Production Progam Manager, Optics

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology.

The Optics Production Program Manager will support the Director of Optics Production and play a critical role in scaling and sustaining production of precision optical assemblies for advanced defense systems.

Responsibilities:

• Drive Accountability: Drive initiatives across the optical production value stream which are aligned with production and growth objectives to enhance production efficiency, scalability, and cost effectiveness.
• Production Execution & Coordination: Track build schedules, monitor work-in-process, and support the Director of production through coordinating across teams to resolve blockers and maintain on track to the Operating plan.
• Supplier Execution Management: Serve as the focal point between external optical suppliers and internal supply and production teams to orchestrate material flow, ensure delivery performance, action closure, and issue resolution.
• Special Projects: Lead internal special projects as directed , production line moves, capacity expansion initiatives, vertical integration, new tooling or fixture introductions, process qualification efforts, and other cross-functional initiatives critical to scaling optical production.
• Cross-Functional Program Coordination: Act as the connective tissue between engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and program leadership , ensuring that design changes, quality escapes, supplier issues, and capacity shifts are communicated and addressed with urgency.
• Resource & Cost Management: Manage and oversee transactional material flow between multi-tiered supply, ensuring accurate cost accounting and price visibility in coordination with finance.
• Metrics, Reporting & Risk Escalation: Maintain production dashboards tracking on-time delivery, open actions, supplier performance, and work order status.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in production or operations program management, project management, or manufacturing coordination within optical assembly, precision manufacturing, or an adjacent industry , defense or aerospace experience strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills with a track record of driving cross-functional action items to closure on time.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex schedules across internal manufacturing and external vendors, holding multiple parties accountable simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of optical assembly processes, clean room environments, or precision electro-mechanical manufacturing.
• Strong command of ERP/MRP systems for production scheduling and material planning; proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project).
• Excellent communication, organization, and follow-through.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance.