Production Specialist (SME)

X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.; Luling (TX); Presencial; USD 95 000 - 135 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

X-Bow Launch Systems, Inc. is seeking a Production Specialist (SME) to bring hands-on expertise on SRM manufacturing and production readiness. The role interfaces with PM, Operations, QE, Safety, Supply Chain, and Engineering to ensure safe, repeatable, high-quality production.

The ideal candidate has aerospace/defense experience and a track record of transitioning products from development to rate-capable production, with strong problem-solving, leadership and floor presence.

Qualificações

• Experience in aerospace/defense, propulsion, energetic materials or complex manufacturing.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specs, BOMs and work instructions.
• Proven track record of resolving production constraints and driving readiness.

Responsabilidades

• Provide SME-level manufacturing expertise across SRM value stream from development to full-rate production.
• Evaluate readiness, manufacturability, materials, tooling, equipment, and safety to support production execution.
• Identify readiness gaps, risks, and actions during PRRs and drive resolution with functional teams.
• Optimize production value streams, identify bottlenecks and improve cycle time, throughput and scalability.
• Assist with rate and capacity planning: staffing, equipment, layouts, sequencing, ramp strategies.
• Maintain strong floor presence, troubleshoot issues with technicians and engineers.
• Support process changes, engineering changes, nonconformances, RCA, and recovery activities.
• Collaborate with Production PM, Operations, QE, Safety, Supply Chain/MPM, Tooling, Facilities, and Engineering to resolve constraints.
• Develop standardized production systems: standard work, controls, visual mgmt, 5S, material control and tooling accountability.
• Mentor technicians and support qualification and cross-training activities.
• Elevate safety, quality, cost, schedule, capacity, and throughput risks proactively.
• Drive continuous improvement to increase safety, quality and production efficiency.

Conhecimentos

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

On-floor presence

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Engineering

Associate's degree in related field

High school diploma with 10+ years experience

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Job Title: Production Specialist (SME)

Location: Luling, Texas (Onsite)

Schedule: 6:30am - 5pm | Monday - Thursday

About X-Bow Systems: Here at X-Bow Systems the Production Specialist (SME) serves as a subject matter expert for Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) manufacturing and production execution, supporting the development, readiness, ramp, and sustainment of production systems.

This position provides hands-on manufacturing expertise across the SRM production value stream and serves as a critical integration point between Production Program Management, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, Material Program Management, Configuration Management, Tooling, Facilities, and Engineering.

The Production Specialist (SME) is responsible for evaluating whether manufacturing processes, facilities, equipment, tooling, materials, documentation, personnel, and supporting systems are capable of safely and consistently meeting program production requirements.

The ideal candidate brings significant experience in aerospace, defense, energetic materials, propulsion, or complex manufacturing environments and understands what is required to transition a product from development into repeatable, rate-capable production.

This role requires an individual who is comfortable working directly on the production floor, identifying constraints, developing practical solutions, mentoring production personnel, and driving cross-functional actions necessary to achieve production readiness and delivery commitments.

Responsibilities to include but not limited to the following:

• Serve as a production subject matter expert across the SRM value stream, providing hands-on manufacturing expertise from development and production readiness through rate ramp and full-rate production.
• Evaluate production readiness and manufacturability, ensuring processes, personnel, materials, tooling, equipment, facilities, quality controls, and safety requirements collectively support production execution.
• Support Production Readiness Reviews (PRRs) by identifying readiness gaps, production constraints, risks, and required actions and driving issues toward resolution with responsible functional organizations.
• Develop and optimize production value streams, identifying bottlenecks, capacity constraints, material-flow issues, and opportunities to improve cycle time, throughput, scalability, and overall production performance.
• Support rate and capacity planning, including cycle-time assessments, staffing requirements, equipment/tooling needs, work center layouts, production sequencing, and production ramp strategies.
• Maintain a strong production-floor presence, partnering with technicians, supervisors, and engineers to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
• Provide manufacturing expertise during process changes, engineering changes, nonconformances, root-cause investigations, and production recovery activities.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production Program Management, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain/MPM, Configuration Management, Tooling, Facilities, and Engineering to resolve production constraints.
• Support development and implementation of standardized production systems, including standard work, production controls, visual management, 5S, material control, tool accountability, and other operational disciplines.
• Provide technical mentorship and knowledge transfer to technicians and production personnel, supporting qualification, cross-training, workforce capability, and documentation of manufacturing best practices.
• Identify and elevate safety, quality, cost, schedule, capacity, and throughput risks before they impact program production commitments.
• Drive continuous improvement across the production system to increase safety, quality, repeatability, manufacturability, throughput, and production efficiency.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent with 10+ years of relevant aerospace, defense, propulsion, energetic materials, manufacturing, or production experience; OR
• Associate's degree with 8+ years of relevant manufacturing experience; OR
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Operations, Engineering, or related discipline with 5+ years of relevant manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex manufacturing or assembly operations.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production flow, tooling, equipment, work instructions, and shop-floor execution.
• Experience identifying and resolving production constraints.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, manufacturing work instructions, and configuration-controlled documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain organizations.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and provide technical manufacturing guidance to production teams.
• Ability and willingness to maintain a strong presence in active manufacturing environments

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

X-Bow Launch Systems, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with X-Bow Launch Systems, Inc. is based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protectedstatus.