The Role

This is a hands-on leadership role – deep in the technical trenches with our team. The Avionics and Electro-Mechanical Production team builds and tests the flight hardware that powers, controls, and enables our spacecraft. This includes avionics boxes, batteries, mechanisms and actuators, flight harnesses, as well as the acceptance testing required to deliver flight-ready hardware to vehicle integration.

As Production Manager you will own these work centers from piece part through assembly, test, and final acceptance. You will be accountable for safety, quality, schedule, throughput, and team performance and development, while partnering closely with stakeholders in Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design teams to resolve issues and continuously improve how we build and scale.

You will be expected to understand the hardware, spend dedicated time on the production floor, remove blockers efficiently, and build the systems and grow the team as we push towards higher-rate production in an environment unlike anywhere else.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a talented team of Supervisors, Leads, and Technicians across multiple work centers including avionics, electro-mechanical assembly, harness fabrication, PCBA rework, and component acceptance testing

• Own delivery of completed flight hardware to vehicle integration, ensuring hardware is built, tested, accepted, and delivered on or ahead of schedule

• Establish clear production priorities and drive daily execution against build and test schedules, proactively removing constraints across material, tooling, equipment, procedures, and resources

• Drive improvements in first-pass yield, cycle time, rework, throughput, and labor efficiency

• Ensure production work is executed with complete configuration control, traceability, and manufacturing records

• Establish effective production metrics and tools that provide visibility into output, quality, constraints, and recovery plans

• Serve as Production’s voice to Engineering Leadership, influencing design, test strategy, and schedule decisions so hardware is built right the first time and delivered at rate

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience managing large production teams throughout the development, manufacturing, and build processes for complex assemblies

• 8+ years of experience in production in a high volume, rapid environment in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware manufacturing industries

• Direct experience with flight hardware including electro-mechanical assemblies, harnesses, PCBA, Solar, and box-level builds

• Familiarity with J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620, ESD control, and flight hardware traceability

• Track record of improving throughput and yield using data, with experience in MES or ERP-driven production

• Excellent conflict resolution and negotiation skills

• Demonstrated success leading from the floor in a fast-moving manufacturing environment

Nice to Have

• Experience scaling spacecraft or satellite production from low rate to high rate

• Experience with MES (WarpDrive, First Resonance ION or similar modern MES)

• Background in capacity modeling, line design, and capital equipment justification

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to support critical production and test milestones

• Must be comfortable spending significant time in manufacturing, cleanroom, laboratory, and test environments

• Must be able to travel occasionally to suppliers, test facilities, or other company locations as required

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $190,000 + equity in the company

• Salary and level will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks