Director of Production (R3072)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent, autonomous systems. Its products include Hivemind Enterprise—EdgeOS, Pilot, Commander, and Forge—as well as V-BAT and Sentient Vision Systems (wide-area motion imaging software). With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide.  For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.    
Are you ready to lead end-to-end production operations in a complex, high-standards environment. The Director of Production will oversee manufacturing processes, supply chain coordination, quality assurance, and related cross-functional teams. The individual should have a strong background in advanced manufacturing environments—such as aerospace or automotive—and be adept at managing outsourced elements of production. The role demands strong communication skills to interface with executive leadership and the ability to build and develop a high-performing team. 
*This position requires 50% travel to India, all applicants must be amenable to this requirement.

What you'll do:

• Production Strategy & Planning: 
• Develop and execute comprehensive production plans aligned with organizational objectives, including capacity planning, resource allocation, and cost management. 
• Ensure production meets on-time delivery, quality, and cost targets. 


• Cross-Functional Leadership: 
• Lead and manage cross-functional teams spanning manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and engineering. 
• Collaborate closely with vendors, procurement, logistics, and R&D to ensure seamless integration of production processes. 


• Quality & Compliance: 
• Enforce quality standards and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to drive product reliability and compliance with industry regulations. 
• Implement and refine quality management systems to meet certifications and regulatory requirements common in aerospace or automotive sectors. 


• Supply Chain Integration & Outsourcing Management: 
• Oversee vendor relationships and outsourced production activities, ensuring supplier performance aligns with internal standards. 
• Negotiate supplier contracts and manage inventory, lead times, and cost structure to optimize supply chain efficiency and resilience. 


• Team Building & Management: 
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-caliber production team, including managers and frontline staff. 
• Define roles, responsibilities, and KPIs for team members to ensure accountability and transparency in performance expectations. 


• Process Improvement & Advanced Manufacturing Techniques: 
• Identify and implement advanced manufacturing technologies, automation solutions, and process optimizations to improve throughput, quality, and cost-effectiveness. 
• Utilize data-driven decision-making to refine production workflows and enhance operational excellence. 


• Executive Communication & Reporting: 
• Present production metrics, progress updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership. 
• Communicate complex operational information clearly and concisely to influence decision-making at the senior level. 

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related field; Master’s degree preferred. 
• 10+ years of experience in production management, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. 
• Proven track record in advanced manufacturing environments (e.g., aerospace, automotive), including familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements. 
• Demonstrated success in managing a cross-functional team and outsourced production components. 
• Strong background in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to report clearly and credibly to executives. 
• Strategic mindset paired with hands-on operational experience and strong analytical capabilities. 
• This role card encapsulates common industry expectations, enabling organizations to refine as needed based on their specific context and strategic priorities. 
• Ability to travel 50% of time to India.