Reliability and Continuous Improvement Engineer

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

Summary Of Position

The Reliability & Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for increasing equipment uptime, improving process capability, reducing variation, and driving waste out of production systems across our customer’s aircraft production facility. This role combines engineering, data analytics, structured problem-solving, and shop-floor engagement to ensure our manufacturing processes perform safely, efficiently, and predictably. The engineer partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and EH&S to build a culture of reliability and continuous improvement.

Essential Functions

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

List the essential duties of the role

• Updating and managing the existing Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and training staff to ensure all relevant data is captured accurately.
• Acquiring relevant data from the existing Quality Management System (QMS).
• Analyzing data on a weekly basis (or more frequently when needed) to generate relevant metrics including: OEE, Availability, Performance, Quality, MTBF, MTTR, cycle time, first pass yield, rework.
• Performing Root Cause Analysis on downtime and quality events, revising/updating CMMS logging categories as needed and generating Pareto Charts for all OEE losses and root causes.
• Developing mitigation plans for all root causes which significantly impact OEE
• Submit monthly Continuous Improvement Reports to NGC representatives and review on a quarterly basis (or more frequently if needed).
• Develop and oversee routine audits to ensure compliance with relevant standards
• Document all safety incidents, perform 5Y Root Cause Analysis and report per NGC requirements.
  
  

Required Skills, Education, And Experience

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• This position must meet Export Control Compliance requirements, therefore a "US Person" as defined by 22.C.F.R. is required
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering – Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical preferred
• 2 years in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, defense, or other advanced manufacturing industries.
• Hands-on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or CI methodologies (Green Belt preferred).
• Working knowledge of reliability engineering tools (RCA, FMEA, Weibull analysis, PM optimization).
• Experience in machining, fabrication, or complex assemblies preferred.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, Minitab, SQL a plus).
• Strong communication skills with ability to train and influence across all levels.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance
• Experience creating and delivering CI training to shop-floor employees.
• Knowledge of TPM, SMED, ergonomic improvements, and shop-floor layout optimization.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and digital work instructions.
• Professional certifications: Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), PMP, CMQ/OE.
  
  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• None
  
  

Travel Requirements

• None
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.
  
  

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• PTO
• 401k Match
  
  

Special Requirements

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free 1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.