Job DescriptionCOLSA is seeking an experienced
Production Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations and ensure production teams achieve safety, quality, output, cost, and schedule objectives. Reporting to the Director, Uncrewed Systems, this role owns daily production execution, including staffing, output, quality, material readiness, training, and process adherence.
Leading and coordinating efforts across Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, Material Inventory Operations, and New Product Introduction (NPI), the Production Manager will identify constraints, resolve issues, and drive consistent manufacturing performance.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, people-focused leader who maintains a strong floor presence, holds teams accountable, uses data to make decisions, and continuously improves safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Production Leadership & Execution- Lead daily manufacturing operations for assigned production areas, lines, or programs.
- Execute production plans while maintaining expectations for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Establish daily targets, priorities, staffing plans, and labor allocation.
- Monitor production performance and quickly escalate material, quality, equipment, process, or staffing constraints.
- Develop recovery plans when production falls behind schedule.
- Maintain strong floor leadership and standards for safety, organization, cleanliness, and 5S.
- Ensure operations comply with applicable OSHA, FAA, FAR, and contractual requirements.
Team Leadership- Directly supervise production leads, technicians, assemblers, and operators.
- Manage daily staffing, attendance, overtime, training, and operator qualification.
- Set clear expectations and provide regular coaching and actionable performance feedback.
- Address productivity, quality, attendance, and performance concerns consistently and promptly.
- Support onboarding and develop production leads and high-performing team members for increased responsibility.
- Foster a culture of accountability, urgency, teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement.
Performance & Quality- Track key manufacturing metrics, including output, build plan attainment, FPY, yield, scrap/rework, cycle time, labor efficiency, downtime, attendance, and training compliance.
- Review performance throughout the shift and take corrective action when results fall below expectations.
- Ensure teams follow approved work instructions, standard work, and quality requirements.
- Partner with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to investigate defects, process deviations, and recurring issues.
- Support root-cause analysis, containment, and corrective actions to reduce manufacturing losses.
Production Readiness & Cross-Functional Leadership- Ensure materials, tooling, equipment, documentation, staffing, and training are ready to support production.
- Partner with Planning, Supply Chain, and Materials teams to resolve shortages and production constraints.
- Serve as the primary Production representative for assigned manufacturing areas.
- Communicate production status, risks, staffing constraints, material shortages, and equipment concerns to leadership and cross-functional teams.
- Support NPI and pilot builds as new products and processes transition into sustained production.
- Maintain effective communication and handoffs between shifts and production areas.
Continuous Improvement- Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, throughput, labor efficiency, production flow, and cost.
- Partner with Manufacturing Engineering on line balancing, standard work, workstation optimization, and process improvements.
- Support Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Use production data and operator feedback to identify root causes and drive sustainable improvements.
- Help standardize successful processes and best practices across production areas.
Required ExperienceRequired Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 10-12 years of functional area experience, including 5-8 years of direct experience in manufacturing, production, operations, or a related environment
- Experience leading or supervising production employees
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production flow, and shop-floor execution
- Experience using an ERP/MRP system in support of manufacturing operations
- Experience managing staffing, production priorities, and changing operational requirements
- Experience using and reporting on manufacturing KPIs such as output, yield, scrap, cycle time, downtime, and labor efficiency
- Strong leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Ability to make timely decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Proficient with standard business software and manufacturing systems
- U.S. Citizenship required; must be able to complete a criminal background check and/or obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required for the position.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in aerospace, uncrewed systems (UAS/drones), robotics, electronics, automotive, or other complex hardware manufacturing environments
- Hands-on experience using Deltek Costpoint MRP
- Familiarity with the operation of CNC machines and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printers
- Experience in high-volume or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, standard work, line balancing, and continuous improvement
- Familiarity with structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) through transition to production
- Familiarity with UAS/drone operations, which may include FAA Part 107 certification
Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
