Senior FLIGHT DECK Leader – Transformation

About this role

Job Description Summary
Are 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 Description
Essential 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 university

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in manufacturing operations or manufacturing engineering

• A 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 plus

• Experience as a FLIGHT DECK practitioner or with a comparable lean operating system

• Experience 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 operations

• Experience preparing, facilitating and sustaining 3–5 day Kaizen Events, from framing the problem statement through ownership of follow-up actions

• Hands-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 leaders

• Experience applying lean in both shop-floor and transactional environments

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FLIGHT 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 floor

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Player-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 it

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Communication:…