Production and Operations Manager
About The Position
Shift5 is redefining the future of onboard operational technology (OT). As a fast-growing scale-up, we specialize in cutting-edge cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, and compliance for OT systems across defense, aerospace, and rail. We are a team of passionate, innovative professionals who thrive in a collaborative environment, driven by a shared mission to revolutionize how fleets operate. By unlocking and democratizing the vast potential of onboard OT data, we help our customers’ fleets run smarter, safer, and more efficiently. Ready to be part of the next frontier in transportation and critical infrastructure? Come join us. Our Values: Mission First Mindset: We exist to protect the service members who defend our nation and secure the critical systems that keep our economy moving. Relentless Innovation: We are motivated by the challenge of solving the toughest problems facing transportation and defense industries. Data Driven Decisions: We make decisions rooted in data. Giving our team and stakeholders a more informed perspective possible when lives and missions are on the line. We are seeking a highly motivated and versatile Production & Manufacturing Operations Lead to lead our low-volume, high-complexity assembly operations for aerospace and defense electronic assemblies (PCBAs, wiring harnesses, box builds). This role is the central hub of our manufacturing process, responsible for hands-on execution of planning, supply chain verification, quality control, and ensuring complete compliance with industry standards. This role is based at our HQ office in Rosslyn, VA. The successful candidate must be a self-starter comfortable wearing multiple hats in a fast-paced startup environment, driving continuous improvement and establishing robust processes from the ground up. You'll collaborate with Engineering, Finance, and other interdisciplinary teams to optimize assembly methods, manage inventory, negotiate with suppliers, and ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and meet all reliability and safety factors. Experience in an AS9100 certified environment is highly valued. If you are a self-motivated individual who thrives on innovation and making a significant impact in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.
Requirements
- Education: Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing) or a related field.
- Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior specialist role within the Aerospace, Defense, or high-reliability Electronics sector.
- QMS Expertise: Demonstrated practical experience and in-depth knowledge of Quality Management Systems, including AS9100 or ISO 9001, and managing compliance activities.
- Regulatory Compliance: Practical knowledge of compliance requirements, including the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), ITAR, and export control regulations.
- System Proficiency: Proven experience establishing and managing production data in an ERP/MES system (setting routings, BOMs, work orders, production control).
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage complex data and communicate effectively across all departments (Engineering, Supply Chain, and Executive).
Nice To Haves
- Expert-level familiarity with relevant IPC standards for PCBAs (e.g., IPC-A-610) and Wiring Harnesses (e.g., IPC/WHMA-A-620).
- Familiarity with Aerospace and Military defense industrial standards such as MIL-STD-130, MIL-DTL-23053, A-A-59569, 01-1A-505-1, etc.
- Experience with specific ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Plex).
- Experience with low-volume, high-mix electronics assembly and cable assemblies.
Responsibilities
- Production Planning & Execution
- Establish and maintain all Master Production Schedules (MPS) and detailed work schedules in the ERP/MES system.
- Establish and document work routings and Bills of Materials (BOMs) within the ERP/MES to ensure accurate resource allocation and traceability by generating manufacturing / production BOMs based on engineering releases & engineering change orders.
- Manage Work-In-Process (WIP) and production flow, coordinating with Engineering to resolve roadblocks.
- Generate Work orders / travels for builds and kitting / staging components and documentation for those builds.
- Oversee and conduct final inspections of completed builds and work order close out (verify for completeness, labor hour allocation, close out of any non-conformances, etc.)
- Monitor production output and metrics (e.g., cycle time, adherence to schedule) and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Supply Chain & Materials Management
- Assist with the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) process to ensure timely procurement and staging of materials.
- Perform supply chain verification for critical aerospace components, ensuring documentation and certification (e.g., CoCs) meet contractual and regulatory requirements including Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance.
- Coordinate logistics for incoming materials and finished goods, and supply chain team for ensuring inventory accuracy and control.
- Quality Assurance & Compliance (QMS)
- Serve as the primary internal contact for maintaining compliance with relevant Quality Management Systems, specifically AS9100 and ISO 9001.
- Oversee and conduct incoming inspections of critical materials and components, ensuring compliance with specifications.
- Establish and monitor in-process testing and final acceptance testing procedures, ensuring all assemblies meet performance and quality standards.
- Ensure all assembly processes adhere strictly to industry-specific standards, including IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies).
- People & Process Leadership
- Define and document all assembly, testing, and inspection processes for efficient knowledge transfer and quality control.
- Lead and, as the company grows, potentially hire and train production technicians and assemblers and quality inspectors.
- Drive a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma principles).
Benefits
- Bonus program and equity in a fast-growing startup
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
- Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
- Employer-paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Uncapped paid time off policy
- Flexible work & remote work policy
- Tax-deferred public transit benefits with Metro SmartBenefits (DC/MD/VA)
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
Associate degree
