Manager Manufacturing Optimization

Anduril Industries; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 111,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive continuous improvement across U.S. manufacturing sites. You will establish scalable systems, coach leaders, and implement lean practices to boost safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

The role involves leading cross-functional teams, standardizing processes, and deploying structured problem solving and kaizen to enhance throughput. Relocation to Columbus, OH may be available, travel up to 50% is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and production operations.
• 2+ years in a supervisor or production operations lead/manager role in a high-volume production environment.
• Understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principles, and change management (ECOs).
• Ability to interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specs, electrical schematics).
• Extremely reliable, organized and detail-oriented with excellent verbal & written communication skills.
• Passion for employee development and training of both new hires and veteran production staff.
• Proven skills in process and equipment troubleshooting across changing production environments.
• Experience supporting process development
• Knowledge of 5S, lean manufacturing or Six Sigma principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project)
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Establish a scalable operating system (tiered accountability, daily management, KPI trees, visual management) aligned to safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Strengthen cross-functional execution by integrating Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Test into shared problem‑solving and prioritized action plans.
• Standardize processes and work content to reduce variation, improve first-pass yield, and enable predictable staffing models and flexible labor deployment.
• Drive continuous improvement using structured problem solving (A3/8D), waste elimination, and targeted kaizen to improve flow and performance.
• Lead rapid triage on critical constraints and escapes across all Anduril facilities—stabilize safety/quality events, throughput losses, and schedule risks using standard escalation and containment playbooks.
• Coach and develop Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders through daily Gemba, leader standard work, and structured feedback.
• Capture and deploy best practices across lines/cells/sites via playbooks, standard work libraries, and replication mechanisms with clear ownership and audit cadence.
• Develop practical tools and structures (dashboards, hour‑by‑hour boards, problem queues, skills boards) that improve visibility, prioritization, and decision speed.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Leadership

Communication

MS Office

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical field

Associate degree

Tools

AS9100 knowledge

OSHA knowledge

Job description

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

The Manufacturing Operations Team plays a vital role in driving operational excellence and delivering high-quality products that support Anduril's mission of advancing defense capabilities.

We are seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across our manufacturing sites in the US. This role will work closely with senior manufacturing leadership to implement and sustain lean manufacturing systems, coach frontline leaders, and resolve operational challenges to enhance efficiency, quality, and throughput.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing operations and lean methodologies, with proven experience leading teams and implementing structured problem‑solving approaches. You will be responsible for managing day‑to‑day shop floor operations, developing group leaders and supervisors, and building sustainable systems that drive long‑term performance improvements. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional ready to make an impact in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.

A successful candidate will be expected to work out of Columbus, OH. Based on eligibility, relocation assistance may be available. Travel up to 50% may be required for training, cross‑site collaboration, or supporting continuous improvement initiatives at other Anduril facilities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Establish a scalable operating system (tiered accountability, daily management, KPI trees, visual management) aligned to safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Strengthen cross-functional execution by integrating Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Test into shared problem‑solving and prioritized action plans
• Standardize processes and work content to reduce variation, improve first-pass yield, and enable predictable staffing models and flexible labor deployment
• Drive continuous improvement using structured problem solving (A3/8D), waste elimination, and targeted kaizen to improve flow and performance
• Lead rapid triage on critical constraints and escapes across all Anduril facilities—stabilize safety/quality events, throughput losses, and schedule risks using standard escalation and containment playbooks
• Coach and develop Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders through daily Gemba, leader standard work, and structured feedback
• Capture and deploy best practices across lines/cells/sites via playbooks, standard work libraries, and replication mechanisms with clear ownership and audit cadence
• Develop practical tools and structures (dashboards, hour‑by‑hour boards, problem queues, skills boards) that improve visibility, prioritization, and decision speed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and production operations
• 2+ years in a supervisor or production operations lead/manager role in a high-volume production environment
• A full understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principles, and change management (ECOs)
• Can interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specs, electrical schematics, etc.)
• Extremely reliable, organized and detail-oriented with excellent verbal & written communication skills
• Passion for employee development and enjoy the process of training and developing both new hires and veteran production staff
• Proven skills in both process and equipment troubleshooting, allowing you to easily adapt to constantly changing production environments
• Experience supporting process development
• Knowledge of 5S, lean manufacturing or Six Sigma principles
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project)
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Aircraft new product introduction (NPI) experience
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (engineering, business, or applied science)
• Lean six sigma green belt certified
• Working knowledge of AS9100 standards and OSHA laws
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance
• Experience in small electronic assembly and drones a plus
• Ability to develop cross functional relationships as a well‑respected, trusted partner

US Salary Range

$111,000 — $135,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.

Data Privacy

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.

By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third‑party service provider to conduct pre‑employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third‑party service provider provides risk‑intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public‑record information, and other lawful open‑source or commercial data sources. This third‑party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.