Director of Manufacturing & Site Launch

Allen Control Systems•Austin, TX

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a cutting-edge defense startup, founded by two ex-Navy electrical engineers with a proven track record in robotics and software. We are developing a small, autonomous gun turret that employs advanced computer vision and control systems to precisely target and neutralize small drones and loitering munitions. Our innovative approach requires overcoming significant technical challenges, making this an exciting and dynamic environment for experienced engineers. With an engineering-first culture, ACS values technical excellence and innovation. Backed by our founders' successful exits from two previous ventures acquired for a combined $180M in 2022, we are committed to ensuring that the groundbreaking technologies we develop will have a real-world impact. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced manufacturing leader to support the scale-up of Allen Control Systems’ production operations under the direction of the VP of Manufacturing. This role will initially be based in Austin, Texas, where you will play a key leadership role in scaling current manufacturing operations to medium-volume production while building the systems, processes, and operational foundation for future expansion. As ACS grows, this role will serve as the manufacturing lead for the planning, build-out, and launch of a new production facility in Cullman, Alabama. Following successful site launch and operational ramp-up, this position is expected to transition to Cullman to provide on-site manufacturing leadership for long-term operations. This is a hands-on scale-up leadership role for someone experienced in manufacturing execution, facility launch, process development, and production transfer in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Requirements

Experience scaling manufacturing operations from prototype / low-rate production into medium- or high-volume production environments.
Experience launching or significantly expanding manufacturing facilities, including equipment deployment, process validation, and production ramp.
Experience leading production transfers or multi-site manufacturing operations.
Strong operational leadership with the ability to execute in fast-paced startup or scale-up manufacturing environments.
Willingness to initially work in Austin, Texas and transition to Cullman, Alabama as manufacturing operations scale.

Responsibilities

Support Austin Manufacturing Scale-Up: Work with the VP of Manufacturing to scale ACS’s Austin production operations from early production to stable medium-volume output, improving throughput, quality, and operational discipline.
Lead Cullman Facility Launch: Serve as the manufacturing lead for the planning, build-out, equipment installation, process validation, and launch of ACS’s future manufacturing facility in Cullman, Alabama.
Develop Production Transfer Strategy: Create and execute the roadmap for transferring products, tooling, documentation, and manufacturing processes from Austin to Cullman with minimal production disruption.
Build Scalable Manufacturing Systems: Establish production processes, work instructions, training systems, quality controls, and manufacturing operating rhythms that can scale across facilities.
Facility & Equipment Readiness: Partner on facility layout, line design, equipment selection, commissioning, and manufacturing readiness activities for the Cullman site.
Workforce Ramp & Team Development: Support hiring, onboarding, and development of manufacturing teams in both Austin and Cullman, including eventual site leadership build-out.
Cross-Functional Manufacturing Leadership: Work closely with engineering, supply chain, quality, and operations teams to ensure manufacturability, production readiness, and successful scale-up.
Production Execution & Continuous Improvement: Drive daily manufacturing performance through Lean principles, bottleneck reduction, cost control, and operational discipline.