
Manager Manufacturing Systems Engineering 3
- Palmdale, CA
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Drive the evolution of production facilities with integrated digital thread, artificial intelligence, automation, and flexible configurations.
- Lead evaluation and implementation of enabling production technologies, including but not limited to composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, LO technologies, as well as digital capabilities.
- Work with consultants, strategic partners, universities and technical consortiums to evaluate developing technologies/approaches for manufacturing air vehicles affordably and in high quantity.
- Provide guidance regarding design concepts, TRL/MRL maturity, and specification requirements to best utilize resources and develop affordable manufacturing solutions.
- Collaborate with all ACP teams to influence product definition and assembly strategy implementing Design for Manufacturing, or “designing what we build”. Includes pushing for additive manufacturing, unitized composites, other emerging lower cost processes.
- Solve technical challenges with creative solutions in fast-paced, resource limited manufacturing environments
- Develop and refine manufacturing strategies for low-cost high-rate production for air vehicles, with a critical focus on safety, efficiency, cost, and quality at scale
- Understand and integrate novel tooling, fabrication, and assembly solutions for production. Champion modular, flexible tooling and lean, highly repeatable or adaptable production processes.
- Design production layouts/production factory to support flexible cell-based or continuous flow manufacturing. Collaborate with other emerging programs to evaluate multiple ACP product line potentially mixed with other product lines.
- Create detailed ramp-up plans including labor, equipment, facilities, and supplier readiness. Develop full understanding of capital investment requirements and timing.
- Develop manufacturing processes and digital strategies that provide detailed intuitive work instructions to mechanics in their work environment, reducing needs for training and ability to rapidly respond to production surge requirements. Develop hiring, staffing and training plan associated with the new techniques and integrate within operations functions and locations.
- Establish and lead a strategic vision for scalable, cost-effective production aligned with business goals for rapid implementation. Develop comprehensive production solutions encompassing business development, digital thread, and data. Evaluate alternatives, create and execute roadmaps, and conduct gap analyses.
- Champion deployment and adoption of low-cost high-rate manufacturing across global production, engineering, and operations teams.
- Monitor industry trends, competitor advancements, and global manufacturing capabilities to build and maintain technological and cost advantage
- Must have a Bachelor's Degree (STEM) AND 8 years of related professional/military experience in aviation, systems engineering, aerospace or manufacturing/production OR a Master's Degree (STEM) AND 6 years of related professional/military experience in aviation, systems engineering, aerospace or manufacturing/production.
- Minimum 6 years of experience leading the performance of tasks on schedule, at cost and achieving all requirements as either a project lead, integrated program team lead or manufacturing manager
- Minimum 6 years of demonstrated success leading teams and/or organizations to achieve goals
- Must have an active DoD Secret security clearance (US Citizenship required) as well as the ability to obtain and maintain Program Special Access
- Ability to travel 20-35% of the time
- Experience working with Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), cross functional stakeholders, and various customers such as Air Force and Navy
- Prior experience operating in a dynamic environment of early development, low rate initial production and transition to high delivery rates
- Prior experience working in low-cost high-rate manufacturing environments, whether automotive or aerospace, is highly desired
- Proposal experience, and experience in other early phases of program lifecycle
- Strong background in technology research portfolio management and demonstrated advancement of TRL / MRL and familiarity with DoD MRL Deskbook and Manufacturing Readiness Assessment (MRA) process.
- Excellent risk identification and mitigation skillsets in the development of aerospace technologies
- Experience in "Design for Manufacturing" methodologies
- Experience developing flexible factories and driving rapid technology implementation
- Experience developing and deploying artificial intelligence tools for production environments
- Experience developing and deploying digital thread/twin, or other data integration and prescriptive tools
- Experience developing and deploying automation
- Experience with composites unitization, bonded composite assemblies and determinant assembly techniques.