Production Specialist (SME)

X-Bow Systems; Luling (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

X-Bow Systems in Texas is seeking a Production Specialist (SME) to serve as the subject matter expert for Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) manufacturing and production execution, supporting the development, readiness, ramp, and sustainment of production systems.

The role provides hands-on manufacturing expertise across the SRM value stream and acts as a key integration point between Production Program Management, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, and Engineering.

Qualifications

• 10+ years aerospace/defense, propulsion, energetic materials or complex manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting complex manufacturing or assembly operations.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specs, BOMs and work instructions.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration across Ops, Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a production subject matter expert across the SRM value stream from development through full-rate production.
• Evaluate readiness, manufacturability, tooling, and facilities to support production execution.
• Support Production Readiness Reviews, identify gaps, risks, and required actions.
• Develop and optimize production value streams, identify bottlenecks and capacity constraints.
• Assist rate and capacity planning, staffing, equipment needs, and sequencing.
• Maintain strong shop-floor presence, troubleshoot issues, and implement durable solutions.
• Provide expertise during process changes, nonconformances, and root-cause investigations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve production constraints.
• Support standard work, visual management, 5S, and material control initiatives.
• Mentor technicians, support qualification, cross-training, and knowledge transfer.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Manufacturing leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Process improvement

Shop floor guidance

Documentation

Education

High school diploma + 10+ years aerospace/production experience

Associate degree + 8+ years manufacturing experience

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Engineering Technology

Job description

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.