Principal Industrial Engineer

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $7.4 Billion in revenue in 2024, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2024 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report. Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Born from many well-known and long-standing brands, Howmet Fastening Systems, headquartered in Torrance, California, is the premier designer and manufacturer of aerospace and industrial fasteners, latches, fluid fittings and installation tools. Our products are used nose to tail on commercial and military aircraft, as well as on jet engines, industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, wind turbines, solar power systems, and construction and industrial equipment.

Job Duties and Responsibilities 

Responsible for managing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives at Howmet Fastening System’s (HFS). Please note: While this position is externally posted as a Principal Industrial Engineer to reflect the technical expertise required, the internal functional title for this role is Continuous Improvement Manager. This role drives and leads a wide range of activities that are designed to improve operations efficiency, productivity, and on-time delivery while minimizing cost and waste.

• Define activities that require engineered solutions resulting in reduced waste, improved quality, improved throughput, increased machine/person ratio, improved safety, and improved business unit DVP%. 

• Lead and collaborate with cross functional internal teams focused on shop floor factory improvements, which could include CAPEX. 

• Standardize process and document for repeatability, train and certify operators.

• Understand and analyze Profit and Loss (P&L) statements to identify opportunities for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and margin improvement.

• Analyze existing processes and identify areas for improvement through data-driven methods such as Lean Six Sigma principles, root cause analysis, and statistical tools.

• Act as internal consultant and catalyst to assist plant leadership, individuals, and teams in the application of continuous improvement principles and techniques to improve operations.

• Drive consistent, uniform approaches for visual controls and productivity measurements to be utilized throughout production teams and the factory.

• Facilitate successful Kaizen and rapid improvement process events with employees, customers and suppliers, with a major emphasis on locally focused improvement. Provide support for all follow-throughs required to sustain the improvements during the events.

• Instruct and train others in continuous process improvements, including the use of various problem solving and productivity techniques such as process mapping and cost time management.

• Provide formal training on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts, principles, and practices. Utilize a learn-by-doing approach, supplementing classroom work with hands-on training

• Assist team leaders in team skill and knowledge development to support meeting management goals, project management, improvements, results measurements, problem solving and related team skills.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and measure the impact of improvement initiatives.

• Role may support other HFS sites’ continuous improvement activities, as needed (e.g., training, project-based work, best practice support, etc.)

• Drive change management efforts to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of process improvements.

• Identify and share best practices, lessons learned, and success stories to promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the organization.

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package available day one of hire, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location. The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $160,000.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution, preferred in Engineering and/or Business

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a manufacturing work environment, which has provided a working knowledge of lean manufacturing and rapid improvement techniques.

• Minimum of one (1) year of leadership experience 

• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States.  Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

•  This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant’s ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong proficiency with computer systems and programs (MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint, querying databases, ERP systems. etc.)

• Experience working in an aerospace and/or manufacturing environment

• Experience in data analysis, compliance oversight, or leading cross-functional teams for operational efficiency

• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple large projects and interact with all organization levels

• Experience conducting comprehensive data analysis on operational metrics, logs, and incident reports to identify trends, risks, and vulnerabilities

• Familiarity with federal, state, and local security regulations, as well as industry standards for compliance and risk management

• Experience managing multiple complex projects and delivering under tight deadlines and resource constraints.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report. Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email [email protected]