Do you want to be developed into a leader within a world-class manufacturing environment? This role is designed to be a key stepping stone into operations leadership.
As a Operations Engineering Lead in our Decatur, AL facility, you will play a critical role supporting our PAN and carbon fiber manufacturing operations, helping produce advanced materials that power next-generation aerospace applications. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where engineering meets operations on the production floor.
This role is intentionally designed for engineers who are ready to expand beyond technical execution—developing the skills, business acumen, and leadership presence needed to transition into front-line leadership and operations management supporting critical aerospace programs.
What You Will Do
- Lead and optimize day-to-day manufacturing operations by improving production flow, methods, and maintaining equipment performance to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets
- Serve as a primary engineering resource to operations, driving rapid troubleshooting and resolution of production, equipment, and process issues to minimize downtime
- Lead and execute process improvement initiatives focused on yield, throughput, cycle time reduction, and overall plant efficiency using structured problem-solving methods
- Spearhead troubleshooting and partner with line engineers to drive process continuity
- Run daily start meetings and provide guidance
- Support next-generation factory and automation implementation activities
- Plan, lead, and implement new line startups, qualifications, and engineering changes, ensuring minimal disruption to production and sustained performance gains
- Drive root cause analysis for complex product, process, and equipment issues; implement and sustain corrective and preventive actions across the operation
- Partner closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and supply chain, and own evaluation and continuous improvement of equipment, field installations, and maintenance strategies to maximize uptime and asset utilization
- Develop and leverage process data and feedback systems, lead small- to mid-scale capital and continuous improvement projects, and provide technical leadership on the floor by mentoring engineers and operators while representing manufacturing in cross-functional initiatives and plant priorities
Where This Role Will Take You
This role is designed to build the capabilities needed for operations management and site leadership. You will gain exposure to operational decision-making, including prioritization, resource allocation, and performance management and position yourself for future progression into front-line leadership, operations management, or broader site leadership roles.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or related field) with 7+ years of experience, OR master’s degree in engineering with 5+ years of experience.
- Experience in manufacturing
- Interest and capability to grow into an operations management career path
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred
- Demonstrated experience leading projects and continuous improvement initiatives preferred.
- Exposure to cross-functional leadership and mentoring
Eligible candidates must be a: U.S. citizen, U.S. national, person lawfully admitted for permanent residence, temporary resident under sections 210(a) or 245(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, person admitted in refugee status, or person granted asylum. Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry.
With our strong investment in research and development and our culture of continuous improvement, Hexcel is the industry leader in the manufacturing of advance composite materials, including carbon fiber, woven reinforcements, resins, prepregs, honeycombs and engineered core. We invite you to join the Hexcel team at various manufacturing sites, sales offices and R&T centers around the globe. Become a part of the “strength within.”
Hexcel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or related engineering field plus 7 or more years of experience
- Master’s degree in engineering plus 5 or more years of experience
- Manufacturing experience
- Interest and capability to pursue an operations management career path
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
- Experience leading projects and continuous improvement initiatives
- Exposure to cross-functional leadership and mentoring
- Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, eligible permanent or temporary resident, refugee, or asylee
Hexcel Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Hexcel Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Hexcel Corporation.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is often characterized as competitive or good for the area, with overtime and bonuses contributing to a stronger overall cash picture. Compensation is also described as varying by role and location, but it still stands out as a perceived strength in many operational settings.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with employer matching and access to stock-related programs such as an employee stock purchase plan. This supports a total-rewards story that goes beyond base pay for eligible roles.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Core coverage is described as broadly available to U.S. employees, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans alongside life and disability protections. Tuition reimbursement and voluntary insurance options further widen the practical usefulness of the package.
Hexcel Corporation Insights
What We Do
As a leading producer of carbon fiber reinforcements and resin systems, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry, Hexcel is creating a better world for us all through lightweight solutions.
