Senior Operations Engineering Manager

RED CAT HOLDINGS•Torrance, CA

1d•$132,000 - $183,000•Onsite

About The Position

FlightWave, a wholly owned subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, is seeking an Operations Engineering Manager to lead a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for supporting the manufacturing, test, and sustainment of drone products. This role ensures production readiness, drives continuous improvement, and maintains alignment between engineering and operations to achieve quality, delivery, and cost objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong technical depth with hands-on leadership and thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred)
8 – 12+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing environments
3 – 5+ years of leadership experience managing technical teams
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including electromechanical assembly
Experience with test systems, fixtures, and validation methodologies
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production planning environments
Ability to lift 50lbs
Standing for long periods of time
Ability to work in different environments and heat
This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check.
Qualified candidates with a criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal and state law.
This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Successful candidates for positions subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions must provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence and must not require sponsorship for export-restricted work authorization.
The company participates E-Verify ensure eligibility for employment and compliance with Right to Work rules.

Nice To Haves

Experience with drones, aerospace, or complex electronic systems preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a team of manufacturing, process, test, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers
Set clear priorities, goals, and performance expectations aligned with company objectives
Coach team members on problem-solving, root cause analysis, and engineering best practices
Build cross-functional capability and flexibility within the team
Ensure engineering support for daily production activities, resolving issues impacting throughput, yield, and quality
Drive rapid response to production disruptions, including root cause identification and corrective actions
Partner closely with production, supply chain, and quality teams to meet output targets
Lead development, validation, and optimization of manufacturing processes and work instructions
Drive Lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement efforts (cycle time, scrap reduction, cost savings)
Standardize processes across products and production lines where applicable
Oversee development and maintenance of board-level and system-level test strategies and fixtures
Ensure robust test coverage, data collection, and traceability for all products
Improve test efficiency, reliability, and throughput
Manage engineering changes, product updates, and obsolescence issues
Ensure timely resolution of field and production issues
Maintain product performance, reliability, and manufacturability throughout the product lifecycle
Partner with design engineering to ensure smooth transition of new products into production
Ensure Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) principles are implemented
Lead pilot builds, process validation, and production readiness reviews
Act as the primary interface between operations and engineering teams
Collaborate with supply chain on vendor-related issues and material readiness
Support quality initiatives including audits, corrective actions, and compliance