Aerospace Manufacturing Lead

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead daily aerospace manufacturing activities, including lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, autoclave operations, trimming, and assembly activities.
• Direct the daily activities of the Cutting Table Operator, Lay-Up Technician, and Autoclave Operator.
• Assign work, establish priorities, and monitor productivity to ensure production schedules and customer requirements are met.
• Coordinate workflow between cutting, lay-up, curing, autoclave processing, trimming, and inspection activities.
• Monitor staffing and production requirements and communicate resource needs to Aerospace Leadership.
• Provide hands-on leadership, technical guidance, and daily direction to aerospace manufacturing personnel.
• Train, coach, mentor, and evaluate personnel to ensure compliance with manufacturing procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Assist with startup, qualification, installation, and operational readiness activities for the aerospace lay-up cell, cutting table, autoclave, and supporting equipment.
• Support the development and implementation of manufacturing processes, production controls, work instructions, and training programs during startup activities.
• Ensure compliance with all aerospace manufacturing procedures, quality standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate production activities to support customer delivery schedules and program milestones.
• Support process qualification, validation, and first article activities.
• Assist Engineering and Quality teams with process development, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing work instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Train, coach, and mentor aerospace manufacturing personnel on proper manufacturing techniques, quality requirements, safety practices, and process controls.
• Verify personnel competency and readiness before performing critical aerospace manufacturing operations independently.
• Monitor production performance, throughput, quality metrics, and schedule attainment; identify improvement opportunities and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure production targets, customer delivery commitments, and quality objectives are achieved.
• Support material control, tooling readiness, and equipment maintenance activities.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, customer, safety, environmental, and company requirements.
• Participate in audits, customer visits, and qualification activities as required.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Adhere to safety, environmental, and quality system requirements
• Adhere to all safety protocols, including PPE usage and handling hazardous materials (resins)
• Adhere to all safety regulations and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention policies

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: 
  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Associate degree in Manufacturing Technology, Engineering Technology, Aerospace Technology, or related field preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of composite manufacturing experience required.
  • Minimum 2 years of leadership, lead, trainer, or supervisory experience required.
  • Aerospace composites manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience with autoclave operations, vacuum bagging, and process documentation preferred.
• Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of composite manufacturing processes, including hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, and autoclave operations.
  • Understanding of aerospace quality systems and manufacturing requirements.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and technical documents.
  • Knowledge of composite materials, tooling, and aerospace manufacturing best practices.
  • Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple manufacturing activities simultaneously.
  • Ability to lead and develop manufacturing personnel in a team-oriented environment.
  • Working knowledge of production scheduling, workforce coordination, and manufacturing workflow management.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to train and develop manufacturing personnel.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrated leadership and decision-making ability.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Leadership teams.
  • Strong sense of accountability and ownership for production results.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
  • Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems preferred.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, tools, composite materials, chemicals, heat, noise, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, lift, and perform hands-on manufacturing activities for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Occasional overtime and weekend work may be required based on business needs.
• Must be a U.S. Person (Resident Alien or US Citizen) under 22 CFR 120 (due to ITAR Restrictions)