Propulsion Manufacturing Manager

What the role needs

• Establish the manufacturing floor plan, assembly stations, material flow, tooling, and inventory control systems needed to support efficient production
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, process documentation, and assembly workflows that enable consistent, high-quality builds
• Coordinate build schedules, labor, materials, and equipment to meet production targets and customer delivery commitments
• Collaborate with responsible engineers to resolve non-conformances, manage quarantine inventory, and implement corrective actions
• Hire, train, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers and technicians responsible for assembly, inspection, and hardware acceptance testing
• Coordinate with supply chain to manage work orders, component traceability, hardware kitting, work-in-progress tracking, and material flow throughout the facility
• Identify and implement improvements to improve yield, unit cost, rework, and production throughput
• 10+ years of hands-on experience establishing, launching, or scaling production lines for complex engineered hardware
• Demonstrated ability to translate development builds into repeatable manufacturing processes and production workflows
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams, including engineering, technicians, supply chain, facilities, and operations, to resolve production challenges
• Experience building and leading manufacturing engineering and technician teams
• Familiarity interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, work instructions, inspection requirements, and nonconformance documentation

From the employer

ABOUT US: Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures. WHO WE ARE: We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy. WHO YOU ARE: Astro Mechanica is seeking a Propulsion Manufacturing Manager to establish and scale the manufacturing operations of our ground power systems. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, and operations. You will build our production capability from the ground up, transforming development hardware into repeatable, reliable, production-ready products that can be delivered to customers. You will own the manufacturing processes, production workflows, and team development needed to scale output while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and reliability. Working closely with engineering, supply chain, and facilities teams, you will resolve technical and operational challenges, drive continuous improvement, and help turn our hardware into a scalable business. You excel at streamlining development hardware into a high-quality marketable product. WHAT YOU’LL DO: - Establish the manufacturing floor plan, assembly stations, material flow, tooling, and inventory control systems needed to support efficient production - Create and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, process documentation, and assembly workflows that enable consistent, high-quality builds - Coordinate build schedules, labor, materials, and equipment to meet production targets and customer delivery commitments - Collaborate with responsible engineers to resolve non-conformances, manage quarantine inventory, and implement corrective actions - Hire, train, and develop a team of manufacturing engineers and technicians responsible for assembly, inspection, and hardware acceptance testing - Coordinate with supply chain to manage work orders, component traceability, hardware kitting, work-in-progress tracking, and material flow throughout the facility - Identify and implement improvements to improve yield, unit cost, rework, and production throughput WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: - 10+ years of hands-on experience establishing, launching, or scaling production lines for complex engineered hardware - Demonstrated ability to translate development builds into repeatable manufacturing processes and production workflows - Experience coordinating cross-functional teams, including engineering, technicians, supply chain, facilities, and operations, to resolve production challenges - Experience building and leading manufacturing engineering and technician teams - Familiarity interpreting engineering drawings, GD&T, work instructions, inspection requirements, and nonconformance documentation - Experience implementing manufacturing procedures, material tracking, inventory controls, and hardware traceability systems - Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement - Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining safety, quality, and production schedule requirements - Comfortable safely handling heavy equipment and hardware using lifting fixtures, hoists, and other material-handling equipment - Strong attention to detail and a commitment to workmanship, documentation, and product quality PERKS & BENEFITS: - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan - Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time - Flexible work environment ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role. Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.