Production Lead, Sr.

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

Aerovironment, Inc. is seeking a skilled and motivated Production Team Sr. Lead to join our (Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) (Loitering Munition Systems (LMS)) manufacturing product lines. As a Production Team Sr. Lead, you will be responsible for overseeing the efficient operation of the manufacturing work cell, ensuring the production targets are met, and maintaining the highest level of quality standards. Your leadership skills, technical expertise, and ability to drive continuous improvement will play a crucial role in the success of our manufacturing operations.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of manufacturing technicians and operators within the assigned work cell, providing guidance, training, and supervision to ensure the achievement of production goals and quality targets.

• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work schedules to optimize productivity and meet customer demand.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance, to ensure seamless coordination and efficient manufacturing processes.

• Monitor and analyze production metrics, identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs.

• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

• Perform regular inspections and audits to identify equipment issues or maintenance needs and coordinate with maintenance personnel to address them promptly.

• Act as a subject matter expert in the manufacturing processes, equipment, and product specifications, providing technical support and troubleshooting assistance when required.

• Maintain accurate documentation of production activities, including production reports, work instructions, and quality records.

• Support the implementation of lean manufacturing principles and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflow and eliminate waste.

• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and employee engagement, promoting a positive work environment and motivating the team to achieve operational excellence.

• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• High School diploma or GED equivalent

• Minimum of 6+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment in either electronics or electro-mechanical assembly and test or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

• Lead a team of manufacturing technicians and operators within the assigned work cell, providing guidance, training, and supervision to ensure the achievement of production goals and quality targets.

• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work schedules to optimize productivity and meet customer demand.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance, to ensure seamless coordination and efficient manufacturing processes.

• Monitor and analyze production metrics, identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs.

• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

• Perform regular inspections and audits to identify equipment issues or maintenance needs and coordinate with maintenance personnel to address them promptly.

• Act as a subject matter expert in the manufacturing processes, equipment, and product specifications, providing technical support and troubleshooting assistance when required.

• Maintain accurate documentation of production activities, including production reports, work instructions, and quality records.

• Support the implementation of lean manufacturing principles and participate in continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflow and eliminate waste.

• Foster a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and employee engagement, promoting a positive work environment and motivating the team to achieve operational excellence.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies:

• Experience working with Oracle ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems is highly desired.

• Lean Six Sigma certification or familiarity with lean manufacturing principles.

• Knowledge of aerospace industry regulations and quality management systems (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and business needs.

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment while also being self-directed and proactive.

• Passion for unmanned systems and aerospace technology.

• Able to excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where small teams share a broad variety of duties

• Displays strong initiative and drive to accomplish goals and meet company objectives

• Takes ownership and responsibility for current and past work products

• Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself, others, and the company

• Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above one's own interests

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work in a factory or office environment (Constant)

• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Special Requirements:

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required

• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$62,000 - $94,750

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment's business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don't just build defense technology-we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian-but we're not building history, we're building what's next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters-with speed, scale, and purpose-there's no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required