Director of Production

Who we are

The role

The day-to-day

• Lead the stand-up and scaling of US manufacturing operations, establishing production lines, workflows, quality systems, and facility infrastructure

• Develop and execute the production strategy aligned with program milestones, government contract deliverables, and company growth objectives

• Implement production processes for AI-enabled hardware systems, ensuring repeatability, quality, and compliance with defense manufacturing standards

• Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing production team — including manufacturing engineers, technicians, quality inspectors, and production planners — capable of supporting rapid growth

• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, Contracts, and Finance to ensure production alignment on government contracts

• Establish and manage quality management systems (QMS) compliant with AS9100, ISO 9001, and applicable DoD manufacturing requirements

• Own production KPIs and reporting, including yield, throughput, cost-per-unit, on-time delivery, and defect rates, and present board-level updates that drive executive decision-making

• Collaborate with the supply chain and procurement teams to design cost-efficient sourcing strategies that satisfy federal and/or state procurement requirements, including managing tariff exposure on imported goods and materials

• Ensure full compliance with SSA governance requirements, maintaining appropriate separation protocols while optimizing production operations across the organization

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and increase production capacity

• Manage relationships with contract manufacturers, tooling vendors, and facility partners to supplement and scale internal production capabilities

• Support CAPEX planning and facility buildout in partnership with Finance, ensuring sound investment frameworks for equipment, tooling, and infrastructure

• Ensure workplace safety and regulatory compliance across all production environments, including OSHA, environmental, and cleared facility requirements

You should apply if you

• You have 10+ years of progressive manufacturing/production experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing production operations

• You've operated within the Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, or National Security technology sector and understand the nuances of government contract deliverables, ITAR/EAR, and defense manufacturing requirements

• You've built or scaled production functions at a startup or high-growth company and know how to balance scrappiness with rigor

• You have experience standing up manufacturing lines from greenfield or near-greenfield conditions, including facility layout, equipment selection, and workforce planning

• You possess a strong command of production planning, capacity modeling, and resource allocation strategies

• You have demonstrated experience with quality management systems (AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent) and continuous improvement methodologies

• You communicate complex operational concepts with clarity and influence to technical and non-technical stakeholders alike

• You're energized by ambiguity, thrive under pressure, and are motivated by mission-driven work

• Skills & Tags

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