Head Of Methods Engineering - VSM (A220)

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Job Description:

Airbus U.S. Manufacturing is seeking a Head of Methods Engineering (VSM) to join our A220 team based in Mobile, AL.

Head of Methods Engineering & Value Stream Management (VSM) will lead our Technical Shop Floor Support (TSFS) department for the A220 Final Assembly Line (FAL). In this pivotal leadership role, you will direct a high-performing engineering team embedded within Autonomous Production Teams (APTs), ensuring flawless production execution, rigorous quality alignment, and Value Stream Management (VSM) optimization across the shop floor. As a key member of our leadership team, you will serve as the primary subject matter expert on-site and act as the designated backup to the Director of Manufacturing Engineering.

Meet the Team:

Our Engineers at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing facility take our aircraft from concept to customer delivery - working with production teams on every aspect of assembly from managing technical information, quality control, maintenance tasks and health & safety - along flowlines and flightlines. Join our team and watch our aircraft come to life. The team at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing facilities help assemble the finest aircraft in the world, along with three production lines for the A220 and A320 Family aircraft. On the shop floor you’ll be surrounded by individuals who are passionate about aviation and skilled in areas like electrical, structure and quality. Join our team and help build the next generation of aircraft.

Your working environment:

On ‘Airbus Way’ you will find the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility for commercial aircraft. Opened at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in 2015, the facility produces A320 Family aircraft and added a second product line for the A220 in 2019. The facility, which strengthens the U.S. aerospace industry, is part of Airbus’ strategy to enhance its global competitiveness by meeting the growing needs of its customers in the United States and beyond.

How we care for you:

• Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
  
• Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.
  
• Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.
  
• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.
  

Your Challenges:

Key Responsibilities:

Task and Team Management

• Strategic People Leadership: In line with the Airbus leadership model, directly manage, engage, and motivate a team of 10 to 30 manufacturing engineers . Utilize established HR processes and development tools to build a trustful, inclusive, and high-performing shop floor support team .
  
• Operational Deliverables & Milestone Execution: Direct day-to-day Technical Shop Floor Support (TSFS) operations to ensure all engineering deliverables meet time, cost, and quality standards . Ensure specific FAL work orders and concessions are resolved and released in alignment with strict FAL milestones .
  
• Technical Escalation & Shop Floor Support: Serve as the final technical escalation point for production teams within the Autonomous Production Teams (APTs), providing rapid resolution to urgent, complex issues .
  
• Resource & Tooling Availability: Oversee and manage the critical availability of replacement parts, jigs, and production tools required to sustain uninterrupted line operations .
  
• Reporting & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Analyze real-time production data, generate reports, and regularly align with the Manufacturing Engineering back office regarding engineering variations . Maintain a facts-driven, "out of silos" communication loop with Production, Quality, and Logistics .
  
• Performance Architecture: Drive absolute accountability for the department’s performance by defining, improving, and tracking daily, weekly, monthly, and annual KPIs (including SQCDP/PPC metrics) .
  

Continuous Improvement

• Value Stream Optimization: Champion localized Value Stream Management (VSM) to systematically detect, isolate, and eliminate non-added-value activities, protecting short-, mid-, and long-term line profitability .
  
• Recurrent Non-Conformity Eradication: Partner cross-functionally with Quality to analyze recurrent non-conformities, architecting long-term corrective and preventive methods to secure customer satisfaction .
  
• Airbus Operating System Advocacy: Actively participate as an influential team member supporting broad Manufacturing Engineering projects and anchoring all shop floor activities to the formal Airbus Operating System
  

Project Support

• Project Metric Development: Establish, update, and manage project-specific KPIs to ensure clear, executive-level visibility into ongoing engineering initiatives .
  
• Transnational Collaboration: Regularly interface and collaborate with European manufacturing sites and engineering colleagues to gain guidance, share operational benchmarks, and standardize methods for complex, repeating technical challenges .
  
• Strategic Project Architecture: Lead the team through upcoming line changes, proactively anticipating future assembly projects and capacity scaling required to support the long-term expansion of the FAL
  

Other duties as assigned.

Your Boarding Pass:

Required Qualifications:

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
  

Required Experience

• 6+ years of manufacturing engineering experience
  

Preferred Experience

• Prior leadership experience within a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing environment (similar to the Airbus Mobile site).
  
• Deep knowledge of supply chain, quality management systems, aircraft structure installation, and SAP/R3 tools.
  
• International business exposure; fluency in German or French is a strong plus.
  

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

Required:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and tools used in manufacturing engineering.
  
• Knowledge of supply chain management and quality system management.
  
• Knowledge about non-conformities and design query notes.
  

Preferred Technical Systems Proficiency

• Knowledge of Airbus Industries mechanical process & methods.
  
• Knowledge of Airbus IT-Tools (Zamiz, TAKSY, DocMaster, ECM).
  
• Knowledge of common applications such as SAP/R3 (Module PP/PM).
  
• Knowledge about aircraft structure installation.
  
• Knowledge of rules for aircraft design and manufacturing.
  
• Knowledge of health, safety and environmental regulations and practice
  

Eligibility: Must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
  
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
  
• Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
  
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
  
• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
  
• Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
  
• Pushing / Pulling: able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
  
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
  
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
  
• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.
  
• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice.
  
• Walking

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:
Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type:
Permanent

Experience Level:
Professional

Remote Type:
On-site

Job Family:
Leadership
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