Process Improvement Manager

Join to apply for the Process Improvement Manager role at Canopy Aerospace & Defense Pay Range Base pay: $120,000.00 – $160,000.00 per year. Additional compensation may include bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. Canopy A&D is built to accelerate the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. We deliver specialized materials and components that carry customers from concept through sustainment. Our advanced signal attenuation technologies and production‑scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve. Physical Requirements / Work Environments Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lbs and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings and digital media Valid US driver’s license and ability to operate motor vehicles Export Control Requirements To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Canopy A&D is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. Job Summary The Process Improvement Manager is a key operational role responsible for implementing continuous improvement initiatives across the Canopy Aerospace operating companies. The role focuses on developing and implementing projects to increase production efficiency, optimize delivery execution, and assist in planning strategic investments. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, detail‑oriented leader who can apply data‑driven methodologies to solve operational challenges while maintaining compliance with industry quality and regulatory standards. Key Responsibilities Project Implementation and Support Develop and implement operational improvement projects to increase production output and lower costs across product lifecycles Conduct root cause analyses, proactively address system‑level challenges, and develop action plans Continually identify and prioritize improvement opportunities across the platform Drive and own projects from end‑to‑end Assist in evaluating and planning investments in new machinery, tooling, and infrastructure Drive business cases, including ROI analyses, cost benchmarking, and proposal development Performance Monitoring Track, monitor, and manage KPIs across the portfolio Partner with company leadership to analyze performance data and develop sustainable solutions Cross‑Functional Partnership Collaborate with Program Management and Technical Program Management to problem‑solve and align on improvement priorities Identify workflow inefficiencies across platform functions and support optimization efforts Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellenceSupport due diligence and data integration for M&A Required Qualifications and Skills Education Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering. Experience 6‑8+ years of progressively responsible experience in production operations, systems engineering, process improvement, or operational excellence roles 5+ years of experience leading multiple complex technical projects Practical experience supporting capital expenditure development and execution Extensive project and program management experience Prior experience in Aerospace and Defense or a similar regulated technical industry is preferred Skills Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making ability in ambiguous environments Demonstrated ability to break down complex problems into fundamental truths and reassemble solutions from first principles Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to influence change and build consensus with senior leaders Expertise with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) Job Details Type: Full Time, Exempt (Salaried) Base Salary Range: $120,000 – $160,000 Base Location: Primary preference: Ontario, California. Secondary preference: Riverside, California. Travel: As needed to various company facilities Benefits: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance; retirement plan participation (eligibility required); paid sick leave; paid vacation; paid holidays; discretionary bonuses Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Canopy Aerospace & Defense by 2x. #J-18808-Ljbffr