Director 1 Process Excellence

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available\n\nCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No\n\nCLEARANCE TYPE: None\n\nTRAVEL: Yes, 50% of the Time\n\n## Description\n\nAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people\u0027s lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation\u0027s history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work \u2014 and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they\u0027re making history.\n\nThe Director 1 Process Excellence leader is the senior champion for Manufacturing Engineering (ME), Industrial Engineering (IE), and Continuous Improvement (CI), specifically Lean Manufacturing across our production network. Reporting to the VP of Quality, Manufacturing and Infrastructure, this role develops and executes the engineering driven, lean focused roadmap that delivers higher quality, higher productivity, lower cost, and safer workplaces. The incumbent works hand-in-hand with site, division and sector manufacturing, product development, quality, supply chain, and IT across several sites to embed lean principles and manufacturing / Industrial engineering best practices into every step of the value stream\u2014from concept to high volume production.\n\nSector QM\u0026I Director, Process Excellence responsibilities: \n\nManufacturing Engineering\n\n\u2022 Process Design \u0026 Scale\u2011Up \u2013 Lead the design, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and scale\u2011up of manufacturing processes, equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products and product revisions. \n\u2022 Technology Transfer \u2013 Own the NPI hand\u2011over from R\u0026D to the shop floor, ensuring cost, cycle\u2011time, and yield targets are met. \n\u2022 Equipment Optimization \u2013 Drive retrofits, automation upgrades, and line redesigns that improve OEE and reduce change\u2011over time (SMED). \n\u2022 Standardization \u2013 Create and maintain robust work instructions, SOPs, and process specifications that are the \u201csingle source of truth\u201d for production.\n\nIndustrial Engineering\n\n\u2022 Capacity Planning \u0026 Line Balancing \u2013 Perform takt\u2011time analysis, line balancing, and capacity modeling to meet forecast demand while minimizing labor and equipment bottlenecks. \n\u2022 Facility Layout \u0026 Flow \u2013 Design/optimize plant layouts, cellular manufacturing cells, and material flow (value\u2011stream mapping) for maximum efficiency and minimal handling. \n\u2022 Simulation \u0026 Digital Twins \u2013 Use discrete\u2011event simulation, digital twin tools, and data analytics to evaluate \u201cwhat\u2011if\u201d scenarios before physical changes are made. \n\u2022 Work Study \u0026 Motion Analysis \u2013 Conduct time\u2011studies, method\u2011studies, and ergonomic assessments to set standard labor times and reduce fatigue.\n\nLean Manufacturing (Continuous Improvement)\n\n * Develop and own the CI strategy \u2013 Create a 3\u2011year Lean transformation roadmap that aligns with corporate goals and secures the required budget and resources.\n * Lead CI governance \u2013 Chair the Continuous\u2011Improvement Steering Committee, establish Kaizen teams, and enforce a standardized project\u2011charter and audit cadence across all sites.\n * Drive value\u2011stream analysis and Kaizen \u2013 Oversee end\u2011to\u2011end value\u2011stream mapping, prioritize rapid\u2011improvement events, and ensure that each event delivers measurable performance gains.\n * Define, track, and report KPIs \u2013 Maintain the CI scorecard (OEE, lead\u2011time, waste\u2011rate, cost\u2011per\u2011unit, ROI, training penetration, etc.) and present results to senior leadership on a monthly basis.\n * Build Lean capabilities \u2013 Design and roll out a Lean Academy (Yellow, Green, Black Belt), mentor emerging CI champions, and sustain a pipeline of certified practitioners.\n * Implement change\u2011management programs \u2013 Deploy visual management, daily\u2011management systems, and communication campaigns that embed a continuous\u2011improvement culture throughout the organization.\n * Manage ROI and financial oversight \u2013 Develop business cases for CI projects, track benefits versus costs, and control the CI budget (including external consulting and training spend).\n\n\n\nPeople \u0026 Culture\n\n\u2022 Recruit, develop, and retain a high\u2011performing ME/IE/CI team (engineers, analysts, facilitators). \n\u2022 Mentor plant leaders and front\u2011line teams in lean thinking, data\u2011driven decision making, and change management. \n\u2022 Create a \u201ccontinuous\u2011improvement as a habit\u201d culture measured by participation rates and sustained gains.\n\nData, Metrics \u0026 Digital Enablement\n\n\u2022 Define the KPI set for ME, IE, and Lean (OEE, SCRAP, First\u2011Pass Yield, Labor Hours per Unit, Change\u2011over Time). \n\u2022 Integrate MES/ERP data streams into real\u2011time dashboards; ensure data integrity for decision making. \n\u2022 Champion the use of advanced analytics (statistical process control, predictive maintenance, AI) to pre\u2011empt losses.\n\nFinancial Stewardship\n\n\u2022 Build business cases (ROI, payback) for all engineering and lean projects; track actual savings vs. target. \n\u2022 Partner with Finance to embed process costs into product costing and margin analysis.\n\nSafety, Quality \u0026 Compliance\n\n\u2022 Embed EHS and Quality requirements (ISO/TS, GMP, IATF) into every process design and lean activity. \n\u2022 Conduct risk assessments (PFMEA, Process Hazard Analysis) and drive corrective actions promptly.\n\nThe successful candidate will possess the following competencies and skills: \n\n * Deep knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering: process design, automation, tooling, and equipment qualification.\n * Strong Industrial Engineering fundamentals: line balancing, capacity planning, layout design, simulation.\n * Mastery of Lean Manufacturing (Certified Lean Expert or equivalent).\n * Advanced statistical analysis (Minitab, JMP, R, Python) and data visualization (Power BI, Tableau).\n * Ability to turn raw production data into actionable improvement plans.\n * Coaching/mentoring skillset to develop engineering and shop\u2011floor talent.\n * Experience delivering multi\u2011site engineering or lean programs on time and within budget\n * Clear, concise written and verbal communication; capable of presenting technical concepts to executives and frontline workers alike.\n * Understanding of cost structures, margin drivers, and supply\u2011chain dynamics in a high\u2011mix, high\u2011volume manufacturing environment.\n * Curiosity for emerging manufacturing technologies (robotics, additive manufacturing, AI/ML) and a track record of scaling them.\n\n\n\nBasic Qualifications:\n\n * Bachelor\u0027s degree with 10 plus years of relevant experience OR Master\u0027s degree with 8 plus years of relevant experience\n * 10+ years progressive experience in manufacturing/industrial engineering.\n * At least 5 years in a leadership role focused on lean/continuous improvement.\n * Certified Lean Expert\n * Proven ability to lead cross\u2011functional, matrixed teams and to influence senior leadership without direct authority.\n * Proven ability to build and maintain high performing teams.\n * Proven ability to take ownership and be accountable with an \u201cowners\u201d mindset.\n * Strong interpersonal skills, an exceptional self-starter attitude, and the ability to produce in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.\n * Strong business/financial acumen, keen organizational skills, and excellent problem-solving ability.\n * Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance up to Top Secret\n\n\n\nPreferred Qualifications:\n\n * Master\u2019s degree (MBA, Engineering Management, or related)\n * Experience leading global, multi\u2011plant engineering and lean programs.\n * Prior exposure to Industry 4.0 initiatives (IoT, digital twins).\n * Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt; PMP; APICS CPIM/CSCP.\n * Active Top Secret Clearance\n\n\n\nPrimary Level Salary Range: $176,100.00 - $305,900.00\n\nThe above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate\u0027s experience, education, skills and current market conditions.\n\nDepending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.\n\nThe application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.\n\nNorthrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.\n