Director of Production (R4782)

HRU-Tech; Frisco (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Director of Production to lead U.S.-based manufacturing operations in Frisco, TX, guiding cross-functional teams and scaling advanced defense systems production. You’ll architect forward-looking plans, balance cost and delivery, and ensure readiness for rapid growth.

You will drive automation, apply Lean/Six Sigma, and translate complex data into actionable strategies for executive leadership, while coaching diverse teams toward excellence and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10 years of production leadership in advanced manufacturing (aerospace, automotive or similar).
• 5 years leading large teams in high-precision, high-throughput settings.
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations and complex outsourced ecosystems.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Architect and execute production plans balancing scale, agility, and quality.
• Drive aircraft production capabilities to support rapid growth.
• Lead high-performance teams across production operations with coaching and accountability.
• Collaborate with quality, engineering, supply chain, and customer ops to integrate workflows.
• Champion continuous improvement across throughput, takt, quality, and cost.
• Embed data-driven decision-making using KPI dashboards and reviews.
• Drive automation and digitization of manufacturing processes.
• Report insights to executive leadership and translate complexity into action.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Systems thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Director of Production

Location: Frisco, TX

Salary: $190- 290K/yr

Direct position

Job Description:

Do you thrive at the intersection of high-stakes execution and advanced technology? Shield AI is seeking a Director of Production to lead our U.S.-based manufacturing operations and help scale the future of autonomous defense systems. You’ll drive execution across factory floor operations, partner cross-functionally with quality, engineering and supply chain teams, and ensure our production systems are ready for what’s next.

We’re looking for a bold, hands-on leader who can inspire teams, architect production systems, and scale operations with intensity, precision, and a clear mission in mind.

What you’ll do:

• Architect and execute forward-looking production plans that balance scale, agility, and quality—all while meeting demanding cost and delivery goals.
• Drive aircraft production capabilities, implementing systems, processes, and staffing to support rapid growth.
• Lead high-performance teams across production operations, driving excellence through clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
• Collaborate deeply with quality, engineering, supply chain, and customer operations to integrate design, sourcing, and production workflows.
• Champion continuous improvement across every dimension of production: throughput, takt, quality, and cost.
• Embed data-driven decision-making into daily operations using KPI dashboards, metrics reviews, and operational cadences.
• Drive the adoption of automation, digitization, and advanced manufacturing methods to future-proof our operations.
• Serve as a trusted voice to executive leadership—reporting insights, flagging risks, and translating complexity into action.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10 years of production leadership in advanced manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
• Proven experience building and scaling a manufacturing operation.
• 5 years leading large teams in high-precision, high-throughput settings.
• Success managing complex outsourced manufacturing or tiered vendor ecosystems.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies—and a passion for driving results through them.
• Exceptional communicator, able to navigate executive-level reporting and cross-functional alignment.
• A systems thinker with hands-on grit, capable of zooming between strategic planning and operational execution.