Production Specialist (SME)

X-Bow Systems•Luling, TX

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Specialist (SME) serves as a subject matter expert in solid rocket motor (SRM) manufacturing and production execution, supporting production-system development, readiness, ramp-up, and sustainment. The role provides hands-on expertise across the SRM production value stream and integrates with Production Program Management, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, Material Program Management, Configuration Management, Tooling, Facilities, and Engineering. The specialist evaluates whether processes, facilities, equipment, tooling, materials, documentation, personnel, and supporting systems can safely and consistently meet program production requirements. This position is based onsite in Luling, Texas, with a schedule of 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The role requires a strong production-floor presence to identify constraints, develop practical solutions, mentor production personnel, and drive cross-functional actions that support production readiness and delivery commitments.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and 10+ years of relevant aerospace, defense, propulsion, energetic materials, manufacturing, or production experience; or an associate's degree and 8+ years of relevant manufacturing experience; or a bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, Operations, Engineering, or a related discipline and 5+ years of relevant manufacturing experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting complex manufacturing or assembly operations.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production flow, tooling, equipment, work instructions, and shop-floor execution.
Experience identifying and resolving production constraints.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material, manufacturing work instructions, and configuration-controlled documentation.
Ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain organizations.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and provide technical manufacturing guidance to production teams.
Ability and willingness to maintain a strong presence in active manufacturing environments.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations to conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR.

Responsibilities

Serve as a production subject matter expert across the SRM value stream, from development and production readiness through rate ramp and full-rate production.
Evaluate production readiness and manufacturability, including processes, personnel, materials, tooling, equipment, facilities, quality controls, and safety requirements.
Support Production Readiness Reviews (PRRs) by identifying readiness gaps, production constraints, risks, and required actions, and driving issues toward resolution.
Develop and optimize production value streams by identifying bottlenecks, capacity constraints, material-flow issues, and opportunities to improve cycle time, throughput, scalability, and performance.
Support rate and capacity planning, including cycle-time assessments, staffing, equipment and tooling needs, work-center layouts, production sequencing, and ramp strategies.
Work on the production floor with technicians, supervisors, and engineers to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and implement practical, sustainable solutions.
Provide manufacturing expertise during process and engineering changes, nonconformances, root-cause investigations, and production recovery activities.
Partner with Production Program Management, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain/MPM, Configuration Management, Tooling, Facilities, and Engineering to resolve production constraints.
Support development and implementation of standardized production systems, including standard work, production controls, visual management, 5S, material control, and tool accountability.
Mentor technicians and production personnel and support qualification, cross-training, workforce capability, and documentation of manufacturing best practices.
Identify and escalate safety, quality, cost, schedule, capacity, and throughput risks before they affect production commitments.
Drive continuous improvement to increase safety, quality, repeatability, manufacturability, throughput, and production efficiency.