Process Improvement Engineer

Overview:

General Dynamics Electric Boat is one of the only two shipyards that produce submarines for the US Navy and there’s never been a better time to join! The US Navy has a demand for cutting-edge naval capability and technology never seen before, and Electric Boat is the vanguard—designing, building, and maintaining the most advanced submarines in the world. Our work is mission-critical to the U.S. Navy and strengthening national security.

About the Team - Process Improvement Engineering (D201)

Our mission is to enable the success of the shipbuilders of Groton Shipyard to be safe and successful as they build and test the most advanced vessels in the world. Our team uses a holistic mix of techniques and strategies from Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Theory of Constraints, team facilitated problem solving, and culture transformation to create breakthrough improvements in span times, quality, and performance. We adapt and expand these methods for this high-mix low-volume production environment. We guide organizations in developing and implementing improvement strategies and creating tangible & significant improvements.

You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team working on new and exciting challenges abundant in opportunities for learning and development. We work cross functionally through all the Electric Boat organizations, and you’ll get to go Gemba on submarines!

Role Overview:

You will be hands-on with the shipbuilders and other organizations. You will see how submarines are made and facilitate teams of workers in solving the largest constraints. The methods will be logical, data driven, and collaborative.

You will be responsible for the application of Lean Six Sigma principles to investigate, analyze and facilitate process changes directly resulting in reduced lead times, improved quality, reduced costs, and improved safety within the manufacturing and outfitting areas in Groton.

One critical challenge the team confronts is improvements in an environment that is mostly non-linear production where the manufacturing activities aren’t the endless repeats of a few processes, but rather high levels of diversity in the work being performed. We take the foundational principles and tools of the various continuous improvement methodologies and expand them to solve issues around the massive amount of coordination in submarine production. This role will rarely be about optimizing linear (assembly line style) flow or local optimization, but high-mix, low volume and system coordination.

The selected applicants will receive training and certification in Lean Six Sigma in support of improving Electric Boat’s business processes and alignment to Electric Boat’s unique Continuous Improvement approach.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist organizations in identifying, planning, and implementing Process Improvements and Lean Six Sigma Projects, and ensure they align with company objectives
• Lead teams on projects to improve safety and quality, reducing cost, and improving schedule performance
• Relay findings, progress, and improvements to management and senior leaders
• Facilitate and lead meetings with various leadership positions 
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement in the organization
• Work with leadership and employees on applying Lean and Six Sigma approaches to achieve process excellence
• Provide mentorship to employees when leading change
• Identify and eliminate the barriers that prevent successful attainment of company’s improvement goals

You will need strong project management skills capable of progressing multiple projects at the same time while controlling project spans and delivering on objectives, and the ability to work under minimal supervision and in a team environment. Candidates must be capable of taking assertive initiative while maintaining stakeholder engagement to accomplish challenging tasks, work as Change Agents to remove barriers that hinder change, and earn the trust & respect of everyone from front-line employees to supervision to the leadership team, and our military and civilian Navy customers.

Selected MDA applicants will remain in their current job title.  

This is an on-site position located in Groton, CT.

Required:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 4-year degree in science or business, 3+ years of Electric Boat experience, OR 1+ years of either Continuous Improvement or Lean Six Sigma experience
• 1+ years of project management experience with a working knowledge of the principles of analytical problem-solving techniques
• Candidate must successfully complete company provided Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt training, pass training course exams, and complete certification requirements to remain in this role
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Clearance

Preferred:

• Training in Lean Manufacturing and/or Lean Six Sigma Black/Green Belt
• Electric Boat Lean Six Sigma Yellow/Green/Black/Master Black Belt certification highly desired
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Toyota Production Systems, and other related continuous improvement approaches is highly desired
• Experience in leading teams in collaborative problem-solving projects is highly desired
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification desired
• Experience in creating culture change or leading change
• Experience in developing Continuous Improvement strategies and vision
• Prior Electric Boat relevant experience 

Skills:

• Lead teams in Continuous Improvement projects that leverage team experience & creativity, and use logic and tools to improve the process. Lead the teams in developing and implementing their own solutions.
• Turn data into information and drive data-based decision making. They must also possess an understanding of probability and statistics.
• Oral and written presentation skills including communicating with all levels from front line employees to the management team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and works well in a team environment. Strong emotional intelligence skills.
• Candidates must possess the professional discipline required to accomplish challenging tasks, and work as Change Agents to remove barriers that hinder change.
• Persistent, patient, and kind.
• Demonstrated ability to close out projects on time with desired results.