-year KPI performance, and advise and counsel staff on issues impacting SQDC.
- Collaborate with the broader FLIGHT DECK community to promote a kaizen mindset, skillset and toolset across GE Aerospace.
- Demonstrate leadership in communicating business goals and programs at multiple levels of the organization.
- Collaborate to develop and execute the RPCA part family growth strategy.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
- A minimum of 3 years of experience as a plant leader, site leader or operations leader with end-to-end accountability for the safety, quality, delivery and cost performance of a manufacturing facility
- A minimum of 5 years of experience leading lean transformation, including value stream transformation, Kaizen Event leadership and structured problem solving, with measurable and sustained results
Additional Information
- Location: ideally based in Wilmington, NC. Candidates must be location-flexible across the Southeastern US, as the follow-on Plant Leader assignment may be at a site elsewhere in the region.
- Travel: 75%, based on business needs.
- This role will require in-person attendance for New Hire Orientation on Day 1.
- Location flexibility within the Southeastern US, including willingness to relocate for the follow-on Plant Leader assignment
Desired Characteristics
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; an advanced degree is a plus
- Plant leadership in aerospace or another regulated, safety-critical manufacturing environment (e.g., AS9100, NADCAP special processes, first article inspection)
- Experience with precision machining of rotating parts, airfoils or similar high-value components
- Experience leading a union-represented or teaming workforce
- Ownership of a plant budget and shop cost, including capital planning
- Experience applying lean in both shop-floor and transactional environments
- FLIGHT DECK Behaviors: demonstrated commitment to Respect for People, Continuous Improvement and Customer Driven, always with unyielding integrity, and the ability to model these behaviors as a leader
- Communication: communicates effectively at all levels of the organization, from front-line operators to members of the senior aerospace leadership team
- Leadership ability: strong communicator, decisive, collaborative, expectation setter
- Problem solver: analytical-minded, challenges existing processes, critical thinker who builds on experience to solve complex problems
- Effective coach: provides high-level coaching and mentoring to executives, plant leaders, plant-level FLIGHT DECK leaders and employees to build a continuous improvement culture
- Innovative: brings new ideas, motivation and concepts, and creates a safe environment to experiment
The base pay range for this position is $200,000.00 - $250,000.00. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on a percentage of your base salary/ commission based on the plan. This posting is expected to close on 11/23/2026.
GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support your health and, along with programs like HealthAhead, your physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing. Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach from GE Aerospace; and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) savings plan with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.
#FLIGHTDECK
This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Therefore, employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as one of the following: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, have been granted asylee or refugee status (i.e., a protected individual under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).
Additional InformationRelocation Assistance Provided: Yes
#LI-Remote - This is a remote position
