Operations Manager - UAS Manufacturing

T3i Inc.•San Antonio, TX

12h•$110,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

T3i builds mission-critical unmanned systems designed to improve U.S. forces' operational effectiveness and battlefield lethality. Our Blackfoot UAS platform is a tactical FPV drone system engineered for reliability, adaptability, survivability, and rapid deployment in demanding operational environments. We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead and scale our Blackfoot manufacturing facility in San Antonio, TX. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for all aspects of day-to-day production operations - people, process, quality, and output - as we ramp from early production to full-rate manufacturing in support of U.S. military customers.

Requirements

10+ years of professional experience in related fields, including 5+ years in production-oriented or electro-mechanical technical fields and 3+ years in a supervisory or production operations lead/manager role
Demonstrated success managing production teams in a high-mix, low-volume or NPI manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with Lean manufacturing principles, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies
Ability to read and interpret technical documentation: mechanical drawings, assembly instructions, electrical schematics
Experience with ERP or MES systems for work order and inventory management
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to deliver clear status reports to engineering and leadership
Strong organizational and prioritization skills in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
U.S. Person status required to support ITAR-controlled programs

Nice To Haves

Experience manufacturing small UAS, drones, or defense hardware
Familiarity with electro-mechanical or electronics assembly processes
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering, manufacturing, business, or applied science)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent certification
Working knowledge of AS9100 quality management standards
Experience supporting government or defense contracts and customer deliveries
Active or prior security clearance

Responsibilities

Own day-to-day production operations for the Blackfoot manufacturing facility, including scheduling, work order management, and floor execution
Lead, manage, coach, and develop a team of production technicians; set priorities, ensure accountability, and build a culture of ownership and quality
Drive on-time delivery against production targets; proactively identify and resolve blockers, resource gaps, and process inefficiencies
Enforce and continuously improve quality standards throughout the production process; ensure defects are caught and corrected at the source
Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment; ensure EHS procedures are followed and safety training is current
Implement and sustain Lean/5S practices across the facility; lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and increase throughput
Manage inventory levels and coordinate with supply chain to ensure parts, materials, and components are available and accurately tracked
Operate production management systems (ERP/MES); generate daily and weekly reports on production progress, risks, and needs
Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, supply chain, and program management to support new product introduction (NPI) and engineering change integration
Interpret technical documentation including mechanical drawings, assembly work instructions, and electrical schematics
Support test and acceptance processes to ensure all hardware meets customer and program requirements before delivery