Operational Excellence Engineer

Description

RAM Aerospace is a leader in aerospace innovation, powering flight and space exploration with precision solenoids, valves, and actuators. Since 1975, we've supported missions like the Space Shuttle and continue to deliver mission-critical components for commercial, defense, and satellite systems. As one of Southern Utah's largest employers, we drive economic growth and offer high-skilled careers in engineering and manufacturing. From our advanced facility in St. George, we build the future of aerospace—on time, with excellence, and as a team. Join us to work on groundbreaking technology and help shape the future of flight and space exploration. Your career takes off here!

At RAM Aerospace, the Operational Excellence Engineer drives the Lean and continuous improvement initiatives that keep our manufacturing operations sharp, efficient, and built to scale. This role partners across engineering, production, and quality teams to identify waste, redesign processes, and embed a culture of continuous improvement into how RAM operates. We are especially interested in candidates, including current RAM employees, who bring a strong understanding of RAM's processes, systems, products, and culture. That internal knowledge is difficult to replicate and allows the right person to become effective in this role quickly. While a technical background is valuable, we place equal weight on demonstrated problem-solving ability, project ownership, leadership potential, and the drive to turn ideas into measurable results. This role also offers real career growth: you will gain exposure to multiple departments and disciplines, build a broader understanding of how RAM operates end to end, and gain high visibility with leadership by presenting ideas and communicating project progress on initiatives with organization-wide impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Project Management: Lead and manage projects that span multiple departments and stakeholders, keeping teams aligned and moving toward a common goal. Build strong working relationships across departments, even when priorities or perspectives differ.
• Ownership & Execution: Take ownership of projects from start to finish with minimal need for direction or follow-up. Stay organized and task-oriented, establishing priorities, tracking action items, and keeping timelines and commitments on track.
• Communication & Escalation: Recognize early when a project or task is getting off track, and communicate and escalate obstacles, delays, or resource issues proactively rather than letting them go unaddressed. Communicate effectively with both leadership and shop floor employees, translating ideas into measurable improvements.
• Lean Process Improvement: Apply Lean methodologies, including value stream mapping, 5S, kaizen, and standard work, to identify waste and inefficiencies across production workflows. Identify opportunities for improvement and follow them through to completion, not just identify problems.
• Training & Culture Development: Build Lean capability across the organization through training and coaching, helping shift the culture from reactive problem-solving to proactive process ownership.
• Metrics & Reporting: Develop and maintain operational KPIs and visual management systems. Track improvement project performance and report progress to leadership with data that shows real impact.

Requirements

• Legal: Must be able to pass a comprehensive criminal background check and drug screening.
• ITAR: Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum (due to ITAR requirements).
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field preferred, or equivalent RAM experience and demonstrated process knowledge. Internal candidates with strong understanding of RAM's processes, systems, and products are strongly encouraged to apply even without every listed qualification.
• Demonstrated ability to independently own and manage cross-functional projects, setting priorities, tracking commitments, and keeping timelines on track with minimal oversight.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and engage confidently with both leadership and shop floor teams.
• Experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, or a related field preferred. Familiarity with Lean methodologies (value stream mapping, 5S, kaizen, standard work) is a plus, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt is a plus but not required.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environments is a plus but not required for strong internal candidates.

Why You'll Love Working at RAM – Our Benefits

At RAM Aerospace, we believe our people are our greatest asset. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, work-life balance, and long-term success.

Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance - Comprehensive coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Short-Term Disability & Voluntary Benefits - Additional protection and peace of mind when you need it most.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Confidential support for personal, financial, and emotional well-being.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays - Generous time off to relax, travel, and spend time with loved ones.
• Paid Parental Leave - Time to bond with your new addition and transition smoothly back to work.
• 401(K) Retirement Account - Plan for your future with our 401(K) retirement account, complete with an employer match.
• Tuition Assistance - Invest in your education and future growth with our tuition assistance program.
• Flexible Work Schedule - Balance your work and personal life with a flexible work schedule.

We are committed to creating an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity)

RAM Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. In addition, it is the policy of RAM Aviation, Space & Defense to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances where a particular employee works.

We welcome former military and law enforcement applicants!