Production Manager - Lead Aircraft Manufacturing Execution and Scale Advanced Unmanned Systems Production!

Fort Worth, TX | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a fast-growing aerospace manufacturer building next-generation unmanned aircraft for mission-critical government and commercial applications. This organization is focused on designing platforms that are not only high performance in the air but also scalable and repeatable on the production floor. We are seeking a senior Production Manager to take full ownership of aircraft manufacturing execution, line design, and rate readiness. This leader will translate engineering intent into disciplined, efficient, and scalable production systems. If you are motivated by building real hardware, scaling production from prototype through full-rate manufacturing, and leading high-tempo teams, this is a rare opportunity to shape the production backbone of an emerging aircraft program.

About Us

We are a U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of advanced unmanned aircraft systems engineered for scalability, rapid deployment, and operational reliability. Our focus is on producibility from day one, ensuring that our platforms transition smoothly from development to sustained production. We serve demanding customers who require disciplined execution, strong configuration control, and dependable delivery performance.

Job Duties

Production Line Ownership and Daily Execution

• Lead end-to-end aircraft production from material kitting through final acceptance
• Define station layouts, assembly sequencing, staffing models, and daily output targets
• Establish lean production cells capable of meeting takt, quality, and delivery objectives
• Serve as the primary authority for aircraft flow, throughput performance, and floor discipline

Manufacturing System Design and Continuous Improvement

• Design production systems including facility layout, workstation configuration, material flow, and ergonomic optimization
• Conduct time studies, capacity modeling, and bottleneck analysis
• Implement corrective actions to stabilize output and improve labor efficiency
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives tied to throughput, quality, and cost performance

Cost, Rate, and Throughput Accountability

• Own labor hour tracking, unit cost performance, and takt alignment across prototype, LRIP, and FRP phases
• Develop rate readiness plans, capacity assessments, and production ramp strategies
• Lead cost reduction efforts through process refinement, tooling optimization, and manufacturability improvements

Documentation and Configuration Discipline

• Develop and maintain work instructions, routers, build documentation, inspection points, and material staging procedures
• Ensure configuration integrity across engineering changes and production revisions
• Coordinate traceability from incoming materials through aircraft delivery

Tooling and Production Infrastructure

• Define tooling, fixture, and ground support equipment requirements to ensure precision and repeatability
• Coordinate with fabrication, supply chain, and engineering teams to align tooling readiness with rate increases
• Ensure production infrastructure scales alongside program growth

Production Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Provide direct leadership to manufacturing technicians and production staff
• Establish performance expectations and accountability across the production floor
• Serve as the primary interface between engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations
• Resolve schedule, cost, and quality issues impacting delivery cadence

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industrial or manufacturing engineering experience within aerospace, defense, or complex electromechanical assembly environments
• Demonstrated experience owning production execution and scaling hardware manufacturing systems
• Strong expertise in lean manufacturing, line balancing, takt planning, and production system optimization
• Experience maintaining configuration control and working within AS9100-aligned documentation environments
• Proficiency with ERP or MRP systems
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field
• Ability to operate as a hands-on production authority in high-tempo manufacturing environments

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing aircraft, airframe, avionics, or propulsion production lines
• Familiarity with DFMA and design-to-cost methodologies
• Background supporting LRIP to FRP transitions
• Experience conducting rate readiness assessments and scaling facility layouts
• Direct leadership experience overseeing manufacturing technicians or production teams

Why Join Us

• Opportunity for growth within a scaling aerospace manufacturer
• Direct ownership of aircraft production and rate readiness
• High-visibility role reporting to executive leadership
• Collaborative engineering and operations culture
• Strong PTO policy
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan with matching

Compensation Details

$150,000 - $190,000

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