Production Supervisor

Karman Space & Defense; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

HSA with company contribution

FSA

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Short- and long-term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a Production Scheduler/Manufacturing Supervisor in Huntington Beach, CA, to plan production schedules, allocate resources, and lead a fast-paced aerospace manufacturing team.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and continuous improvement, coordinating across departments to meet delivery goals and maintain performance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, or 6+ years in a similar role.
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, or 6+ years in equivalent role.
• Experience using manufacturing machinery and tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Plans production schedules, assigns work, prioritizes activities, and organizes workflows to meet operational goals.
• Ensures materials, equipment, resources, and information are available for production.
• Leads, trains, and develops production employees, including onboarding new team members.
• Communicates company objectives and operational information across teams.
• Evaluates performance and provides timely feedback and evaluations.
• Supports staffing activities and addresses escalated issues.
• Promotes safe equipment operation and coordinates maintenance and safety procedures.
• Monitors production processes and KPIs, reporting to senior leadership.
• Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Skills

Leadership

Time management

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.

Schedule

• First or second shift.

Responsibilities

• Plans production schedules, assigns work, prioritizes activities, and organizes workflows to meet operational goals.
• Ensures employees have the materials, equipment, resources, and information needed to perform their work effectively.
• Leads, trains, and develops production employees, including onboarding new team members, implementing cross‑training programs, and establishing technician capability goals.
• Communicates company objectives and operational information between employees, management, and other departments.
• Evaluates employee performance, provides fair and timely feedback, conducts annual performance evaluations, and aligns individual expectations with organizational goals.
• Supports staffing activities and addresses escalated internal and external customer or employee issues.
• Promotes safe equipment operation, coordinates regular maintenance, and ensures employees follow established safety procedures and company standards.
• Monitors production processes, key performance indicators (KPIs), performance records, and operational progress, providing reports to senior leadership as required.
• Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize production processes in collaboration with other departments.
• Reviews and approves employee timecards, overtime, and paid time off while ensuring compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and applicable meal and rest break requirements.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma.
• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, or 6+ years of experience in an equivalent role.
• Experience using manufacturing machinery and tools.
• Strong understanding of composite fabrication processes and equipment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational and leadership abilities with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain positive team morale.
• Strong verbal communication, interpersonal, and time‑management skills with attention to detail.
• Self‑motivated, results‑driven approach with strong problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in a technical, engineering, or relevant field.
• Manufacturing and composites experience.

Physical Requirements

• Stands, walks, or sits continuously for at least 8 hours.
• Occasionally pushes, pulls, lifts, or carries 35-50 lbs.
• Performs repetitive movements for prolonged periods.
• Holds, grasps, turns, or otherwise works with the hands.
• Occasionally extends the arms to reach overhead, at shoulder level, and below shoulder level.
• The essential functions of this position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Mentions

• No travel required.
• First or second shift.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company-paid life and AD&DD insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.