Production Progam Manager, Optics

Anduril • Waltham, MA

1d

About The Position

The Optics Production Program Manager supports the Director of Optics Production and plays a critical role in scaling and sustaining production of precision optical assemblies for advanced defense systems. The role owns the execution rhythm across internal and external value streams, driving tasking, coordination, and accountability so production plans result in delivered hardware. The manager works with engineering, supply chain, quality, and production teams, internally and with manufacturing partners, to keep complex optical production programs on track.

The position requires strong project management discipline, working knowledge of optical supply chains and production, and consistent follow-through across multiple concurrent workstreams. Responsibilities span production execution, supplier coordination, special projects, resource and cost management, and reporting and risk escalation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in production or operations program management, project management, or manufacturing coordination within optical assembly, precision manufacturing, or an adjacent industry.
• Strong project management skills and a track record of driving cross-functional action items to timely closure.
• Ability to coordinate complex schedules across internal manufacturing and external vendors while holding multiple parties accountable.
• Working knowledge of optical assembly processes, clean room environments, or precision electro-mechanical manufacturing.
• Strong command of ERP/MRP systems for production scheduling and material planning.
• Excellent communication, organization, and follow-through.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Defense or aerospace experience is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Jira, Smartsheet, or MS Project.

Responsibilities

• Drive initiatives across the optical production value stream that support production and growth objectives, improving production efficiency, scalability, and cost effectiveness.
• Assign tasks, set deadlines, track completion, hold internal teams and external vendors accountable, and run regular follow-up cadences.
• Track build schedules and work-in-process, coordinate across teams to resolve blockers, and support the Director of Production in maintaining the operating plan.
• Coordinate external optical suppliers with internal supply and production teams to manage material flow, delivery performance, action closure, and issue resolution.
• Track multi-tier supplier schedules, manage expedites, escalate shortages, and drive vendors to meet production requirements.
• Lead internal special projects such as production line moves, capacity expansion, vertical integration, new tooling or fixture introductions, process qualification, and other cross-functional initiatives.
• Coordinate engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and program leadership to communicate and address design changes, quality escapes, supplier issues, and capacity shifts.
• Manage transactional material flow across multi-tiered supply and coordinate accurate cost accounting and price visibility with finance.
• Ensure appropriate allocation of materials, labor, and equipment to meet production goals; monitor project budgets and progress and focus on solving problems that improve the bottom line.
• Maintain production dashboards tracking on-time delivery, open actions, supplier performance, and work order status.
• Identify production schedule risks early, propose mitigations, and ensure transparency across programs.

Benefits

• Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers.
• Top-tier benefits package 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: Mid Level