Continuous Improvement Engineer, Senior
BAE Systems · Aiken, SC
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Base pay
- $88k–$150k
- Degree
- Required
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior continuous improvement role at BAE Systems (aerospace & defense) in Aiken, SC.
- They ask for
- degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping
- Base pay
- $88k–$150k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in South Carolina: typical posted base $97k–$143k. This one lists $88k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 15 continuous improvement openings in South Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 14 other live lean / ci postings in South Carolina.
- Base pay
- About 7% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $97k–$126k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 2+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 67%
- ✓ Six Sigma 53%
- ✓ Value stream mapping 40%
- ✓ Root cause 33%
- SAP 33%
- Green Belt 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Minitab, PLC, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at BAE Systems
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Paul → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: BAE Systems in Aiken
2 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in lean / ci roles at BAE Systems.
- Senior Industrial Engineer - Team Lead · Industrial · Manager
- Maintenance Manager · Reliability · Manager
Full description from BAE SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- ✓Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering or Science or related discipline with four years of related experience, or the overall equivalent
- ✓Experienced in Lean and Continuous Improvement concepts, systems, methodologies and tools
- ✓Lean & Six Sigma certification
- ✓Experience with Quality, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Mechanical engineering departments and activities
- ✓Proven Project Management skills
- ✓Requires innovative problem solving experience with A3, 8D, PDCA, 6 Sigma, Shanin, etc., and systematic thinking
- ✓Highly effective communicator, both written and spoken
- ✓Training experience, both in one-to-one and group settings
- ✓Experience presenting material and providing mentoring and coaching
- ✓Computer experience to include Microsoft Office Suite, Minitab, Visio, or similar applications
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- ✓Toyota Production System exposure
- ✓Lean Transformation experience
- ✓Certified Kaizen Facilitator
- ✓Certified Lean Six Sigma Green / Black Belt
- ✓Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineer
- ✓Experience with Digital CI tools
- ✓Knowledge of Sustainable Manufacturing Practices
Pay Information
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we d
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description How does it feel to work on a team driven to make a big impact? Empowering.
The BAE Systems site in Aiken, SC is seeking a seasoned Continuous Improvement Engineer. In this role as a senior-level Continuous Improvement Engineer, you will help develop and sustain a lean culture using various Lean tools with a focus on achieving world-class safety and manufacturing performance. You will perform all aspects of Continuous Improvement (CI) activities, driven by business needs and company strategies/objectives.
Business Transformation Initiatives
- •Assist in facilitating end-to-end Lean and Six Sigma transformation projects, including planning, implementation, and evaluation phases.
- •Collaborate with cross-functional team members to identify improvement opportunities and develop comprehensive Lean and Six Sigma strategies aligned with organizational goals.
- •Be accountable for project identification, prioritization, and achievement by applying the models, methods, and standards available, including Visual Management Systems, KPI Metric boards, and tools aligned with plant, department, and program objectives using a “Go and See” approach.
- •Support in developing and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement using various CI tools with a focus on achieving world-class safety and manufacturing performance.
Process Optimization
- •Analyze existing processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement lean methodologies to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.
- •Utilize tools such as value stream mapping, Kaizen events, TPM, and 5S to drive process improvements.
Change Management
- •Act as a change agent to foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
- •Provide guidance and support to stakeholders at all levels to ensure buy-in and successful implementation of lean initiatives.
Training and Development
- •Support and help deliver training programs on lean principles, tools, and techniques to build capability and empower associates to drive improvement at all levels of the organization.
- •Teach and coach Lean leadership concepts and behaviors, including servant leadership and Lean daily management routines, including the use of visual management.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
- •Help establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of CI initiatives. Monitor progress and track performance metrics.
- •Apply project management tools to facilitate all projects within scope (Plant/Department or Area) while ensuring timeline and target accomplishment (which includes savings or additional impact calculation and approvals, project documentation, and 12 months of tracking for sustainability).
Continuous Learning
- •Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging trends, and new technologies related to lean methodologies and continuous improvement.
- •Apply insights to refine existing processes and drive innovation within the organization.
- •Continuously focus on capabilities development and certifications related to CI knowledge and application while helping the development of others.