Description
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology.
As the Manufacturing Engineering Manager for a new Autonomous Airpower aircraft program, you will build and lead the manufacturing engineering team from the ground up , from early prototyping through transition to full-rate production.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead the manufacturing engineering team for a new Autonomous Airpower aircraft program , hiring, structuring the team, setting goals, providing technical direction, and evaluating performance.
- Act as a working manager , stay close to the engineering work, make technical program decisions, and own key manufacturing engineering deliverables yourself, especially during the early phase of the program when the team is lean.
- Develop and execute strategic plans for production capabilities, incorporating new technologies, methodologies, and automation across the aircraft's manufacturing lifecycle.
- Partner with chief engineers and design engineering during all phases of development , from concept trades and DFM input through design reviews, prototype and first-article builds, LRIP, and transition to full-rate production.
- Own documentation required to successfully manufacture aircraft hardware at scale, including work instructions, inspection plans and requirements, MBOMs, and process documentation.
- Drive production readiness activities , process capability assessments, tooling readiness, MBOM maturity, and rate-readiness planning.
- Lead the selection, installation, and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment, tooling, and processes, ensuring optimal integration into the production line.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that result in cost reduction, quality enhancement, and throughput maximization across the program.
- Manage budgets and forecast future manufacturing needs across personnel, equipment, tooling, and materials.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams , program management, supply chain, operations, quality, and leadership , to drive production readiness and successful program execution.
- Serve as the technical expert and point of contact for manufacturing engineering issues on the program, providing guidance and support to resolve complex problems.
- Analyze production metrics and performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Interface with external customers in communicating the manufacturing strategy and plans for building the aircraft from development to full-rate production.
- Foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability within the manufacturing engineering organization.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory requirements within the manufacturing process.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.
- Minimum 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware production environments, with at least 3 years in a managerial or technical lead role.
- Demonstrated experience developing products from scratch and scaling to production , ideally on aircraft or complex aerospace vehicle programs.
- Proven track record of cradle-to-grave ownership , from design input through process development, work instruction authoring, tooling definition, and production support.
- Experience hiring, developing, and leading manufacturing engineering teams.
- Experience driving process improvements and production readiness in a manufacturing setting.
- Strong DFM/DFA instincts , demonstrated ability to influence design decisions for manufacturability.
- Excellent project management skills and experience leading cross-functional projects.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Comfort as a working manager , willing and able to stay hands-on in the technical work, not just managing from a distance.
- Technical expertise in manufacturing systems (MES, ERP, PLM).
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience on aircraft programs , fixed-wing, UAV, or autonomous air vehicles , from development through LRIP or full-rate production.
- Previous experience designing, building out, and commissioning factories or new production lines (greenfield or brownfield).
- Experience across multiple manufacturing engineering disciplines: structures and composites, mechanical systems, fluid systems (hydraulic, fuel, pneumatic), propulsion integration, avionics, or wire harness manufacturing.
- Knowledge of low-observable (LO) coating, energetics, mission systems, or propulsion manufacturing.
- Experience transitioning hardware from prototype through first-article to full-rate production.
- Knowledge of AS9100, aerospace quality systems, and non-conformance management processes.
- Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proficient in CAD software (CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, or equivalent) and familiar with modern manufacturing technologies and automation.
- Experience working with Teamcenter, SAP, Oracle, or similar PLM/ERP platforms.
- Personal experience physically manufacturing hardware via any means (machining, fabrication, soldering, assembly, etc.). Work on personal or extracurricular projects is a plus.
- Master's degree in engineering, business, or related field.
- Active U.S. Secret security clearance.