Production Planner

Zone5Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company-match

4 weeks paid time off

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Zone5Technologies is seeking a proactive and data-driven Production Planner to optimize workflows and achieve production targets. The ideal candidate will bridge high-level strategy with daily execution and collaborate with multiple teams to ensure production efficiency.

Required qualifications include 2-3 years of planning experience and familiarity with MRP/ERP software. Benefits include a competitive compensation package, medical, dental, vision insurance, and 401k matching.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years planning experience, coursework or certifications.
• Experience building reports and analytical tools.
• 1+ years’ experience in special projects or engineering.
• Experience in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Create consolidated schedule for production builds.
• Integrate contractual deliverables into schedules.
• Establish KPIs for scheduling and track performance.
• Monitor production plan health.

Skills

Analytical forecasting

Problem-solving

Production planning

Communication

MRP/ERP software

Education

2-3 years planning experience

2-5 years experience with MRP/ERP

Tools

Kanban systems

Reporting tools

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting‑edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology – solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next‑generation flight systems, you belong here.

We are seeking an proactive and data‑driven Production Planner to bridge the gap between high‑level strategy and daily manufacturing execution.

The ideal candidate will blend analytical forecasting with innovative problem‑solving to optimize workflows and achieve production build targets, boosting our rate of deliverable fulfillment. This role will serve as a key contributor to Zone 5’s production build schedule through streamlining operations, minimizing downtime, and maximizing resource efficiency. The ideal candidate will be metric‑driven, possess the ability to assess risk, and can effectively communicate production deliverables throughout all organizational branches and cross‑collaborate with stakeholders. They are innovative and able to build continuous improvement milestones alongside production schedules, championing Zone 5’s mission. The Production Planner will work collaboratively with Supply Chain, Program Leadership, Production and Engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Create consolidated, centralized schedule for production builds
• Integrate contractual deliverables into production build schedules
• Proactively engage key contributors and secure necessary authorizations
• Establish clear, quantifiable key performance indicators for scheduling and track performance
• Monitor real‑time production plan health
• Balance demands with team capacity, assuring sustainable, high‑quality output
• Anticipate potential delays or resource constraints before they happen
• Balance rapidly pivoting deliverables and design resolutions when roadblocks occur
• Build reports and supportive tools to prevent shortages, visualize project standing and analyze needed materials
• Root Cause Corrective Action of inventory inaccuracies associated to end items and components in WIP
• Responsible for creating work orders and scheduling production of fabricated parts to support Zone 5’s production schedule

Required Qualifications

• Combination of 2‑3 years planning experience, related coursework, and/or certifications
• Experience building reports and analytical tools
• 1‑2 years’ experience creating schedules
• 1+ years’ experience within special projects, new product development, and/or engineering environments
• Experience working within heavily regulated environments
• 2‑5 years’ experience with MRP/ERP software
• Working knowledge of production planning, material requirements planning, and Kanban systems
• Ability to coordinate materials and production schedules with multiple teams, solve urgent problems associated with manufacture of products and documents, and communicate production outcomes and trends
• U.S. Citizenship

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience within aerospace, defense or government related environments
• Understanding of Lean and Six Sigma Principles
• Experience automating recurring data reports and building dynamic dashboards and/or workflow tools
• 1–2 year track record of meeting production deliverables and effectively increasing production outputs

Pay range for this role: $95,000 — $112,000 USD

What’s in it for you

Benefits

• Competitive total compensation package
• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company‑match
• 4 weeks of paid time off each year
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting‑edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E‑Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E‑Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E‑Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.