Production Operations Manager

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. ABOUT THE TEAM The Maritime Manufacturing Technology team is responsible for rapidly developing and implementing manufacturing technologies and processes for cutting-edge defense hardware, including deployable static and moving surface, undersea and sea to air vehicles and scaling these products in our new manufacturing facilities. ABOUT THE JOB We are seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Production Operations Manager to lead the stand-up and ongoing operations of our advanced manufacturing facility in Santa Ana, CA. This is a foundational role where you will build and manage the entire production system, from team formation to day-to-day execution, ensuring the rapid and high-quality delivery of our groundbreaking maritime products. You will oversee a diverse range of processes including CNC machining, waterjet/plasma/oxy-fuel cutting, plate rolling, welding, systems integration, kitting, and general fabrication. This role is instrumental in translating cutting-edge R&D into scalable, high-volume production. WHAT YOU’LL DO 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. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 10-15+ years of progressive experience 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 transitionin