Senior Maritime Production Ops Lead (R&D to Scale)

Anduril; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Anduril is seeking a seasoned Production Operations Manager to stand up and run a cutting‑edge maritime manufacturing facility in Santa Ana, CA. You will build the production system from the ground up, leading a diverse team across CNC, cutting, welding, forming, and integration to deliver high‑volume, high‑quality maritime hardware.

You will drive Lean/Six Sigma practices, coordinate with R&D, Engineering, and Supply Chain, and ensure readiness for rapid scale with strong safety and quality

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years in a manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years in a leadership, management, or supervisor role overseeing diverse production teams.
• Proven experience establishing and standing up manufacturing facilities or significant production lines.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex manufacturing processes including CNC machining, cutting (waterjets, plasma, oxy-fuel), metal forming (rolling), welding, systems integration, and general fabrication.
• Strong understanding and practical experience with ERP, MES, and PLM systems.
• Experience in transitioning products from R&D to full-scale production.
• A proactive, hands-on leadership style, capable of leading teammates on the floor while also driving strategic execution.
• Ability to manage diverse teams in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities.

Responsibilities

• Build & Lead High-Performing Teams: Recruit, hire, train, and manage a full operations team, including Machinists, Welders, Fabricators, Machine Operators, and manufacturing kitting personnel. Establish team leads and foster a culture of safety, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Establish Production Systems: Architect and implement all critical manufacturing infrastructure, including tool rooms, work cells, material flow, and comprehensive shipping & receiving management.
• Develop & Optimize Processes: Design, document, and implement robust manufacturing processes and procedures from the ground up, ensuring efficiency, first-time quality, and scalability.
• Oversee Daily Operations: Manage day-to-day production activities across diverse manufacturing disciplines, ensuring production schedules are met, quality standards are upheld, and resources are optimized.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Implement and champion continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma) to enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality and delivery.
• Bridge R&D to Production: Facilitate the seamless transition of new products and technologies from research and development into full-scale, repeatable production.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and Program Management teams to ensure alignment, resolve issues, and optimize the overall product lifecycle.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to strategic planning for capacity, equipment, and technology roadmaps to support future growth and product development.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Six Sigma Certification

Tools

ERP/MES/PLM systems

Job description

Anduril is seeking a seasoned Production Operations Manager to stand up and run a cutting‑edge maritime manufacturing facility in Santa Ana, CA. You will build the production system from the ground up, leading a diverse team across CNC, cutting, welding, forming, and integration to deliver high‑volume, high‑quality maritime hardware.

You will drive Lean/Six Sigma practices, coordinate with R&D, Engineering, and Supply Chain, and ensure readiness for rapid scale with strong safety and quality