The Head of Manufacturing & Quality will be responsible for leading all aspects of production operations at JetZero. This senior leadership role will establish the manufacturing strategy, oversee facility ramp-up, and drive the transition from prototype to full-scale production. The ideal candidate combines deep aerospace manufacturing experience with a passion for innovation, operational excellence, and team leadership. The candidate will have successfully demonstrated the ability to create and implement a high-performance aerospace manufacturing organization and production system leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies.

This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and will be based onsite in Greensboro, NC.

What You'll Do:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the manufacturing strategy for JetZero’s blended wing aircraft program, including production planning, quality, safety, and cost efficiency.
• Build a world-class manufacturing organization, recruiting and developing top talent across production, maintenance, and engineering disciplines.
• Create and champion a culture of operational excellence throughout all aspects of JetZero.
• Partner with executive leadership on capacity planning, factory layout, and long-term operational scalability.

Operations & Execution

• Lead startup and ramp-up of the Greensboro production facilities, including commissioning of production lines, tooling, and automation systems.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement systems to maximize throughput, yield, and reliability.
• Oversee manufacturing engineering, supply chain integration, materials management, and logistics to ensure seamless operations.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with FAA, OSHA, and environmental standards.
• Implement a quality management system and support processes which will enable JetZero to receive FAA Production Certification concurrent with FAA Type Certification of the production aircraft.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Design, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure manufacturability and design-to-cost alignment.
• Drive integration between digital manufacturing systems, ERP, and quality management tools.
• Serve as a key liaison with local and state stakeholders to support workforce development and community engagement in partnership with JetZero’s Government Affairs and HR.
• Responsible for budgetary performance of all manufacturing operations including capital expenditures associated with bringing the production facilities on-line in collaboration with Corporate Finance.

What You Bring:

• 15+ years of experience in aerospace or advanced manufacturing, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven record of leading greenfield manufacturing site development and high-rate production ramp-ups.
• Expertise in lean production, advanced manufacturing technologies, and automation systems.
• Strong understanding of aerospace quality systems (AS9100, FAA Part 21, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale large, cross-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with composite structures, large-scale assembly.
• Prior leadership in a startup or early-stage industrial environment.
• Familiarity with digital twin and model-based manufacturing systems.

Compensation:

Our compensation package is a blend of base salary and equity options for eligible employees. The range for this role is $270,000 to $300,000. We consider a number of factors when presenting a final offer, including geography, internal equity and years of experience and expertise.

Benefits

• Generous PTO
• 12 paid holidays
• 401(k)
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Equity tax advisory services
• Supportive work culture