Senior FLIGHT DECK Leader – Transformation

Employer description

Job Description SummaryAre you ready to see your career take flight? At GE Aerospace, we believe the world works better when it flies. We are a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. We have a relentless dedication to the future of safe and more sustainable flight and believe in our talented people to make it happen.

The Senior FLIGHT DECK Leader – Transformation will apply lean transformation principles, concepts and methods through GE Aerospace’s proprietary lean operating model, known as FLIGHT DECK, to drive lean conversion at select GE Aerospace locations. The role provides targeted support where the business needs to accelerate transformation: converting target lines and value streams to deliver breakthrough safety, quality, delivery and cost (SQDC) performance, and building the capability each site needs to sustain the gains.

Role Focus:
This is a hands-on, player-coach role. The Senior FLIGHT DECK Leader works with teams on the floor at Genba (the place where the work is done), leads the conversion of target lines side by side with operators, front-line leaders and support functions, and develops capability in the FLIGHT DECK Fundamentals. The role has the potential to lead a small team of FLIGHT DECK practitioners deployed to convert target lines.

Job DescriptionEssential Responsibilities

As the Senior FLIGHT DECK Leader – Transformation, you will:

Lead lean conversion at target sites

Deploy to select GE Aerospace locations to convert target lines and value streams to FLIGHT DECK, working hands-on at Genba with operators, front-line leaders and support functions.Partner with site leadership and the FLIGHT DECK Operations and Transformation Teams to select target lines, set conversion objectives and SQDC targets, and deploy lean tools and standards effectively.As business needs require, lead a small team of FLIGHT DECK practitioners on conversion assignments: set priorities, coordinate the work across sites and develop each practitioner’s capability.

Value Stream Management, Kaizen and Flow

Lead the creation and execution of value stream maps to identify and eliminate waste (Muda), unevenness (Mura) and overburden (Muri) across manufacturing, assembly and test processes.Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize Kaizen Events and document improvement roadmaps, and lead Kaizen Events from preparation through sustainment.Ensure predictable and efficient delivery of products by optimizing the flow of materials and information: level the workload, create continuous flow to takt time, and establish pull where flow cannot be continuous.Apply Lean Conversion Standards such as 5S, TPM, SW, SMED, 3P and Material Flow Processes where the value stream requires them.
Daily & Visual Management and Operating Cadences

Implement daily management routines and visual tools to track SQDC performance, with clear Red/Green status and escalation paths.Facilitate real-time problem solving at Genba to address off-plan conditions.Drive team alignment and accountability through structured operating cadences.
Standard Work

Develop, document and sustain standard work for manufacturing, assembly and test operations.Ensure adherence to established work sequences, timing and safety protocols.Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and refine standard work accordingly.
Problem Solving

Apply structured, data-driven problem-solving methods (e.g., TAGS: Trend, Actual, Gap, Standard) to resolve process-related issues.Lead root cause analysis and implement countermeasures to sustain improvements.
Coaching, Capability and Culture

Act as a lean coach and mentor for team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement; deliver FLIGHT DECK training at the point of work and build the site capability to sustain gains after the conversion team moves on.Share best practices and lessons learned across the broader FLIGHT DECK community.Promote transparency, inclusivity and constructive development within the team.Align operations with customer needs and expectations, and measure success through the lens of customer value and satisfaction.Actively engage with customer insights to drive meaningful improvements. 

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or universityA minimum of 7 years of experience in manufacturing operations or manufacturing engineeringA minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience leading lean conversion, including value stream mapping, Kaizen Event leadership, standard work, and flow and pull, with measurable and sustained results 

Desired Characteristics:

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing or Aerospace Engineering; an advanced degree is a plusExperience as a FLIGHT DECK practitioner or with a comparable lean operating systemExperience in aerospace or another regulated, safety-critical manufacturing environment (e.g., AS9100, NADCAP special processes, first article inspection)Lean conversion experience across machining, assembly and test operationsExperience preparing, facilitating and sustaining 3–5 day Kaizen Events, from framing the problem statement through ownership of follow-up actionsHands-on experience with SMED, TPM, 3P and material flow (kanban, supermarkets, Plan for Every Part)Experience leading or developing a small team of lean practitioners, engineers or front-line leadersExperience applying lean in both shop-floor and transactional environmentsFLIGHT DECK Behaviors: demonstrated commitment to Respect for People, Continuous Improvement and Customer Driven, always with unyielding integrity, and the ability to model these behaviors on the floorPlayer-coach: works hands-on at Genba alongside operators and front-line leaders, and builds capability by doing the work with the team rather than for itCommunication: communicates effectively at all levels of the organization, from front-line operators to site and senior leadershipLeadership ability: strong communicator, decisive, collaborative, expectation setterProblem solver: analytical-minded, challenges existing processes, critical thinker who builds on experience to solve complex problemsEffective coach: provides hands-on coaching and mentoring to operators, front-line leaders, site FLIGHT DECK practitioners and site leaders to build a continuous improvement cultureChange agent: makes the case for lean, demonstrates early impact and drives adoption at each siteAdaptable: builds trust quickly with new teams at each site, manages multiple priorities with a bias for action, and thrives in a high-travel roleInnovative: brings new ideas, motivation and concepts, and creates a safe environment to experiment 

Additional Information:

Location: flexible within the US, with ready airport access to the target sites.Travel: approximately 75%, based on business needs.This role will require in-person attendance for New Hire Orientation on Day 1.

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 InformationGE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Relocation Assistance Provided: No

#LI-Remote - This is a remote position