Director of Production

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, a