Manager – Airframe Production

Salary Range: 127500 to 198375 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Responsibilities:

• Lead the setup of our internal machine shop, and assembly area. Define layout, workflow, and capital equipment needs to support efficient, scalable airframe production. 
• Lead the end-to-end production, assembly, and test of structural airframe components, including thermal control and integrated fluid systems required for operation. 
• Collaborate with design engineers to ensure airframe components and subsystems are optimized for manufacturability, reliability, and reusability. 
• Oversee creation of detailed, technician-friendly work instructions and process documents. Direct the design and implementation of specialized tooling and fixtures to support efficient and high-quality builds. 
• Manage integration of component-level tests such as proof/leak, structural integrity, and flow validation. Ensure test data informs continuous production improvements. 
• Coordinate cross-functional response to production and test discrepancies. Partner with quality, design, and production teams to resolve and root-cause build issues quickly and effectively. 
• Identify, plan, and implement process upgrades, new capital equipment, and layout optimizations to meet increasing production demand. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent practical experience. 
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace hardware production, with increasing leadership responsibility 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrated ownership of complex mechanical systems (e.g., propulsion assemblies, fluid systems, structural frames) through full production cycles. 
• Familiarity with high-temperature materials (e.g., titanium, Inconel, thermal composites) and their joining, forming, and testing methods. 
• Strong background in test operations (leak checks, flow testing, structural proof) and working knowledge of environmental and thermal control systems. 
• Hands-on experience working with technicians and welders; understands the realities of floor-level production and high-reliability assembly. 

Additional Requirements:

• Previous experience in orbital welding, high-pressure fluid systems, or thermal protection systems. 
• Expertise in PLM and ERP systems such as Siemens Teamcenter, SAP, or equivalent. 
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma tools. 
• Proven success scaling production from prototype to low-rate production or test flight readiness.