Senior Specialist, Project Engineering

About the job

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Project Engineering

Job Code: 46409

Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Job Schedule: 9/80 - Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants

Job Description:

The Operations Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead—recognized internally as a Unit Owner—is responsible for cost, schedule, and technical performance for operations scope within an assigned product line. This role leads production execution for optical-mechanical assemblies, acting as the primary connection between manufacturing staff, the Operations Program Manager (OPM), the Program Management Office (PMO), and all supporting functions.

The Unit Owner drives daily execution, resolves production issues, supports Earned Value Management responsibilities, manages risks and opportunities, and leads continuous improvement focused on cost, schedule, and manufacturing process optimization.

Essential Functions:

• Primary interface between production floor and production planning & control team to the operations program manager of the program(s) or enterprise they are assigned as they drive daily execution of the product line they are responsible for

• Has authority and accountability for the technical, cost, risk/opportunity, and schedule performance of all Operations scope for the product line they are assigned

• Serve as the Control Account Manager (CAM) responsible for managing and reporting on cost and schedule of Operations scope on assigned product line

• Frequent collaboration with multiple functions (e.g., Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Contracts, Manufacturing, etc.) and the program office to promote successful action planning and execution.

• Support overall Program by contributing schedule inputs and changes into the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), maintaining timely and effective change management processes and procedures.

• Monitor action item list, performance and ensure that issues are addressed immediately and corrective actions and recovery plans are implemented expeditiously.

• Plan and coordinate activities to support verification and validation of new processes and product improvements.

• Support Manufacturing and Production Readiness Reviews for the portion specific to their product line

• Facilitate Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Quality participation in design development to identify and address manufacturability, testability and inspectability issues.

• Develop, implement and sustain success metrics, incorporating best practices, and effectively communicating improvements and promoting Lean initiatives that drive cost savings.

• Effectively manage performance and key deliverables across a matrix organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field with 6+ years relevant experience, OR, Master’s degree in related field with 4+ years relevant experience, OR, In lieu of a degree: 10+ years directly relevant experience.

• Active Secret Clearance required

• Experience working with high-reliability, spaceflight-grade mechanical optical hardware.

• Experience in manufacturing or test engineering roles.

• Demonstrated ability to lead production constraint resolution and process improvements.

• Experience leading RCCA activities.

• Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Ability to obtain IPT Lead and EVMS certification through internal training.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Knowledge of manufacturing flows, BOMs, routers, shop order processes, and engineering drawings.

• Prior operations leadership experience (IPT, campaign or production cell lead).

• Experience managing program budgets.

• Project management experience.

• Lean Six Sigma experience and process improvement leadership.

• Experience with KPI development and management.

• Strong communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.