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Salary: USD 129,000 - 171,000 / annual
Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across US manufacturing sites. This role reports to senior manufacturing leadership and is based in Columbus, OH, with up to 50% travel required for cross-site collaboration and continuous improvement initiatives.
You will establish scalable operating systems aligned to safety, quality, delivery, and cost through tiered accountability, daily management, KPI trees, and visual management. You'll strengthen cross-functional execution by integrating Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Test into shared problem-solving and prioritized action plans. Your responsibilities include standardizing processes to reduce variation and improve first-pass yield, driving continuous improvement using structured problem-solving (A3/8D), waste elimination, and kaizen methodologies.
You will lead rapid triage on critical constraints and escapes across all Anduril facilities, stabilizing safety/quality events, throughput losses, and schedule risks using standard escalation and containment playbooks. A key part of this role is coaching and developing Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders through daily Gemba walks, leader standard work, and structured feedback. You'll capture and deploy best practices across lines, cells, and sites via playbooks and standard work libraries, and develop practical tools and structures (dashboards, hour-by-hour boards, problem queues, skills boards) that improve visibility, prioritization, and decision speed.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional ready to make an impact in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and production operations
- 2+ years in a supervisor or production operations lead/manager role in a high-volume production environment
- Full understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principles, and change management (ECOs)
- Ability to interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specs, electrical schematics)
- Extremely reliable, organized, and detail-oriented with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Passion for employee development and training both new hires and veteran production staff
- Proven skills in both process and equipment troubleshooting
- Experience supporting process development
- Knowledge of 5S, lean manufacturing, or Six Sigma principles
- Proficiency with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Aircraft new product introduction (NPI) experience
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering, business, or applied science)
- Lean Six Sigma green belt certification
- Working knowledge of AS9100 standards and OSHA laws
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance
- Experience in small electronic assembly and drones
- Ability to develop cross-functional relationships as a well-respected, trusted partner
