Manufacturing Activation & Strategic Initiatives Lead

Airbus Ventures; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a Project Manager to lead manufacturing activation, equipment commissioning, and production ramp activities across its expanding footprint. The role involves translating objectives into executable plans and coordinating across engineering, facilities, and suppliers to deliver on-time readiness.

The successful candidate will drive hands-on execution in a production environment, manage risks, and report to executive leadership on progress and trade-offs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Industrial Technology, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in manufacturing, production, operations, maintenance, engineering, or program management in a complex technical environment.
• Experience activating a greenfield facility, expanding a factory, or launching a new production line.
• Hands-on experience installing, commissioning, qualifying, troubleshooting, and achieving planned production rates.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the integrated manufacturing activation plan (facility readiness, equipment delivery, installation, commissioning, qualification, ramp).
• Translate long-range objectives into detailed workplans with milestones, dependencies, ownership, and readiness criteria.
• Lead the transition from construction to an operational manufacturing environment and ensure readiness.
• Coordinate equipment installation, utility connections, rigging, site acceptance, commissioning, and handover to production.
• Develop ramp plans covering first article, stabilization, throughput improvements, and target production rates.
• Ensure tooling, materials, maintenance, work instructions, safety, and training are ready for production.
• Maintain regular presence on the manufacturing floor during installation and ramp phases.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production to resolve execution issues and maintain progress.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Lean manufacturing

Job description

CesiumAstro is seeking a Project Manager to lead manufacturing activation, equipment commissioning, and production ramp activities across its expanding footprint. The role involves translating objectives into executable plans and coordinating across engineering, facilities, and suppliers to deliver on-time readiness.

The successful candidate will drive hands-on execution in a production environment, manage risks, and report to executive leadership on progress and trade-offs.