Continuous Improvement Specialist Jobs

Date Posted:

2026-11-10

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-IL-ROCKFORD-P6 ~ 4747 Harrison Ave ~ 4747 HARRISON AVE-P6

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type:

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status:

Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do

As a Continuous Improvement CORE Lead/Industrial Engineer, you will play a critical role in driving operational excellence and efficiency across manufacturing operations. Leveraging Lean methodologies and Industrial Engineering principles, you will lead initiatives to improve productivity, cost, and quality while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Serve as the site owner for CORE deployment, sustainment, and maturity.
• Connect CI/Lean activities to the long-term operational goals of the site.
• Ensure CORE tools are integrated into daily operations and not treated as side projects.
• Identify improvement opportunities by analyzing performance data, understanding operational gaps, and anticipating future needs.
• Recommend impactful engagements that directly support underperforming KPIs or emerging risks.
• Build a clear roadmap of initiatives aligned with site strategy, resource constraints, and investment priorities.
• Move beyond reactive project selection and demonstrate proactive, forward-looking planning.
• Coach leaders and teams on CORE tools, problem-solving techniques, and standard work.
• Facilitate CORE engagements, including governance reviews, metrics tracking, and escalation processes.
• Apply Industrial Engineering and Lean methods to enhance schedule performance, productivity, cost, and first-time quality.
• Lead structured improvement initiatives using tools such as A3, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), and standard work.
• Identify systemic constraints and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Conduct machine, labor, and process capacity analysis to support demand changes, new product introductions, and ramp scenarios.
• Develop capacity models and identify bottlenecks, implementing mitigation plans.
• Define optimal process flows and sequences of operations.
• Create and maintain Standard Work documentation, ensuring adherence through audits and coaching.
• Design and recommend facility layouts to optimize flow, safety, and cost.
• Lead justification efforts for capital investments tied to throughput, cost, or quality improvements.
• Identify and integrate new technologies, including automation, digital tools, and analytics.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or an Advanced degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Degree in Industrial Engineering.
• Certification in Lean manufacturing or Continuous Improvement methodologies (e.g., CORE, Six Sigma, LEAN).
• Experience managing continuous improvement initiatives with tangible results

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience in the aerospace industry.
• Six Sigma certification.

What We Offer

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!

Learn More & Apply Now!

Operations, Supply Chain and EH&S:

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide.

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.

• Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other - propel us all higher, again and again.

Apply now and be part of the team that’s redefining aerospace, every day!

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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