Production Supervisor

AeroVironment, Inc.; Pottstown (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 89,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company matching

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. is seeking an experienced manufacturing supervisor to lead day-to-day production, manage final assembly and repair, and develop metrics to drive continuous improvement.

The role emphasizes Lean manufacturing, training, and safety, with a focus on meeting customer deadlines and optimizing workflows. You will interpret drawings, coordinate material flow, and supervise skilled professionals while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in a manufacturing/production environment with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated prior performance in a mid-volume discrete manufacturing operations leadership role and leading a team of skilled employees.
• Understanding of and experience with ISO approved quality systems.
• Good knowledge and understanding of technical processes and engineering drawings.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems (Costpoint or Oracle Fusion experience a plus).
• Must have a valid driver's license and clean DMV record.

Responsibilities

• Supervising the day-to-day activities of manufacturing personnel.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the company's policies and applicable laws.
• Manage final assembly and repair departments.
• Develop and review key operating metrics to assist workers in solving work problems.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing techniques for training and productivity improvements.
• Analyze work orders to estimate worker hours and create schedules.
• Interpret specifications, blueprints, and job orders to workers, and assign duties.
• Assist in planning flow of materials through department and layout according to work orders.
• Interface with others to ensure customer deadlines are met.
• Direct workers in repair of products which fail to meet standards.
• Improve production methods, equipment performance, and product quality.
• Champion changes in working conditions and equipment use to increase safety and efficiency.
• Provide supervision to professional contributors and/or skilled workers.
• Interact with subordinate supervisors and peer groups on projects.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Quality systems

MS Office

Technical drawings

Education

AA/AS degree preferred

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Costpoint

Oracle Fusion

Job description

Position Responsibilities

• Supervising the day-to-day activities of manufacturing personnel.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the company's policies and applicable laws.
• Manage final assembly and repair departments.
• Work with the team to develop and continually review key operating metrics to assist workers in solving work problems.
• Implement and develop training and productivity improvements through Lean Manufacturing techniques.
• Analyze work orders to estimate worker hours and create schedules that meet both internal and external needs.
• Interpret specifications, blueprints, and job orders to workers, and assign duties.
• Assist in planning flow of materials through department and developing physical layout according to work orders.
• Interface with others in the organization to ensure customer deadlines are met.
• Direct workers in repair of products which fail to meet standards.
• Develop, recommend, and implement measures to improve production methods, equipment performance, and quality of product.
• Champions changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase safety, efficiency of shop, department, or work crew.
• Provides direct supervision to professional individual contributors and/or skilled, support individual contributors.
• Frequently interacts with subordinate supervisors and functional peer groups. Interaction normally requires the ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations of technical information concerning specific projects or schedules.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualification (Required Skills & Experience)

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 8 years in a manufacturing/production environment with at least 2 years in a Supervisory role.
• Demonstrated prior performance in a mid-volume discrete manufacturing operations leadership role and leading a team of skilled employees.
• Understanding of and experience with ISO approved quality systems.
• Good knowledge and understanding of technical processes and engineering drawings.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems (Costpoint or Oracle Fusion experience a plus).
• Must have a valid driver's license and clean DMV record.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Two-year AA or AS degree or equivalent experience is highly preferred.
• Prior experience in aerospace or similar industry is preferred.
• Ability to effectively lead and motivate employees.
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions.
• Lean, Six Sigma or other Continuous Improvement training and / or equivalent experience desired.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation, explore multiple potential paths, and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances.
• Inspires, motivates, and empowers people to deliver organizational goals, while also delivering value back to employees.
• Brings organizational values to life using personality, uniqueness, and the creation of a shared vision.
• Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change and leveraging change management best practices.
• Assesses the degree of risk and opportunity in plans or actions and takes appropriate action to mitigate them or makes plans to build on the opportunity.

Special Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Presently holds or capable of obtaining a U.S. Security Clearance.
• Occasionally may be required to travel within the Continental U.S.
• Clearance Level No Clearance.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company matching, and flexible work schedule options. Depending on your business unit, role, and customer contract requirements, select programs may offer a 9/80 work schedule and paid holiday shutdown.

About AV

AV isn't for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best. We don't just build defense technology—we redefine what's possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

The salary range for this role is: $89,000 - $151,500. AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits Overview

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits. We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.