Manager, Manufacturing Optimization

<div class="content-intro"><p>Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.</p></div><h3>ABOUT THE TEAM</h3> <p>The Manufacturing Operations Team plays a vital role in driving operational excellence and delivering high-quality products that support Anduril's mission of advancing defense capabilities.</p> <h3>ABOUT THE JOB</h3> <p>We are seeking a Manufacturing Optimization Manager to support in the development and deployment of the Anduril Production System (APS) to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across our manufacturing sites in the US. This role will work closely with manufacturing/production leadership teams to develop, implement, and sustain lean manufacturing systems, coach frontline leaders, and build tools to help drive operational performance in the business.<br><br>The ideal candidate will have a strong background in manufacturing operations and would have held roles leading production teams on a shop floor. The candidate should have a strong working knowledge and application of metric board tracking, KPI and target development, problem solving, and a demonstrated proficiency in daily management in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing setting. You will be responsible for building capabilities in frontline production leaders (Supervisor and Team Leader) and creating sustainable systems in Manufacturing Excellence that drive long-term performance improvements. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing professional ready to make an impact by coaching, teaching, and developing others through a hands-on approach.<br><br>A successful candidate will be expected to work out of Columbus, OH. Based on eligibility, relocation assistance may be available. <strong>Travel up to 50% may be required</strong> for training, cross-site collaboration, or supporting continuous improvement initiatives at other Anduril facilities.</p> <p><strong>WHAT YOU’LL DO</strong></p> <ul> <li>Establish a scalable operating/manufacturing/production system (tiered accountability, daily management, KPI trees, visual management, problem solving, governance) aligned to Safety, People, Quality, Delivery, and Cost</li> <li>Strengthen cross-functional execution by integrating Operations, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Test into shared problem-solving and prioritized action plans</li> <li>Standardize processes, tools, and templates that will be used by all Operations teams across the company</li> <li>Coach and develop Managers, Supervisors and Team Leaders through daily Gemba, leader standard work, and structured feedback</li> <li>Capture and deploy best practices across lines/cells/sites via playbooks, standard work libraries, and replication mechanisms with clear ownership and audit cadence</li> <li>Develop practical tools and structures (dashboards, hour-by-hour boards, problem queues, skills boards) that improve visibility, prioritization, and decision speed</li> </ul> <p><strong>REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS</strong></p> <ul> <li>5+ years of experience as a Production Supervisor or Manager running a shop floor in a high-volume environment</li> <li>Possesses strong working knowledge and application of LEAN tools and principles, 5S, and Six Sigma to eliminate waste</li> <li>Clear demonstration of scaling products from NPI to high volume</li> <li>Strong working knowledge of standard work development, writing, and creation for frontline hourly teams on the shop floor</li> <li>Organized and detail-oriented with excellent verbal & written communication skills</li> <li>Passion for employee development and enjoy the process of training and developing both new hires and veteran production staff</li> <li>Experience supporting process development and optimization</li> <li>Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills</li> <li>Proficient with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project)</li> <li>Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance</li> </ul> <p><strong>PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (engineering, business, or applied science), organizational development, or leadership</li> <li>Lean six sigma green belt certified</li> <li>Working knowledge of AS9100 standards and OSHA laws</li> <li>Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance</li> <li>Experience in small electronic assembly and drones a plus</li> <li>Ability to develop cross functional relationships as a well-respected, trusted partner</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">US Salary Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$111,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$147,000 USD</span></div></div></