Head of Production - Autonomous Defense Systems

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Benefits

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Production to lead U.S. manufacturing operations and scale autonomous defense systems. You will drive factory floor execution, partner with quality, engineering and supply chain, and inspire teams to deliver with precision and speed.

You will architect forward‑looking production plans, champion continuous improvement, and embed data‑driven decisions. A hands‑on leader, you’ll balance throughput, cost and quality while aligning with executive strategy.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production in advanced manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to scale manufacturing operations and manage large teams.
• Strong knowledge of Lean/Six Sigma methodologies and data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities

• Architect and execute production plans balancing scale, cost and delivery goals.
• Drive aircraft production capabilities and staffing to support rapid growth.
• Lead high‑performance teams with clear expectations and accountability.
• Collaborate with quality, engineering, supply chain, and customer operations.
• Champion continuous improvement across throughput, quality and cost.
• Embed data‑driven decision making with KPIs and cadence reviews.
• Drive automation, digitization, and advanced manufacturing methods.
• Report insights to executive leadership and translate complexity into action.

Skills

Production leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Systems thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Master’s preferred

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Production to lead U.S. manufacturing operations and scale autonomous defense systems. You will drive factory floor execution, partner with quality, engineering and supply chain, and inspire teams to deliver with precision and speed.

You will architect forward‑looking production plans, champion continuous improvement, and embed data‑driven decisions. A hands‑on leader, you’ll balance throughput, cost and quality while aligning with executive strategy.