Sr Principal Engineer Product

Description

This site-based leadership role sits with the manufacturing team in San Diego, CA, and is titled Continuous Improvement and Digital Transformation Lead.

You will act as the link between factory operations, engineering, quality and program leadership, using digital tools and lean-agile methods to improve cost, quality and schedule.

You will also build the site's CI capability and shape its culture, using structured problem solving, coaching and change management to move business metrics.

Responsibilities

• Act as the site's CI subject matter expert on lean, Six Sigma and advanced problem-solving methods.
• Maintain and roll out CI tools such as the manufacturing playbook and CI toolbox, and bring in other experts when teams need help using them.
• Work hands-on to find the highest-impact problems across the value stream and lead the process fixes.
• Lead digital transformation projects such as production dashboards, data pipelines, MES and ERP integration and advanced analytics that give real-time factory visibility.
• Design and run CI and digital training, answering questions, sharing examples and coaching people on the job.
• Keep the site's CI and digital skill needs current, including lean-agile skills and digital skills such as robotic process automation, business intelligence, digital transformation and data analytics.
• Run value stream mapping, kaizen events and problem-solving workshops that bring cross-functional teams and frontline staff together to remove waste.
• Set and track KPIs for cost, quality and schedule, and quantify the benefits of improvements wherever possible.
• Build and maintain manufacturing technology and automation roadmaps, working with enterprise and sector teams to test and scale new technology.
• Lead the integration of automation and connected systems across PLCs, MES, SCADA and plant-floor IoT to support digital twins, advanced robotics and automated controls.
• Work with IT and process owners to design and launch automation, such as workflow tools, that cut repetitive work and errors.
• Build credibility by seeking chances to engage, showing the value of formal problem-solving tools, and turning CI wins into demand for more improvement.
• Manage change deliberately by engaging stakeholders and customers, making good work visible, and showing how local efforts support program and business goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business or a related field plus 8+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, operations or continuous improvement, or a Master's degree plus 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional CI or digital transformation work in manufacturing or production.
• Experience with lean tools such as value stream mapping, standard work, 5S, visual management and A3 problem solving.
• Experience using data and analytics to make decisions, including production metrics, dashboards and basic statistical analysis.
• Experience facilitating and training cross-functional groups, from shop-floor staff to senior leaders.
• US citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret clearance.
• Familiarity with PLM, ERP and MES systems, plus augmented reality applications and manufacturing simulation software.
• Familiarity with AI and ML uses in manufacturing, such as process optimization, quality monitoring, anomaly detection and predictive maintenance.
• Strong grasp of manufacturing automation, including industrial robotics, digital twin modeling and automated equipment and controls, with proven experience integrating these across PLCs, MES, SCADA and plant-floor IoT.
• Preferred: already holding a DOD Secret clearance.
• Preferred: experience analyzing process and factory performance data with visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), BI or process-mining tools (e.g., Blue Prism, Celonis) and statistical tools (e.g., Minitab).
• Preferred: experience designing or deploying robotic process automation and workflow solutions (e.g., Blue Prism, Power Automate, ServiceNow).
• Preferred: experience with lean and Kaizen methods to cut waste, improve flow and raise productivity in complex plants.
• Preferred: experience running CI projects with agile or scrum-style methods, including backlog management, iteration planning and cadence-based reviews.
• Preferred: strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with advanced problem-solving techniques such as Six Sigma and Shainin Red X to find root causes and set corrective and preventive actions.
• Preferred: expertise in change management and stakeholder engagement, including communication planning, training and reinforcement to sustain improvements.

Conditions

Based in San Diego, CA, with the manufacturing team.

Travel is about 10% of the time.

No relocation assistance is available.

No clearance is needed to start; the clearance type is Secret.

Primary level base salary range is $129,300.00 to $193,900.00, as a general guide. Final offers depend on scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills and market conditions.

The application period is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, and may be shortened or extended based on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package with a health plan, savings plan, paid time off, education assistance, training and development, and a 9/80 work schedule where available.
• Health, life and disability insurance, company-paid holidays, and PTO for vacation and personal business.
• Depending on the position: overtime, shift differential and a discretionary bonus. Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and share company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for long-term incentives.