Head of Production
About The Position
At Senra Systems, we believe that the future of manufacturing lies not in automation, but in configuration. We supercharge electrical wire harness manufacturing through software configuration, transforming skilled assembly tasks into high-throughput production lines. We enable customers to design what they want, when they want it and deliver harness builds at record-breaking speed. Role Overview: We’re seeking a Head of Production to stand up and lead our flagship 100,000 ft² wire harness manufacturing factory in Orange County. This is a cornerstone role — the leader who will establish, scale, and operate our largest and most advanced factory as we grow from ~70 technicians today to over 200 by the end of 2026. You’ll own all aspects of production operations — production, training, machine maintenance, facilities & EHS, and production control, with a mandate to build a high-accountability, high-performing organization that delivers both precision and scale. The ideal candidate is a seasoned manufacturing leader who thrives in fast-paced hybrid high-mix, high-volume environments and has a track record of building high-performing, scalable teams, processes, and systems from the ground up.
Requirements
- 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, ideally in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability, high-mix industries.
- 8+ years of experience as a manufacturing, industrial, or operations engineer.
- Proven success standing up or scaling a large factory from early-stage to steady-state operations.
- Deep understanding of operations and production planning, quality systems, material flow, and team development.
- Demonstrated ability to design and execute training, certification, and progression programs tied to measurable outcomes.
- Strong business acumen — able to balance output, cost, and quality while building for long-term scalability.
- Excellent leadership presence: decisive, transparent, and grounded in integrity.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in avionics systems, wire harnessing, or soft goods manufacturing highly desired.
Responsibilities
- Factory Bring-Up
- Own the stand-up and commissioning of Senra’s new Orange County factory — drive contractor execution, layout build-out, and an aggressive schedule to get the site fully operational by Q2.
- Lead the personnel transition plan, coordinating the phased move of technicians and leadership from Factory 1 to Factory 2 to ensure business continuity.
- Partner with Engineering on layout and workflow design to optimize flow, throughput, and space utilization.
- Build the operational foundation to support both high-mix, low-volume and high-volume production for aerospace and defense customers.
- Establish a replicable playbook that makes this site the model for future factory expansion.
- Operations Leadership
- Set production goals, staffing plans, and throughput targets to meet on-time delivery, quality, and revenue objectives. Drive improvements through disciplined planning and continuous improvement.
- Implement and sustain daily management systems, KPIs, and standard work across all departments.
- People & Culture
- Build, develop, and lead a team of 200+ technicians and leaders, the majority of whom are early-stage career technicians advancing through structured training programs.
- Partner with the People team to implement robust, quantifiable apprentice training and qualification systems to ensure consistent skill growth and product quality.
- Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and high performance — where expectations are clear, ownership is felt, and success is shared.
- Develop and mentor emerging leaders to ensure depth of leadership bench as the site scales.
- Systems & Process Development
- Partner with Software and Manufacturing Engineering to implement and enhance enterprise systems to meet production needs.
- Build and standardize core processes — production control, materials flow, maintenance, training — that can scale and replicate across future factories.
- Ensure compliance with AS9100, ISO, and customer-specific requirements through robust process control and documentation.
Benefits
- Unmatched opportunities to drive impact on a friendly and mission-driven team
- Own a piece of the pie with equity participation!
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Spending Account (DSA) for health-related expenses
- Unlimited PTO and a 401(k) plan
- Choose a record you love, and we’ll add it to our growing vinyl collection!
- $50/month DoorDash credit – lunch is on us!
- Up to $100/month reimbursement for gym memberships
- Fully stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages
- Regular team-building events, lunches, and the occasional breakfast burrito!
- Bright, open office with communal spaces for collaboration and free parking
- Conveniently located near the metro, major freeways and local dining spots
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
