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Manager, Industrial Engineering & Lean Transformation

AeroVironment


Job Location:

Simi Valley, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 117500 - 179250
Posted: 3 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Worker Type

Regular


Job Description

Summary

The Manager of Industrial Engineering & Lean Transformation is responsible for designing implementing and optimizing manufacturing systems and workflows while leading Lean transformation initiatives. They drive value stream efficiency capacity planning and strategic use of resources ensuring alignment with business goals related to output cost quality and lead time.

Position Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain time standards labor models and production layouts.

  • Lead capacity planning line balancing and throughput optimization.

  • Design and improve facility layouts workstation ergonomics and material flow.

  • Conduct value stream mapping to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

  • Lead Lean transformation initiatives using tools like 5S Kaizen Kanban SMED Standard Work and Visual Management.

  • Deploy Lean Six Sigma methodologies to reduce variation waste and non-value-added activities.

  • Facilitate cross-functional Kaizen events and improvement workshops across departments.

  • Analyze production data to identify trends root causes and improvement opportunities.

  • Establish and track KPIs for productivity efficiency takt time and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

  • Develop cost-benefit analyses for capital projects and process changes.

  • Support factory modernization and digital manufacturing initiatives (e.g. MES automation real-time analytics).

  • Partner with Product Development and NPI teams to drive Design for Manufacturability (DfM) and scalability into new product designs.

  • Train and mentor supervisors engineers and frontline teams in Lean principles.

  • Act as a change agent promoting a culture of ownership accountability and continuous improvement.

  • Build Lean maturity roadmaps and assess organizational readiness for transformation.

  • Partner with Operations Quality Engineering Supply Chain and Program Management to align Lean initiatives with business objectives.

  • Interface with executive leadership to report Lean transformation progress ROI and impact.

  • Represent the Supplier Quality organization in high-level cross-functional meetings and executive updates.

  • Ensure compliance with applicable standards including AS9100 ISO 9001 ITAR and customer-specific quality requirements.

  • Foster a continuous improvement culture within the supplier base and internal SQE team.

  • Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

  • Minimum of 8 years of related experience in high-mix low-volume or complex production environments.

  • Minimum of 3 years of successfully leading manufacturing teams within a product development environment.

  • Bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education training and experience.

  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) strongly preferred.

  • Proficiency in process simulation tools time studies and data analytics.

  • Strong leadership project management and facilitation skills.

  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-mix low-volume production environment.

  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (up to 50%).

  • Strong organizational and time management skills

  • Proven adaptability in fast-paced evolving environments

  • Strategic thinker who anticipates change and fosters team alignment

  • Collaborative team-oriented mindset with a focus on shared success

  • Ownership-driven continuously learning and improvement-focused

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

  • Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements

  • U.S. Citizen U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) orasylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.

  • Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.


Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$117500 - $179250

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the location the role and associated responsibilities a candidates work experience education/training and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments business requirements. A U.S. person according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical dental vision 401K with company matching a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious the relentless the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We dont just build defense technologywe redefine whats possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S. AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air land sea space and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonianbut were not building history were building whats next.

If youre ready to build technology that matterswith speed scale and purposetheres no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/veterans. AeroVironment Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race sex color religion national origin age disability protected veteran status genetic datasexual orientation gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required

Required Experience:

Manager


About Company

Company Logo

AV is a leading manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Loitering Munition Systems, Unmanned Ground Vehicles used for surveillance and reconnaissance by the United States Military, U.S. allies and Commercial Industries. AV also manufactures High-Altitude P ... View more

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