Mid-Level Continuous Improvement Specialist
Spirit AeroSystems · Wichita, KS
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Base pay
- $72k–$110k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist continuous improvement role at Spirit AeroSystems (aerospace & defense) in Wichita, KS. Develop a Lean Strategy/Plan for improvement.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value stream mapping, Kanban, SAP
- Base pay
- $72k–$110k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Continuous Improvement roles in Kansas: typical posted base $72k–$110k. This one lists $72k–$110k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 5 continuous improvement openings in Kansas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Kansas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 360 other live lean / ci postings in the US.
- Base pay
- About 26% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $101k–$144k, from 124 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 84%
- ✓ Six Sigma 54%
- ✓ Value stream mapping 48%
- ✓ Kaizen 48%
- Root cause 44%
- 5S 32%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Kanban, SAP, Union environment, 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 Spirit AeroSystems
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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 did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 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: Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita
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Full description from Spirit AeroSystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Position
Responsibilities
Provide awareness, knowledge, guidance, and the application of Lean principles, methodologies, and tools to support achievement of Spirit Lean culture. Gather Customer requirements. Evaluates the current situation. Determine boundaries or scope of the project. Perform analysis of existing processes. Collect supporting performance metrics. Document the process. Develop a Lean Strategy/Plan for improvement. Select the proper Lean Tool(s) and/or Lean Training that supports the Strategy/Plan. Coach, train and mentor cross-functional teams in proper use and application of Lean tools including but not limited to: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 6S, Kanban, GEMBA meetings, 7 Elements of Surgery, Kitting and Outfitting, 3P, AIW, RCCA. Engage the workforce to achieve successful implementation of Kaizen events. Implement the Lean Strategy/Plan meeting Customer Expectations. Document accomplishments. Facilitation of Continuous Improvement for cost savings. Performs trend analysis of shop performance measures to identify opportunities for improvements.
Qualifications
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): 5+ years related work experience Strong computer skills with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Word Lean Manufacturing Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with executive leaders Ability to manage with influence and provide leadership throughout multiple teams simultaneously Proven ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously (coordination, status and performance to plan) Cross-functional coordination and leadership to achieve project goals SAP, ERP,MRP, and EXRP experience Risk assessment and mitigation. Demonstrated ability to foster business partnerships with internal customers Preferred knowledge of manufacturing environment, lean processing, and industrial engineering concepts
Preferred Qualifications
(Desired Skills/Experience): Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent experience Six Sigma PMP or other PMI Certification Individual project management and tracking as part of a larger portfolio Ability to create and present in depth presentations to executive level management Schedule development by project appropriate to project scope Technical background to be able to work with cross functional teams Ability to integrate large multi-year projects and small near-term projects Business acumen to quantify implications of projects and the ability to coordinate with Finance on tracking to plan Union: This is a union-represented position. Drug Free Workplace: We are a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. Pay & Benefits: We strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. We also provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Summary Pay Range - Mid-Level (Level 3): $71,700 - $109,950 Kansas Tax Credit: Join Spirit AeroSystems’ Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Click here for more information on the tax credit.
Position
Responsibilities
Provide awareness, knowledge, guidance, and the application of Lean principles, methodologies, and tools to support achievement of Spirit Lean culture. Gather Customer requirements. Evaluates the current situation. Determine boundaries or scope of the project. Perform analysis of existing processes. Collect supporting performance metrics. Document the process. Develop a Lean Strategy/Plan for improvement. Select the proper Lean Tool(s) and/or Lean Training that supports the Strategy/Plan. Coach, train and mentor cross-functional teams in proper use and application of Lean tools including but not limited to: Value Stream Mapping (VSM), 6S, Kanban, GEMBA meetings, 7 Elements of Surgery, Kitting and Outfitting, 3P, AIW, RCCA. Engage the workforce to achieve successful implementation of Kaizen events. Implement the Lean Strategy/Plan meeting Customer Expectations. Document accomplishments. Facilitation of Continuous Improvement for cost savings. Performs trend analysis of shop performance measures to identify opportunities for improvements.
Basic
Qualifications
(Required Skills/Experience): 5+ years related work experience Strong computer skills with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Word Lean Manufacturing Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with executive leaders Ability to manage with influence and provide leadership throughout multiple teams simultaneously Proven ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously (coordination, status and performance to plan) Cross
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Overview This role is at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting Spirit’s Commercial Business Units (“Spirit Commercial”). Spirit Commercial designs and builds commercial aerostructures, including for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, one of Boeing’s three business units and the premier manufacturer of commercial jetliners for decades. Spirit Commercial’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components, with a focus on innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions.
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