VP of Production

Outpost; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 275,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Equity

Healthcare

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Holidays

401(k) match

Lunch stipend

Snacks & beverages

Pet-friendly office

Team events

Job summary

Outpost is building Earth return vehicles and pioneering space logistics. The Vice President of Production will own manufacturing strategy, scale production from prototypes to repeatable operations, and lead a cross-functional team.

You will report to the CTO and collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and program management to deliver high-quality hardware for government and commercial programs. We seek a battle-tested leader with 12+ years in manufacturing leadership, aerospace experience,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or operations leadership, with 5+ years in executive leadership roles
• Proven success scaling hardware production in aerospace, automotive, or similarly complex manufacturing environments
• Deep experience with manufacturing processes, supply chain, quality systems, and production planning
• Strong track record building and leading production teams
• Exceptional operational and organizational instincts, with a bias toward action
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with an ability to inspire teams and align stakeholders
• Passion for frontier technology, space, and building something from the ground up

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end production strategy and execution for Outpost's return vehicles
• Build and scale manufacturing processes from low-rate prototype to production
• Lead production planning, scheduling, and capacity management
• Oversee quality systems, manufacturing engineering, and shop floor operations
• Build and lead a high-performing production team, including technicians and manufacturing engineers
• Collaborate closely with engineering leadership on design for manufacturability
• Manage supplier and vendor relationships supporting production
• Drive metrics and reporting to track production impact and efficiency

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing leadership

Aerospace manufacturing

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline

Job description

Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely, enabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We're a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with.

The Team

We're looking for a visionary and execution-oriented Vice President of Production to own manufacturing and production at Outpost. This is a foundational leadership role responsible for scaling Outpost's return vehicles from low-rate prototype builds to repeatable, reliable production. You'll lead the strategy and execution of production planning, manufacturing engineering, quality, and shop floor operations. You'll report directly to the CTO and work closely with company leadership across engineering, supply chain, and program management.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end production strategy and execution for Outpost's return vehicles
• Build and scale manufacturing processes from low-rate prototype to production
• Lead production planning, scheduling, and capacity management
• Oversee quality systems, manufacturing engineering, and shop floor operations
• Build and lead a high-performing production team, including technicians and manufacturing engineers
• Collaborate closely with engineering leadership on design for manufacturability
• Manage supplier and vendor relationships supporting production
• Drive metrics and reporting to track production impact and efficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline
• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or operations leadership, with 5+ years in executive leadership roles
• Proven success scaling hardware production in aerospace, automotive, or similarly complex manufacturing environments
• Deep experience with manufacturing processes, supply chain, quality systems, and production planning
• Strong track record building and leading production teams
• Exceptional operational and organizational instincts, with a bias toward action
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with an ability to inspire teams and align stakeholders
• Passion for frontier technology, space, and building something from the ground up

Preferred Skills

• Background in aerospace, automotive, or hardware manufacturing
• Experience with both government and commercial production programs
• Startup experience or familiarity with fast-paced, high-growth environments

Compensation

• Competitive compensation: $275,000 – $325,000; (commensurate with experience).
• Additional Compensation: Annual performance-based bonuses that reward your impact.
• Shared upside: Meaningful equity in Outpost so you share directly in the value you help create.
• Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your loved ones covered. We cover the base tier of medical insurance and all premiums of vision and dental.
• Protection when it matters:Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind, plus life insurance for even more security.
• PTO: Recharge on your own terms with paid time off, plus 9 days of paid holidays.
• Invest in your future:401(k) with company match to help you build long-term wealth.
• Fueled for the mission:Daily DoorDash lunch stipend, plus unlimited snacks, coffee, and tea to keep you energized.
• Mission that matters:Work shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders from aerospace, new space, and deep-tech industries building the future of orbital infrastructure.
• Pet Friendly Office:Bring your furry friend into the office so that they can be a part of our mission too.
• Monthly Company Happy Hours and Events:Drinks at the local bar, hibachi nights, mini golfing and more

You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.