Director of Production (R4782)

Shield AI•Dallas, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Shield AI is seeking a Director of Production to lead its U.S.-based manufacturing operations and help scale the future of autonomous defense systems. This role will drive execution across factory floor operations, partner cross-functionally with quality, engineering, and supply chain teams, and ensure production systems are ready for future demands. The ideal candidate is a bold, hands-on leader who can inspire teams, architect production systems, and scale operations with intensity, precision, and a clear mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or related field; Master’s preferred.
10+ years of production leadership in advanced manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, or similar).
Proven experience building and scaling a manufacturing operation.
5+ years leading large teams in high-precision, high-throughput settings.
Success managing complex outsourced manufacturing or tiered vendor ecosystems.
Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies—and a passion for driving results through them.
Exceptional communicator, able to navigate executive-level reporting and cross-functional alignment.
A systems thinker with hands-on grit, capable of zooming between strategic planning and operational execution.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Architect and execute forward-looking production plans that balance scale, agility, and quality—all while meeting demanding cost and delivery goals.
Drive aircraft production capabilities, implementing systems, processes, and staffing to support rapid growth.
Lead high-performance teams across production operations, driving excellence through clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
Collaborate deeply with quality, engineering, supply chain, and customer operations to integrate design, sourcing, and production workflows.
Champion continuous improvement across every dimension of production: throughput, takt, quality, and cost.
Embed data-driven decision-making into daily operations using KPI dashboards, metrics reviews, and operational cadences.
Drive the adoption of automation, digitization, and advanced manufacturing methods to future-proof our operations.
Serve as a trusted voice to executive leadership—reporting insights, flagging risks, and translating complexity into action.