Director of Manufacturing

Director of Manufacturing

Flightwave - Torrance, CA 90503

Position Summary

The Director of Manufacturing at FlightWave Aerospace is responsible for leading the company's end-to-end manufacturing organization, ensuring the successful execution of assembly, testing, planning, production control, and flight operations in support of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) manufacturing and customer deliveries.

This role provides strategic leadership across manufacturing operations, balancing production capacity, material availability, workforce planning, and operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. The Director of Manufacturing partners closely with Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, Quality, and Executive Leadership to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and scalable manufacturing processes that support company growth.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with extensive aerospace manufacturing experience, strong business acumen, and a proven track record of building high-performing teams in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Manufacturing functions including Production, Flight Operations, Production Control, and Planning.
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that support company growth, operational excellence, and customer delivery commitments.
• Lead managers and department leaders to ensure alignment of manufacturing objectives across all operational functions.
• Own the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) execution process in partnership with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Executive Leadership.
• Drive production planning, capacity planning, and resource allocation to maximize throughput while balancing quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Establish and monitor key manufacturing metrics including on-time delivery, schedule attainment, labor efficiency, first-pass yield, inventory accuracy, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Ensure Production Control maintains accurate work order management, inventory transactions, material availability, and manufacturing schedule execution.
• Oversee Flight Operations to ensure efficient aircraft testing, acceptance, documentation, and customer delivery readiness.
• Partner with Engineering to support New Product Introduction (NPI), Design for Manufacturability (DFM), production readiness, and successful product transitions into manufacturing.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Identify manufacturing risks, operational bottlenecks, and capacity constraints while implementing proactive corrective actions.
• Develop annual operating plans, staffing strategies, departmental budgets, and capital equipment recommendations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing organization.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, AS9100 requirements, FAA regulations where applicable, ITAR/EAR requirements, and all applicable safety standards.
• Provide regular operational updates, KPI reporting, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and retain high-performing leaders while creating succession plans for critical manufacturing positions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including at least 5 years leading multiple manufacturing departments.
• Experience managing Production, Planning, Scheduling, Production Control, and cross-functional manufacturing teams.
• Aerospace, defense, UAV, or highly regulated manufacturing experience required
• Proven experience leading organizational growth, operational improvements, and manufacturing scalability.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong executive leadership and organizational management skills.
• Exceptional strategic planning and operational execution abilities.
• Experience in Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) processes.
• Deep understanding of ERP/MRP systems, production planning, scheduling, and manufacturing operations.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, labor planning, and cost management.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills using operational data and KPIs.
• Ability to build high-performing teams and develop future leaders.
• Thorough understanding of aerospace quality systems, manufacturing documentation, and regulatory compliance.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience scaling manufacturing organizations from low-volume to higher-rate production.
• Experience with electro-mechanical assembly and unmanned aircraft systems.
• Familiarity with FAA certification programs and flight test operations.
• Experience supporting government and defense manufacturing programs.
• Knowledge of manufacturing automation and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Experience leading facility expansions or manufacturing line implementations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to stand and move between production cells for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs. occasionally.
• May require occasional travel to suppliers, customer sites, or company facilities.
• May require extended hours during critical production ramps, customer deliveries, or operational milestones.

Background Check

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.

EEO and ITAR/EAR Work Authorization Disclosure

Red Cat Holdings provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.

E-Verify

The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Compensation: Base pay, plus generous annual equity package and potential bonuses.