Scale-Up Factory Development Engineer - Remote

Frontdoor Defense; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, and life

401k

Relocation support

Flexible vacation

Equity

Job summary

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to rapidly scale U.S. manufacturing capabilities. The Manufacturing Engineer - Factory Development leads high-priority projects, analyzes root causes, and drives systematic improvements to accelerate production.

This role blends engineering, project management, and pragmatic problem-solving to support rapid scaling of capabilities. Ideal candidates bring a STEM degree or equivalent experience, 2–3 years in manufacturing, and a track record of implementing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a relevant STEM field; 5+ years leadership in high-intensity production environment considered in lieu of degree.
• 2–3 years in a manufacturing role with leadership of meaningful projects.
• Experience developing and implementing production processes/systems in high-growth environment.
• Proven track record of project execution in manufacturing settings.
• Strong problem-solving skills for deep technical or operations issues.

Responsibilities

• Own critical projects from inception to completion, addressing complex operational or technical challenges.
• Perform detailed root-cause analysis to identify and implement sustainable solutions.
• Lead the development of early, pragmatic system improvements to guide longer-term tech advances.
• Design and implement new processes and assets to significantly boost production rates.

Skills

Leadership experience

Project execution

Root cause analysis

Lean Six Sigma

SQL

VBA

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or STEM

Tools

SQL

VBA

Python

Job description

Manufacturing Engineer, Factory Development

Lead cross-functional projects to scale manufacturing by introducing new processes and assets

Location: Dallas, Texas

About The Role

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future

Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost.

Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built.

Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we're building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen.

If you're ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you're exactly who we're looking for.

The Role

The Manufacturing Engineer - Factory Development plays a critical role in advancing our manufacturing capabilities through strategic project management, system building, and innovative problem-solving. This individual is tasked with identifying and tackling high-priority operational and technical challenges, deploying systematic solutions, and driving the introduction of new processes and assets to support rapid scaling of production. This role demands a combination of technical expertise, project management acumen, and an unwavering commitment to uncovering true, pragmatic solutions that address the root of problems.

What You'll Do

• Project Execution: Take ownership of critical projects from inception to completion. This involves diving into complex operational or technical challenges, conducting thorough analysis, and deploying effective solutions. Projects will vary from current operational optimizations to the resolution of intricate technical issues requiring robust solutions.
• Root Cause Analysis: When faced with complex problems, perform detailed root cause analysis to understand the underlying issues. Lead the team towards implementing real, sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes. This requires a systematic approach to problem-solving and a deep technical understanding of manufacturing processes.
• System Building: Play a pivotal role in identifying areas within the factory that require immediate systematic improvements. Lead the development of early, pragmatic solutions that not only address current operational inefficiencies but also lay the groundwork for future software development. By creating these initial solutions, you will provide valuable insights that directly inform the direction and priorities of longer-term technological advancements.
• Asset and Process Introduction: As part of our rapid scaling efforts, lead the redesign of existing processes and the introduction of new processes and assets. This entails full process design and implementation to significantly increase production rates and introduce capabilities previously unavailable.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or a relevant STEM field.
• In lieu of a degree, at least 5 years of leadership experience in a high-intensity production environment may be considered.
• Hands-on manufacturing experience, with a strong preference for those who have led meaningful projects.
• Experience in developing and implementing production processes/systems in a high-growth environment.
• Proven track record of project execution in a manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated proficiency in solving deep technical or operations problems.
• Ability for occasional travel up to 35% of the time.

What Will Set You Apart

• Demonstrated experience with Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience applying software approaches (SQL, VBA, Python, etc.) is a plus.

Benefits for Full-time Employees

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees 401k
• Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need.
• Flexible vacation policy
• Equity

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Use of AI in Hiring

Hadrian uses AI-assisted tools in our recruiting and hiring processes to help our team work more efficiently. This may include tools that help organize and analyze recruiting data, as well as an AI-powered notetaker that can record and transcribe interviews and help coordinate feedback. These tools support our team and are not used to make hiring decisions. All candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are performed by humans. If an interview will be recorded, you will be notified in advance and may opt out at any time with no impact on your candidacy. Candidate data processed through these tools is subject to the same protections described in our Privacy Policy.

Consideration of Criminal History

Hadrian will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws. We do not ask about criminal history on our application, and we do not consider criminal history before making a conditional offer of employment.

Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Hadrian does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental status, physical disability or any other legally protected status. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.