Anduril Industries

Deputy Head of Production

Anduril Industries$190K — $252K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in complex electromechanical or aerospace hardware production management.
  • Leadership experience managing large manufacturing teams (100+ personnel).
  • Experience scaling production lines from prototype to production, including greenfield site launches.
  • Strong communication skills with a history of culture-building and effective engagement at all levels.
  • Background in quality assurance with accountability to AS9100D standards.
  • Ownership mentality in managing CapEx, headcount, and schedules under pressure.
  • U.S. Secret security clearance eligibility required.

Responsibilities

  • Own all day-to-day production outcomes and delivery schedules for the Altius line.
  • Build and instill a high-performance culture at Arsenal-1, mentoring frontline leaders.
  • Align and direct cross-functional teams to meet production targets and KPIs.
  • Establish Arsenal-1 as a world-class showcase for advanced aerospace manufacturing.
  • Drive operational processes to mature products to full-rate production with a focus on quality.
  • Oversee digital tool implementation to enhance operation scalability while ensuring control.
  • Manage the five pillars of Planning, Supply Chain, Production, Engineering, and Quality.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package at little to no cost to employees.
  • Support in health and recovery needs.
  • Focus on employee well-being and future opportunities.
Full Job Description
ABOUT THE PRODUCT

The Launched Effects team at Anduril is responsible for scaling the manufacturing and delivery of the Altius family of systems. As the premier Air-Launched Effects (ALE) platform for the U.S. military and its allies, Altius is redefining modern warfare. These tube-launched, autonomous aerial systems must be built to survive extreme deployment environments, requiring precision manufacturing of advanced composites, complex avionics, and modular payload integrations for ISR, Electronic Warfare, and kinetic strike capabilities.
ABOUT THE TEAM

The Altius Leadership Team will set the standard for building the future at Arsenal-1, our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This team will have the opportunity to train alongside our world-class manufacturing teams both at headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA and alongside the main production lines in Atlanta for 3 months before bringing that standard of operational excellence back to launch and scale production in Ohio.
ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Altius Deputy Head of Production, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defense manufacturing by leading the day-to-day operations and scaling of Anduril's Altius product line at Arsenal-1. You will own the strategic development and execution of manufacturing operations, driving products from initial ramp to full-rate production while building a foundational culture of high performance and urgency.

This role requires a dynamic, factory-floor leader who can serve as both a strategic architect and a hands-on executor-rallying cross-functional teams, developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders, and serving as an inspiring communicator across the floor and to executive leadership.
What You'll Do:
  • Production Ownership & Scaling: Own all day-to-day production outcomes and delivery schedules for the ALTIUS line at Arsenal-1. Execute ramp plans, scale manufacturing tooling and lines, and manage CapEx and project spend in accordance with program timelines.
  • Leadership & Culture Building: Serve as an inspiring, visible leader on the factory floor. Build Arsenal-1's operational culture from the ground up, instill a relentless sense of urgency, and actively mentor and develop frontline supervisors and technical leaders beneath you.
  • Cross-Functional Execution: Direct and align on-site teams-including Technicians, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality, and tactical Supply Chain personnel-holding teams accountable to strict deadlines, output targets, and KPIs.
  • Showpiece Facility Standards: Establish and maintain Arsenal-1 as a benchmark "showpiece" manufacturing facility-a world-class showcase of advanced aerospace manufacturing for customer, government, and VIP visits.
  • Operational & Quality Excellence: Drive processes and systems needed to mature products to full-rate production. Embed an AS9100D-aligned "quality-first" culture and continuously optimize KPIs across scrap rates, efficiency, financial targets, and on-time delivery.
  • Process & Technology Advancement: Advise on development and oversee the implementation of digital tools (PLM, ERP, MES, and QMS) to scale operations rapidly while maintaining tight configuration control.
  • Own the 5 Pillars: Planning, Supply Chain, Production, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality.
Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of proven experience overseeing the production, assembly, and testing of complex electromechanical or aerospace hardware.
  • Strong leadership experience managing large (100+ person) manufacturing operations, with direct experience leading technicians, manufacturing engineers, and production teams.
  • Demonstrated experience building or scaling production lines from the ground up (e.g., prototype-to-production scaling, greenfield site launches, or high-growth startup environments).
  • Exceptional executive presence and communication skills, with a track record of building team culture, winning buy-in across all-hands environments, and communicating effectively upward and downward.
  • A strong background in quality assurance and process discipline, with accountability to standards such as AS9100D.
  • High ownership mindset with the ability to manage CapEx, headcount, and schedule milestones with intense urgency.
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
  • Ability to work onsite five days a week at our Ashville, OH campus (Arsenal-1), with initial flexibility to complete an onboarding/training rotation at HQ in Costa Mesa, CA.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Military / Veteran background or experience leading defense-critical manufacturing operations.
  • Demonstrated success establishing greenfield manufacturing facilities or standing up new production cells under tight timelines.
  • Deep experience working with niche supply chains in aerospace, defense, or robotics.
  • Hands-on experience implementing and leveraging modern digital manufacturing toolchains (custom MES, ERP, PLM, QMS).


US Salary Range

$190,000-$252,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.

About Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that develops advanced systems for the military. The company was founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, Trae Stephens, and Matt Grimm, and has since grown to become a major player in the defense industry. Anduril's products include autonomous drones, surveillance systems, and other advanced technologies that are designed to enhance military capabilities. The company has received significant funding from investors and has partnerships with several major defense contractors. Anduril is headquartered in Mountain View, California.
Learn more about Anduril Industries
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2017

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