Production Control Manager

Apex Technology, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in Apex

Performance-based cash bonus

100% company-paid healthcare

PTO starting at 15 days, 20+ later

401(k) matching

8 weeks parental leave

Daily catered lunch and snacks

Office in Playa Vista

Stock options beyond base salary

Real impact opportunity in aerospace

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. is seeking a skilled Production Control Manager to drive the on-time integration of components for advanced space systems in Playa Vista.

You will lead a scheduling-centric team and collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain to maintain master schedules and KPIs. You will develop reporting tools and dashboards, ensuring timely communication of schedule updates to leadership, and you’ll champion lean production and automation initiatives to improve

Qualifications

• U.S. Persons status is required to access export-controlled data.
• 4+ years of manufacturing scheduling experience in high-rate aerospace or automotive environments.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience leading a production control team.
• Strong understanding of varied scheduling philosophies and tailoring to value streams.
• Experience with tools to produce and maintain schedules (MS Project, Smartsheet, P6/Primavera).
• Experience developing/refining manufacturing tools and software (ERP/MRP & MES).
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills; capable of fast-paced troubleshooting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, SQL).
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a production control team with long-term and daily production planning.
• Develop master schedules with cross-functional teams using Microsoft Office and other tools.
• Coach team members and provide regular schedule performance reporting.
• Create dashboards and metrics to identify material shortages and schedule risks.
• Establish daily work schedules, monitor progress, and communicate timelines to leadership.
• Collaborate to build an MRP system aligned with vehicle production schedules.
• Coordinate availability of fixtures, tooling, and testing equipment.
• Maintain awareness of facility capabilities and workforce availability to inform scheduling.
• Lead initiatives to improve product quality, efficiency, safety, and performance.
• Drive process automation and lean production to increase efficiency.

Skills

Manufacturing scheduling

People leadership

Scheduling software

Data analysis

Excel/Power BI

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Primavera P6

ERP/MRP/MES

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About the Role

Apex is seeking a talented and experienced Production Control Manager to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will play a crucial role in the spacecraft manufacturing and test process, ensuring the seamless and on-time integration of components and systems for our advanced space systems. Your expertise in aerospace manufacturing, assembly, and integration will be essential in delivering high-quality products that meet our stringent performance and reliability requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Build a team of high-performing key contributors in long-term and day-to-day production planning, providing advanced scheduling solutions and strategic insights.

• Develop the processes for the Production Control team to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams—engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and business development—to develop and maintain comprehensive master schedules using Microsoft Office and other relevant tools.

• Coach team members to provide regular reporting on schedule performance through daily updates, weekly summaries, and monthly reviews.

• Develop and use reporting tools and metrics—leveraging Excel, queries, and visual dashboards to identify material shortages and schedule risks and hold team members and cross-functional teams accountable to these KPI’s.

• Generate the infrastructure to create and manage daily work schedules, monitor progress, identify potential bottlenecks, and communicate project timeline updates to leadership.

• Collaborate with other stakeholders to build an MRP system with data that reflects accurate delivery timelines and aligns with vehicle production schedules.

• Build a system for the team to coordinate the timely availability of fixtures, tooling, and testing equipment to ensure smooth production cycles.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of facility capabilities and workforce availability to inform scheduling decisions.

• Lead initiatives focused on improving product quality, efficiency, safety, and overall performance.

• Spearhead process automation and lean production efforts by simplifying workflows and increasing operational efficiency.

Requirements:

• U.S. Persons status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data.

• 4+ years of manufacturing scheduling experience, ideally in a high-rate aerospace or automotive environment

• 2+ years of people leadership experience, ideally leading a production control team responsible for managing and meeting rate production schedules

• Strong understanding of a variety of scheduling philosophies, able to tailor scheduling to fit to different value streams

• High proficiency in software packages utilized to produce and maintain schedules, such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, and/or P6/Primavera

• Experience with developing, implementing, and refining manufacturing tools and software, such as ERP/MRP & MES systems

• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment.

• High capability in Microsoft Office tools, especially those used for data analysis (i.e. Excel, PowerBI, SQL)

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and business needs.

Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup that has raised more than $500M in funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer For Full-time Employees:

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create

• Cash bonus eligibility: share in Apex’s success with eligibility for a performance-based cash bonus on top of your salary, rewarding the impact you make

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost

• Comprehensive PTO package: Starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays

• Competitive 401(k) plan: Generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%

• 8 weeks paid parental leave: Plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel

• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks: To keep you fueled throughout the day

• Vibrant community: Monthly office socials, pickleball tournaments, run club, and gatherings for you and your family

• Your dream desk setup: All the tools you need to be your most productive self

• World-class Playa Vista office: With the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life

• Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference

Additional Information:

Compensation ranges are set by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. A candidate's specific level and base pay are determined case by case and may vary with job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity. Beyond base salary, full-time hires are also eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options, along with medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.

ITAR Requirements

Apex's work is governed by U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To be eligible for this role, applicants must either (1) qualify as a U.S. Person, meaning a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee admitted under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an individual granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or (2) be able to obtain the required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or another applicable U.S. government agency. You can learn more about ITAR here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.