Manager, Manufacturing Optimization

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing howmilitary systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Manufacturing Operations Team plays a vital role in driving operational excellence and delivering high-quality products that support Anduril's mission of advancing defense capabilities.
ABOUT THE JOB

We are seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across our manufacturing sites in the US. This role will work closely with senior manufacturing leadership to implement and sustain lean manufacturing systems, coach frontline leaders, and resolve operational challenges to enhance efficiency, quality, and throughput.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing operations and lean methodologies, with proven experience leading teams and implementing structured problem-solving approaches. You will be responsible for managing day-to-day shop floor operations, developing group leaders and supervisors, and building sustainable systems that drive long-term performance improvements. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional ready to make an impact in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

A successful candidate will be expected to work out of Columbus, OH. Based on eligibility, relocation assistance may be available. Travel up to 50% may be required for training, cross-site collaboration, or supporting continuous improvement initiatives at other Anduril facilities.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Establish a scalable operating system (tiered accountability, daily management, KPI trees, visual management) aligned to safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Strengthen cross-functional execution by integrating Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Test into shared problem-solving and prioritized action plans
• Standardize processes and work content to reduce variation, improve first-pass yield, and enable predictable staffing models and flexible labor deployment
• Drive continuous improvement using structured problem solving (A3/8D), waste elimination, and targeted kaizen to improve flow and performance
• Lead rapid triage on critical constraints and escapes across all Anduril facilities-stabilize safety/quality events, throughput losses, and schedule risks using standard escalation and containment playbooks
• Coach and develop Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders through daily Gemba, leader standard work, and structured feedback
• Capture and deploy best practices across lines/cells/sites via playbooks, standard work libraries, and replication mechanisms with clear ownership and audit cadence
• Develop practical tools and structures (dashboards, hour-by-hour boards, problem queues, skills boards) that improve visibility, prioritization, and decision speed

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and production operations
• 2+ years in a supervisor or production operations lead/manager role in a high-volume production environment
• A full understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principles, and change management (ECOs)
• Can interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specs, electrical schematics, etc.)
• Extremely reliable, organized and detail-oriented with excellent verbal & written communication skills
• Passion for employee development and enjoy the process of training and developing both new hires and veteran production staff
• Proven skills in both process and equipment troubleshooting, allowing you to easily adapt to constantly changing production environments
• Experience supporting process development
• Knowledge of 5S, lean manufacturing or Six Sigma principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project)
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

• Aircraft new product introduction (NPI) experience
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering, business, or applied science)
• Lean six sigma green belt certified
• Working knowledge of AS9100 standards and OSHA laws
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance
• Experience in small electronic assembly and drones a plus
• Ability to develop cross functional relationships as a well-respected, trusted partner

• No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
• Please always verify communications:
  • Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
  • Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
• Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
• What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.