Performance Excellence & CI Operations Engineer Sr. Staff - Level 5

Reference: 735269BRPosted: 2026-07-22Location: Littleton, ColoradoSalary: $111,700 - $196,880Clearance: NoneCompany: Lockheed MartinDescription:Protecting what matters most is the mission that matters most.Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more — we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future. At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security vision. We’re erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we’re reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity. Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.Are you looking for a growth opportunity where you can contribute to a very important mission? Come and be part of our team in the dynamic world of Lockheed Martin Space. We are seeking an experienced level 5 Operations Engineer to work at our Littleton, CO site.With a focus on productivity, you will lead Continuous Improvement efforts targeted toward streamlining existing processes, optimizing cycle times, reducing errors, and improving customer satisfaction as identified by the business strategy. You will also provide mentorship to many organizational projects/employees by sharing best practices and knowledge around continuous improvement tools and methodologies, project management and team leadership. It will be vital that you be able to quickly understand the business in order to recommend improved, strategic and sustainable solutions as well as identify further opportunities for improvement. In this role you will partner closely with senior leadership and the job requires high proficiency in clear communication, navigating political landscapes, change management, and the ability to effectively influence with limited authority. Experience in the Space defense contracting industry is highly encouraged. This position will require an average of 10% or less travel.Job Functions/Responsibilities:• Embed within functional/program teams to assess, prioritize, and execute improvement opportunities.• Apply Cost Improvement tools such as Project Management, ROI, Cycle Time reduction, Standard Work, Visual Management, FMEA, and Control Charts to identify root causes.• Define & track metrics, deliver quantified results including cost savings, future business cost measures, and schedule reductions.• Prepare executive briefings and dashboards that translate technical findings into strategic business language.• Facilitate key business improvement events at varying levels, strategic project reviews, and executive presentations.Basic Qualifications:• Education:- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline. Advanced degree preferred• Experience:- 10+ years of progressive experience in process improvement, operations engineering, or consulting roles within a large, complex organization (defense, aerospace, manufacturing, or similar)• Leadership:- Ability to influence without direct authority; strong stakeholder management across diverse functional groups• Due to programs being supported, U.S. citizenship is requiredDesired Skills:• Education:-Master’s degree in engineering or business.• Fit:- Extensive knowledge of Space and defense business models, programs, and contracts.-Project management foundations: demonstrated ability to develop detailed implementation plans, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.-Technical acumen: familiarity with business tools (e.g., MS Project, Open Plan, SAP, Atlassian suite, Tableau).Facilitation:- Command and control of meeting rooms; adept at keeping teams focused, managing conflict, and driving consensus• Consulting Acumen:- Proven track record of acting as a consultant—designing problem solving approaches, facilitating workshops, and delivering actionable recommendations to senior executives-Change leadership capability: skilled at communicating vision, addressing resistance, and rallying cross-functional teams.• Continuous Improvement:-Experience with Agile, systems thinking, change management, or other data driven improvement methodologies with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each. - Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt to apply Lean Six Sigma DMAIC skills and techniques with demonstrable project leadership and documented results (e.g., $MM savings, % reduction in lead time, process velocity)-Proactive root cause focus: demonstrated initiative to investigate and resolve the underlying causes of process slowness or inefficiency.• Analytical Rigor:- Strong quantitative skills; proficiency with statistical software (Minitab, JMP) and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).-Command Media implementation: experience applying command media or customer/industry standards to projects, including requirements and compliance strategies. • Communication:- Ability to craft clear, concise narratives for both technical and non technical audiences; polished written and verbal presentation skills-Customer requirements experience: direct exposure to analyzing customer SOWs, technical specifications, and regulatory constraints; skill at identifying scope creep drivers and negotiating realistic trade offs. • Strategic Thinking: - Understands how operational improvements tie to broader business objectives and defense acquisition cycles• Adaptability:- Comfortable navigating ambiguous environments and shifting priorities; quick learner of new business domains• Collaboration:- Team oriented mindset; builds strong relationships across engineering, program management, finance, and senior leadershipTo promote the sharing of ideas, Lockheed Martin encourages big-picture thinking. Our employees play an active role in strengthening the quality of life where we live and work by volunteering more than 850,000 hours annually. Benefits you can enjoy include:• Medical {many choices of plans; some LM locations have on-site medical}• Dental • 401k {with generous matching}• Generous paid time off • Work/life balance, family-friendly environment • Career development, career-growth, and lots of learning opportunities for aspiring minds• Fun, talented, and witty teammates• Knowledgeable, supportive, and engaged leadership• Community-minded organization• Mentorship opportunities• Rewards & recognition• Generous Tuition Reimbursement We are committed to enabling transitioning veterans to connect with their communities and find new purpose as they reintegrate into civilian life. By clicking on the link, you can find out more on how we proudly support Hiring Our Heroes.Clearance Level: NoneOther Important Information You Should KnowExpression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.Schedule for this Position: 9x80 every other Friday offPay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $111,700 - $196,880. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.This position is incentive plan eligible.Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours. Our customers tackle the hardest missions. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision. They’re dangerous. Critical. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives. Those are the missions we care about.As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin’s vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers’ toughest challenges. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U.S., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories.Experience Level: Experienced ProfessionalBusiness Unit: SPACERelocation Available: PossibleCareer Area: ManufacturingType: Full-TimeShift: First