Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement Intern

The Operational Excellence (OpEx) / Continuous Improvement Intern will support performance improvement, compliance, and operational excellence initiatives within the ARC / Hexcel production environment. This role partners closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supply Chain, and Engineering to identify operational gaps, eliminate waste, strengthen process capability, and support the site in meeting regulatory, customer, and business requirements.

The intern will be taught Lean, Six Sigma, and data‑driven problem‑solving methodologies to improve throughput, reduce defects, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement across the site.

Key Responsibilities:

Continuous Improvement & Lean Deployment

• Support and facilitate Lean initiatives including 5S, standard work, visual management, and value stream mapping across multiple factory areas.
• Identify production bottlenecks and assist in implementing sustainable solutions to improve flow and reduce cycle time.
• Conduct time studies, process mapping, waste analysis, and capacity evaluations to optimize production performance.

Process Standardization & Documentation

• Support the development and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions to ensure clarity, consistency, and audit readiness.
• Assist in creating visual management, work instructins, and training materials for production personnel.

Training & CI Culture Support

• Assist with coaching technicians on Lean principles, problem‑solving techniques, and best practices.
• Participate in Gemba walks, tier meetings, and continuous improvement workshops.
• Promote a culture of accountability and proactive issue identification.

Cost Optimization & Value Creation

• Support identification and delivery of continuous improvement savings through scrap reduction, yield improvement, labor optimization, and process efficiency.
• Contribute to efforts aimed at reducing cost per unit through improved throughput and reduced rework.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED (required)
• Strong interest in continuous improvement and operational excellence
• Basic knowledge or coursework in Lean and/or Six Sigma
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

This position is restricted to U.S. citizens due to U.S. government contract regulations that require the employment of only persons who are U.S. citizens. Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) is a global leader in advanced composites technology, a leading producer of carbon fiber, and the world leader in honeycomb manufacturing for the commercial aerospace industry.

Hexcel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.