Manufacturing Optimization Lead - Lean Improvement

Anduril-1; Ashville (OH); On-site; USD 143,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive lean excellence across our US manufacturing network, working with senior leadership to implement structured problem solving and daily management systems.

The role emphasizes developing frontline leaders, sustaining lean programs, and improving safety, quality, and throughput. This Columbus, OH-based position may include relocation assistance and up to 50% travel for cross-site initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years 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).
• 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.
• 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

Manufacturing ops

Supervisory experience

LEAN principles

Technical reading

Communication skills

Employee development

Troubleshooting

5S

MS Office

Security clearance

Education

Associate/Bachelor's degree

Job description

Anduril Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive lean excellence across our US manufacturing network, working with senior leadership to implement structured problem solving and daily management systems.

The role emphasizes developing frontline leaders, sustaining lean programs, and improving safety, quality, and throughput. This Columbus, OH-based position may include relocation assistance and up to 50% travel for cross-site initiatives.