Lean Manufacturing Co-Op (Spring/Summer 2026)(Onsite)

Date Posted:

2025-08-21

Country:

United States of America

Location:

A01: Rockford - Aerospace 4747 Harrison Avenue, Rockford, IL, 61125 USA

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance:

None/Not Required

The CI Co-Op will play a pivotal role in enhancing operations at the Rockford, IL plant by planning, coordinating, and executing continuous improvement initiatives. This position involves recommending process and procedural changes to meet company goals in cost, efficiency, and quality. The Co-Op will compile and analyze key process indicators to ensure these objectives are achieved, develop and manage quality programs to support internal and external stakeholders, and facilitate various improvement activities, including time observations, value stream mapping, process certification, PFMEA, and root cause problem-solving events. 

Immerse yourself in a full-time, Monday-Friday co-op session, that will run January-August (including the Spring semester; it is expected students will take a semester off from coursework to fully engage with this working mentorship opportunity).

What You Will Do:

• The CI co-op will be heavily involved in supporting the Rockford, IL plant site in the planning, coordinating and execution of continuous improvement initiatives and engagements.
• Recommends process and procedural changes to ensure that company objectives in the areas of cost, efficiency, and quality are met.
• Compiles and analyzes key process indicators that focus on organization objectives in the areas of cost, efficiency, and quality are met.
•  Develops and manages quality programs to assist internal staff, suppliers, customers, and partners with initiatives to reengineer processes and methods that adequately assure quality of an organization's products.
•  Facilitates time observations, value stream and or process mapping, manufacturing standard work, process certification, PFMEA, & Root Cause Problem Solving event facilitation and manages pre & post event execution.

What You Will Learn:

• Process Improvement Techniques: Gain hands-on experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including value stream mapping, process mapping, and root cause problem solving to drive efficiency and quality.
• Project Management: Build skills in planning, coordinating, and executing continuous improvement initiatives, managing both pre and post-event activities to ensure successful outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working with teams across the organization, gaining insights into how different departments interact and contribute to overall operational success.
• Change Management: Learn effective strategies for facilitating process changes and ensuring smooth implementation, helping teams adapt and embrace new practices.
• Lean Manufacturing Practices: Acquire practical knowledge in lean principles such as standard work, PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), and other methodologies to streamline operations and minimize waste.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and student must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an applicable discipline.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract

Learn More and Apply Now!

Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

We make modern flight possible for millions of travelers and our military every second.  Our major product lines are on-board virtually every aircraft flying. Be it keeping passengers safe with our emergency power generation systems, or creating a positive in flight experience through reliable cabin pressure controls and quieter engines, Power & Controls focuses on delivering a best-in-class experience to our customers. We hire the top people in the industry. Their ideas drive our performance, and their integrity keeps our customers happy. Join us as we take flight!

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Ae