Head of Production – Robotics & Defense Manufacturing

Overland AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Healthcare, dental, vision

Unlimited PTO

401(k) with company match

Parental leave

Job summary

Overland AI, based in Seattle, WA, is seeking a seasoned Head of Production to lead all aspects of manufacturing for unmanned ground vehicles. You will build and manage production operations, ensuring the highest levels of quality, reliability, and performance on a fast-growing hardware program.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in advanced manufacturing or robotics, a hands-on leadership style, and a proven ability to scale complex hardware operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing/production operations experience.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense-related production preferred.
• Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, tooling, and quality control.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive alignment across engineering and operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing optimization and scaling of full-scale manufacturing, building on early pilot successes to meet growing demand with precision and efficiency.
• Design and implement production plans, workflows, and systems to meet delivery and quality targets.
• Partner with engineering and supply chain leaders to optimize build processes and reduce lead times.
• Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing production team including technicians, leads, and support staff.
• Define and embed best practices for training, safety, communication, and accountability across the team.
• Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee day-to-day production floor activities and facility operations at the Seattle location.
• Drive implementation of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar principles to maximize throughput.

Skills

Leadership experience

Manufacturing leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Robotics/Autonomous systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing / Industrial Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Overland AI, based in Seattle, WA, is seeking a seasoned Head of Production to lead all aspects of manufacturing for unmanned ground vehicles. You will build and manage production operations, ensuring the highest levels of quality, reliability, and performance on a fast-growing hardware program.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in advanced manufacturing or robotics, a hands-on leadership style, and a proven ability to scale complex hardware operations.