Role Summary

PDW is seeking a hands-on Vice President of Manufacturing Engineering to lead industrialization, process engineering, automation, tooling, and manufacturing test across multiple sUAS product lines in Huntsville, Alabama (On-site). The ideal candidate is a proven leader who has translated complex electromechanical products from prototype into scalable, compliant, and cost-effective production.

The VP of Manufacturing Engineering owns the manufacturing engineering strategy from DFM/DFX and line architecture through tooling, process validation, transfer to production, and sustained yield improvement; while building the technical organization, standards, and execution discipline required to support growth.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead and develop manufacturing engineering, test engineering, industrialization, tooling, automation, and sustaining process engineering teams; establish technical standards, accountability, and execution rigor.
• Own manufacturing engineering strategy for subassembly, final assembly, and end-of-line test across multiple sUAS platforms.
• Lead NPI industrialization from concept through rate production: drive DFM/DFX, process flows, PFMEA, control plans, work instructions, pilot builds, validation, and ramp readiness.
• Define and execute line architecture, equipment selection, tooling and fixture design, automation strategy, and manufacturing test systems for new and existing programs.
• Partner with Product Engineering to drive DFM/DFT/DFX, design simplification, assembly methods, tolerance stack-ups, and producibility decisions early in development.
• Establish process capability and validation discipline, including process characterization, gage strategy, first article readiness, and clear acceptance criteria.
• Own manufacturing process documentation and configuration control, including BOM and routing readiness, work instruction quality, ECO/ECN implementation, and audit-ready records.
• Lead yield improvement, defect reduction, cycle-time optimization, and root-cause investigations using structured problem-solving and data-driven analysis.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Quality to deploy robust process controls, in-process verification, traceability, and corrective action in a high-reliability environment.
• Partner with Manufacturing Systems and Automation to enable digital work instructions, production data capture, traceability, and ERP/MRP process integrity (NetSuite preferred).
• Establish capacity models, labor standards, line balancing, and CapEx roadmaps to support launches and production scaling.
• Support supplier and contract manufacturer industrialization, including process reviews, tooling and test readiness, first article support, and transfer-to-production oversight.
• Build and manage the manufacturing engineering operating cadence: KPI dashboards, technical reviews, budgets, vendor partnerships, and talent development plans.

Required Qualifications
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing engineering, industrialization, or advanced manufacturing leadership experience in electronics and/or electromechanical assembly.
• Proven success leading NPI transfer-to-production efforts and scaling complex hardware manufacturing in aerospace/defense, robotics, automotive, or similar environments.
• Deep hands-on experience with line design, tooling, fixturing, automation, manufacturing test, process validation, and ramp-to-rate execution.
• Strong command of Lean manufacturing, PFMEA, control plans, standard work, and structured problem-solving methodologies; SPC/DOE experience preferred.
• Experience operating in regulated or high-reliability manufacturing environments with strong traceability, configuration control, and audit readiness requirements.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP and manufacturing systems for discrete manufacturing (NetSuite preferred), including BOMs, routings, work orders, and engineering changes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and executives through ambiguity and rapid growth.
• Ability to lead on-site in Huntsville, Alabama, and operate as a visible, floor-level manufacturing engineering executive.

Preferred Qualifications
• Aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive EV, or advanced mobility manufacturing experience.
• Experience scaling products from prototype and pilot builds to high-volume annual production.
• Background with sUAS, avionics, batteries, RF payloads, or mission-critical electronics integration.

ITAR Requirement

In compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR), candidates must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), or individuals granted asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Compensation and Benefits
• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% sponsored by the company).
• Safe Harbor 401(k) with company match and equity participation.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.
• A relaxed work environment that encourages individuality and innovation.