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 in supporting the U.S. Navy and strengthening national security.

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 US Navy. You will use 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.

You will guide organizations in developing and implementing improvement strategies and creating tangible and significant improvements.

The successful candidate 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.

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

One critical challenge is the massive amount of non‑linear production where the manufacturing activities are not endless repeats of a few processes, but rather high levels of diversity in the work being performed. Selected candidates will 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 focus on optimizing linear (assembly line style) flow or local optimization but on 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.

Selected candidates will demonstrate strong project management skills capable of progressing multiple projects at the same time while controlling project spans and delivering on objectives. The ability to work under minimal supervision and in a team environment is required. Candidates must combine assertive initiative with stakeholder support to accomplish challenging tasks, work as change agents to remove barriers that hinder change, and earn the trust and respect of everyone from front‑line employees to the leadership team and our military and civilian Navy customers.

Selected MDA applicants will remain in their current job title.

This position is located at the Groton, CT location.

• 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
• Give presentations to Managers & Directors
• Create Groton Operations Metric packages
• Facilitate and lead meetings with various leadership positions
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement in the organization
• Work with leadership and employees on applying Lean and Six Sigma approaches to help achieve process excellence
• Provide mentorship to employees when leading change
• Identify and eliminate the barriers that prevent successful attainment of company’s improvement goals

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 4+ year degree in science or business, OR 4+ years of Electric Boat experience OR 4+ years of continuous improvement experience
• 1+ years of project management skills with a working knowledge of the principles of analytical problem‑solving techniques
• Can…