Director of Production, Optics

Anduril • Waltham, MA

2d

About The Position

The Director of Production, Optics owns production outcomes for Optics across the Imaging Business Line, which builds precision optical assemblies for advanced defense systems. The role combines frontline technical leadership with people management, with accountability for the team, output, and operational health of the optical production value stream. Success involves developing the team and consistently delivering on time, to quality and cost targets, while continuously improving execution of mission-critical optical products.

The Director owns production planning and strategy across Imaging product lines, including ramp plans, headcount, and establishing new manufacturing lines, and develops a long-term strategy to scale production to full-rate production. The role leads production staff and cross-functional teams, including Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering, and manages daily and weekly production execution across optical assembly lines and the supporting supply base.

The position oversees optical assembly, test, and delivery; manages end-to-end value stream flow from supplier material deliveries through assembly, test, and shipment; and drives resolution of bottlenecks and root causes. It establishes KPIs for financial performance, quality, and on-time delivery, advances production processes and digital systems such as PLM, ERP, MES, and QMS, and ensures quality and safety in clean room and optical assembly environments. The Director also leads continuous improvement initiatives and communicates production status, risks, and resource needs to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in optical or complex electro-mechanical production.
• 3+ years in senior production leadership.
• Demonstrated experience standing up, scaling, and managing production of optical assemblies, precision hardware, or imaging systems.
• Working knowledge of optical assembly processes, clean room manufacturing environments, and optical test and inspection methods.
• Expertise with ERP, MRP, and MES systems.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing, new product introduction (NPI), and engineering change orders (ECOs).
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, including drawings, schematics, and work instructions, and troubleshoot processes and equipment.
• Demonstrated success in employee development, coaching, and mentorship.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or adjacent industries.

Responsibilities

• Own production outcomes across Optics production and Imaging product lines, including ramp plans, headcount, and establishing new manufacturing lines.
• Develop and execute a long-term strategy to scale production volumes to full-rate production.
• Lead production teams and resources, and hold cross-functional teams accountable for production demands, deadlines, and goals.
• Drive processes and systems throughout the product development lifecycle to mature products for full-rate production.
• Establish and manage KPIs for financial performance, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Oversee optical product-line production, including assembly, test, and delivery of imaging and optical hardware.
• Drive daily and weekly production execution across optical assembly lines and the supporting supply base, owning delivery, cost, and quality outcomes.
• Manage visibility and flow across the end-to-end value stream, from supplier material deliveries through assembly, test, and shipment.
• Identify bottlenecks, drive root-cause resolution, and implement improvements to increase throughput and reduce cycle time.
• Advise on and oversee implementation of digital production technologies, including PLM, ERP, MES, and QMS systems.
• Shape corporate tools and processes to support aerospace production needs.
• Ensure quality and safety standards are followed in clean room and optical assembly environments.
• Lead 5S, Lean manufacturing, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on production status, risks, and resource needs.
• Facilitate collaboration with engineering, supply chain, quality, and program management.
• Develop, coach, and mentor employees.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers.
• Top-tier benefits for full-time employees, described as comprehensive and competitive and available at little to no cost to employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director