Lightship

Production Supervisor

Lightship$94K — $104K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of supervisory experience in manufacturing (e.g., Automotive, Aerospace, Robotics)
  • Ability to lead and develop teams of ~20 in fast-paced environments
  • Strong grasp of quality management systems and engineering drawings
  • Experience in multi-disciplinary teams in technical contexts
  • Proficient with Google Workspace tools
  • Familiarity with ERP/MES/WMS systems

Responsibilities

  • Plan and direct daily production activities to meet output targets
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of production associates
  • Monitor line efficiency and address bottlenecks proactively
  • Conduct quality checks and drive root cause analysis for defects
  • Promote a zero-incident safety culture through thorough assessments
  • Coordinate with various departments to secure necessary materials
  • Engage in continuous improvement projects such as Kaizen and 5S initiatives

Benefits

  • Comprehensive healthcare, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan
  • Generous flexible paid time off
  • 8 paid company holidays plus scheduled downtime
  • 12 weeks paid parental leave
  • $2,000 annual budget for RV trips or professional development
  • 100% premium coverage for employee and dependents' health insurance
Full Job Description
About the Role
As a Production Supervisor on our Lightship RV team, you will lead a team of production associates to build Lightship's high-quality, all-electric recreational vehicles. You will own daily floor operations - driving safety, quality, and throughput - while developing your team and championing a culture of continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate for this role is someone who embraces rapid iteration and is driven to develop both talent and operational foundations from the ground up.

The standard day shift runs Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. As a salaried position, hours may vary slightly based on production needs, but core availability during this shift is essential for team collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and direct daily production activities to meet scheduled output targets.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of ~20+ production associates through daily huddles, clear expectations, and timely feedback.
  • Monitor line efficiency, cycle times, and throughput; identify and eliminate bottlenecks proactively.
  • Ensure all units are built to specification, conducting in-process quality checks and driving root-cause analysis for defects and rework.
  • Build and champion a zero-incident safety culture through process; Job Hazards Assessments ( JHAs), Lock-out tag-out (LOTO) compliance, and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).
  • Coordinate with Planning, Procurement, and Logistics to ensure materials and tooling are available on time.
  • Lead or participate in Kaizen events, 5S initiatives, and lean manufacturing projects to reduce waste and improve output.
  • Investigate near-misses and incidents; complete reports and implement corrective actions promptly.
  • Track and report key production KPIs examples include; units per shift, scrap rate, labor efficiency, and on-time delivery.
  • Ensure accurate completion of build sheets, work orders, and quality documentation.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality on process changes and new product introductions.
  • Manage attendance, timekeeping, and adherence to company policies; escalate as appropriate.
  • Participate in daily standup meetings to ensure daily goals are met.


Minimum Qualifications

  • 3+ years of supervisory experience in a relevant manufacturing environment. Examples include: Automotive, Aerospace, Robotics
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams of ~20 or more technicians/associates in a fast-paced production setting.
  • Strong understanding of quality management systems, engineering drawings, and production scheduling.
  • Demonstrated experience working successfully in multi-disciplinary teams in a technical environment.
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace tools
  • Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in a startup or early-stage manufacturing environment where processes, systems, and standards were being defined in real time.
  • Proven ability to build production documentation from scratch, including SOPs, work instructions, and build sheets.
  • Lean Six Sigma or equivalent lean manufacturing experience with a demonstrated ability to implement structured programs on floors that lacked prior process maturity, not just sustain existing ones.
  • Track record of establishing people systems such as: shift handoff protocols, escalation paths, attendance accountability, and team meeting cadences.
  • Experience partnering with Engineering and Quality to formalize processes during active production.
  • Experience with Atlassian suite (JIRA, Confluence)


Equity

  • Lightship compensation consists of the yearly salary above plus equity, which gives you a stake in the company.


$94,000 - $104,000 a year

Employee Benefits & Philosophy - Applies to Full Time Employees only

- Healthcare, Dental, Vision

- 401k

- Flexible Paid Time Off - that we actually want you to use!

- 8 Company Holidays + the company observes a period of scheduled downtime during the end of the year for a week, allowing all employees to enjoy a break

- 12 weeks paid parental leave

- $2,000 per year towards an RV trip of your own &/or professional development opportunities - we call this a LightTrip

Lightship offers all of its full time employees and their dependents full benefits including health, dental and vision insurance and covers 100% of the insurance premium. We are on a mission to create a more healthful all-electric experience for a pastime that millions of families enjoy and believe strongly that our team should not have to worry about quality healthcare for themselves or their loved ones along the way.

About Lightship

Lightship is a technology company that specializes in developing advanced airships for various applications. The company's airships are designed to provide a low-cost, low-carbon alternative to traditional aircraft for a range of missions, including cargo transport, surveillance, and communications. Lightship's airships are powered by a combination of solar panels and batteries, which allows them to operate for extended periods without refueling. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Washington, DC.
Learn more about Lightship
Size
50 employees
Industry
Founded
2012

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