Associate Manager, Manufacturing Operations

Virgin Galactic; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 81,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Associate Manufacturing Manager to oversee manufacturing execution at VG. This role will manage supervisors, leads and technicians across multiple facilities and departments, driving build strategies to meet objectives while ensuring policy compliance.

Responsibilities include planning, scheduling, coordinating and executing all manufacturing operations; collaborating with build managers, schedulers and cross-functional teams; and driving continuous

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in related field; and /or combination of education and work experience is required.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in an aerospace or high-reliability field with 3 years of leading others.
• Demonstrated leadership with production, assembly, and systems integration teams.
• Experience in Manufacturing Leadership, Manufacturing Project Management, or Production Planning.
• Experience in a start-up environment or a highly unique cultural environment.
• Strong understanding of engineering and manufacturing functions; lean principles.

Responsibilities

• Influences technical projects, technicians, or inter-departmental functions to achieve goals and/or solve problems.
• Manages budgets for projects and departments within the Manufacturing organization.
• Motivates, inspires, and develops the Manufacturing Team through leading and managing technicians.
• Holds accountability for coordination of assigned project(s) amongst the team.
• Assists other department leaders in developing, planning, implementing, and maintaining a strategic build plan.
• Provides clear direction for the Manufacturing team.
• Collaborates with leadership to develop and implement agile response strategies for rapid project adjustments.
• Creates and implements recovery plans with Engineering and Manufacturing to mitigate schedule setbacks.

Skills

leadership

production planning

lean manufacturing

cross-functional collaboration

communication

safety awareness

reading drawings

analytical thinking

Education

Associate’s degree in related field

Tools

MS Excel

manufacturing dashboards

production planning software

Job description

Virgin Galactic is seeking an experienced Associate Manufacturing Manager to oversee manufacturing execution at VG. Guided by our values, “Safety above All”, we proactively manage the risks inherent in human spaceflight through our daily actions in the design and assembly efforts. This position will manage, which may include supervisors, leads and technicians in multiple facilities/departments.

This role will be responsible for managing the build/strategy of our spaceflight systems vehicles to drive our success. Responsibilities will include planning, scheduling, coordinating, and executing all aspects of our manufacturing operation. You will work closely with various build managers, schedulers, and other cross functional departments to ensure all manufacturing projects are supported as needed to achieve their objectives while ensuring compliance with company’s policies, procedures and overall objectives.

Work Schedule: 4/10 Onsite Thursday through Monday Day Shift

Please note: As an exempt position, the Supervisor may be required to work outside of the technician shift schedule.

Potential Future Work Schedules

Onsite Monday through Friday Day Shift

Onsite Monday through Friday Night Shift

Responsibilities

• Influences technical projects, technicians, or inter-departmental functions to achieve goals and/or solve problems
• Manages budgets for projects and departments within the Manufacturing organization
• Motivates, inspires, and develops the Manufacturing Team through leading and managing technicians
• Holds accountability for coordination of assigned project(s) amongst the team
• Assists other department leaders in the development, planning, implementation, and maintenance of a strategic build plan for the program
• Provides clear direction for the Manufacturing team
• Collaborates with leadership team to develop and implement agile response strategies for rapid project adjustments
• Creates and implements recovery plans with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to mitigate schedule setbacks and support conflict resolution
• Works with production control/planning to assure assembly flow is properly supported by all functions to deliver material and hardware on schedule
• Continues improving procedures, processes, and operational efficiency
• Partners with any cross functional teams to ensure vehicles meet design and quality standards
• Drives safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness/prevention; adhere to regulatory protocols and rules
• Coaches, trains, and transfers expertise to the team to drive projects to completion
• Ensures work deliverables are prioritized based on production schedule, organizational goals, and metrics and align by defining roles

Required Skills And Experience

• Associate’s degree in related field; and /or combination of education and work experience is required
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in an aerospace or equivalent high-reliability field with 3 years of leading others and/ or demonstrated ability to lead and train on technical concepts
• Demonstrated leadership experience with production, assembly, and systems integration teams, ideally in aerospace and/or manufacturing environment
• Experience in Manufacturing Leadership, Manufacturing Project Management, or Production Planning
• Experience in a start-up organization or a highly unique cultural environment
• Some experience within an external customer-facing role
• Strong understanding of engineering and manufacturing functions
• Excellent knowledge of component assembly, both subassembly and final top-level assembly
• Extensive experience and/or training in lean manufacturing principles and leading or participating in process improvement workshops or Kaizen events
• Strong understanding of schedule, quality, and budget relationship
• Working knowledge of configuration management practices and quality management processes
• Demonstrated ability to use computer applications to follow manufacturing work instructions
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models on paper or digital
• Strong analytical skills, combined with a strong commercial acumen to measure the potential impact of each decision
• Ability to ensure effective collaboration across teams
• Ability to work independently and cross‑functionally
• Set clear objectives and milestones
• Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Lead by example in strong safety forward thinking, practice good housekeeping, tool control, recognizing the importance of properly handling hazardous materials and, chemicals
• Familiar with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Demonstrated computer and analytical skills including proficiency in MS Excel, manufacturing software or related programs and dashboards
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, combined with a strong commercial acumen to measure the potential impact of each decision
• Solid planning and problem-solving skills, and the ability to resolve issues effectively and efficiently
• Leadership and management skills, ability to prioritize tasks, apply good intrapersonal skills and utilize available resources to accomplish company goals.
• Highly autonomous with effective delegation skills
• Extreme attention to detail and continual pursuit of perfection

Physical And/or Additional Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position – 9 hours minimum.
• Able to maneuver in tight spaces through positioning self by stooping, bending, crawling – 3 hours minimum
• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds (unassisted). e to handle items weighing up to 40lbs (unassisted)

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $80,855.00–$123,342.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits

Who We Are

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles.

Export Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here.

EEO Statement

Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Drug Free Workplace

Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre‑employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.

Phoenix Employment Requirements

For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.

Accommodation Requests

If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position, please contact the Virgin Galactic Talent Team at: [e-mail]

Mandatory Notices

Employee Polygraph Protection Act Rights

E-Verify_Participation_Poster_Eng_Es

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal