Job Description: As a Production Manager at AstroForge, you will own the fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of flight hardware as we stand up production. This role is about building a line, not running an established one. You will define work instructions, travelers, and production processes, partner with engineering, and manage technicians. You will be a hands-on floor leader, equally comfortable running a build today and designing the systems to run ten builds a month tomorrow.
Responsibilities:- Own end-to-end production of assigned hardware, from kitting and build through integration and test.
- Stand up foundational production processes, including work instructions, travelers, configuration control, and shop floor workflows.
- Lead and grow a team of technicians, setting build priorities and holding the floor accountable to schedule and quality.
- Provide real-time manufacturability feedback and resolve build issues, nonconformances, and design changes.
- Build and maintain production schedules that account for long-lead parts, tooling availability, and engineering change traffic.
- Establish baseline production metrics (throughput, cycle time, escapes, cost) and use them to drive continuous improvement.
- Evaluate and help select production software systems that fit our current stage and scale with us.
- Coordinate with supply chain on vendor-built components and outside processing to keep builds unblocked.
- Champion a safety-first culture on the floor as headcount and equipment scale.
- Recruit, hire, and train technicians and, at senior levels, supervisors.
- Communicate build status, risks, and schedule impacts to engineering and leadership.
Basic Qualifications:- College degree in an engineering or business discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience in aerospace/hardware production.
- 5+ years (more at senior levels) in production, manufacturing, or build/integration roles for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or comparable high-reliability hardware.
- Demonstrated ability to build production processes from scratch, not just operate within an existing one.
- Experience working directly with engineering to resolve build and manufacturability issues in real time.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity with limited existing tooling or process.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to report schedule, risk, and quality status to cross-functional stakeholders.
- Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.
Preferred Skills and Experience- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
- Experience standing up a production line or work cell at a new space or early-stage aerospace company.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
- Experience implementing or configuring MES/ERP/PLM systems for a growing manufacturing organization.
- Direct experience managing technicians across cleanroom, structures, propulsion, or avionics build environments.
- Experience scaling a team and process from single-unit builds toward low-rate, repeatable production.
- Working knowledge of AS9100 or comparable quality/manufacturing standards.
Benefits:- 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage
- Vision and FSA benefits available
- 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time
- 10 paid Holidays
- Retirement savings plan - 401(k), with company match
- Equity on the ground floor of a startup
Pay Range- Level 2: $115,500 - $140,000
- Level 3: $135,500 - $170,000
- Equity on the ground floor of a startup
CompensationThe base pay range for this role is $115,000 - $205,000 per year.
