Master Scheduler

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is seeking a Master Scheduler to develop and maintain the integrated master schedule for turbine engine programs, prototypes, and production units. You will coordinate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, and Manufacturing to convert demand into a validated, resource-loaded plan.

The role requires strong MS Project skills, ERP/MRP familiarity (Costpoint, SAP, Oracle), and the ability to align schedules with gates, baselines, and cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field; 3–7 years in master scheduling or production planning.
• Proficient with MS Project; capable of managing complex dependencies, baselines, and critical path.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) aligned with customer requirements, gates, and deliverables.
• Coordinates cross-functional activities across Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, and Manufacturing.
• Publishes weekly schedule reports, tracks earned value, percent complete, and milestone adherence.
• Creates finite production schedules for work centers and manages WIP visibility and shipping readiness.
• Ensures MS Project aligns with Costpoint work orders, part availability, and BOM structure; supports cost, material planning, and labor loading.
• Performs What-If analyses, manages baselines, and communicates schedule health and risks to leadership.
• Supports compliance with AS9100, gating requirements, and documentation standards.

Skills

MS Project

Schedule optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical problem-solving

Engineering drawings interpretation

Communication

Aerospace/Defense experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related discipline

3-7 years experience in Master Scheduling, Production Planning, Program Scheduling, or Operations Planning

Strong experience using MS Project and/or advanced scheduling tools

Tools

MS Project

Costpoint

SAP

Oracle

Job description

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

The Master Scheduler is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing the integrated master schedule (IMS) to ensure on-time delivery of TDI’s turbine engine programs, prototypes, and production units. This role coordinates cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, and Manufacturing to convert customer demand and program requirements into an accurate, achievable, and fully resource-loaded schedule.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) Ownership

• Develops and maintains program schedules in MS Project aligned with customer requirements, internal gating, and contract deliverables.
• Integrates engineering, supply chain, production, test, and quality tasks into a single master plan with clear dependencies, durations, and predecessors.
• Ensures schedule logic, baselines, critical path, and constraints are accurate and updated weekly.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Facilitates schedule updates from Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Test, Quality, and outside vendors.
• Leads weekly schedule stand-ups and communicates gaps, risks, and recovery actions.
• Coordinates with Supply Chain on long-lead identification, demand signals, and supplier on-time delivery status.

Execution Governance

• Publishes weekly schedule reports, dashboards, and critical path summaries.
• Tracks earned value, percent complete, work remaining, and milestone adherence.
• Flags deviations early and drives root-cause analysis and corrective actions.

Production & Test Scheduling

• Aligns engine build and test cell capacity planning with customer demand.
• Creates finite production schedules for work centers and identifies resources required to execute the plan.
• Maintains visibility of work-in-process (WIP), shortages, test status, and shipping readiness.

MRP/ERP Alignment

• Ensures MS Project schedules align with Costpoint work orders, part availability, and BOM structure.
• Collaborates with Inventory, Procurement, and Planning to maintain accurate supply signals.
• Supports program cost, material planning, and labor loading through accurate data integration.

Risk, Change, and Communication

• Performs What-If modeling to assess schedule impacts of design changes, supply chain delays, or resource constraints.
• Manages schedule baselines, revisions, and version control within Teams or SharePoint.
• Provides timely communication to leadership on schedule health and projected delivery performance.

Compliance & Documentation

• Supports AS9100, DFARS, and internal gating requirements for planning and documented scheduling.
• Maintains configuration control of all schedule files and publishes official versions to the PMO repository.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No direct reports; must influence cross-functional teams through transparency, data accuracy, and consistent communication.

Experience And Skills

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Required

• Strong proficiency in MS Project (complex dependencies, resource loading, baselines, critical path).
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems (Costpoint preferred; SAP/Oracle acceptable).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing workflows.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing aerospace R&D/manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead meetings, drive accountability, and elevate appropriately.

Preferred

• Experience in aerospace, turbomachinery, engine production, or defense manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) and schedule performance metrics.
• Familiarity with DoD programs, contract requirements, and gated development processes.
• Understanding of AS9100 planning, configuration control, and documentation standards.
• Ability to perform capacity planning and resource constraint modeling.

Education And Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 3-7 years experience in Master Scheduling, Production Planning, Program Scheduling, or Operations Planning.
• Strong experience using MS Project and/or advanced scheduling tools.

Preferred

• Aerospace or defense industry experience.
• APICS CPIM or CSCP, PMP, or similar certification.
• Experience supporting engineering development and low-volume/high-mix builds.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Office and manufacturing shop-floor environment with routine interaction across engineering, supply chain, operations, and quality teams.
• May be exposed to noise, vibration, dust, and chemicals (within OSHA limits).
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods (8–9 hours typical).
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs per TDI safety guidelines.
• Ability to work at a computer workstation for long durations.
• Occasional travel (0-10%) to suppliers or corporate sites.

Travel Requirements

• 0-25% May be required between other Kratos locations

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

EEO Is The Law

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affidavit/affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America’s veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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