Supervisor, Manufacturing Operations

Virgin Galactic • Gilbert, AZ

5d • $80,855 - $123,342 • Onsite

About The Position

Virgin Galactic is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Supervisor to lead and support vehicle and rocket motor manufacturing teams. The role focuses on leading rocket motor and spaceship fabrication and assembly while promoting safety, quality, production efficiency, and financial performance. The supervisor refines production flow, equipment, and tools to create an efficient, organized, lean factory; organizes daily work to meet manufacturing milestones; and drives performance against the manufacturing plan. Success requires collaboration across planning, scheduling, demand, and assembly functions to identify the tooling, materials, resources, planning, and product definition needed to move work from paper to production.

The position is currently onsite Monday through Friday on the day shift, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Potential future schedules include onsite Monday through Friday nights, 4:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., or onsite Thursday through Monday days, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company developing advanced air and space vehicles to provide private individuals and researchers with human spaceflight. The role operates in a safety-critical manufacturing environment and requires compliance with U.S. export requirements. Applicants must meet the stated U.S. Person or export authorization conditions and must not be on the specified OFAC list. Employment is also subject to the company’s drug-free workplace policies. Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility employment requires obtaining and maintaining a TSA-authorized security badge and completing required background checks.

Requirements

• Relevant education such as trade school or an associate degree, and/or equivalent technical work experience.
• At least six years of experience in aerospace or an equivalent high-reliability field.
• Three years of experience leading others and/or demonstrated ability to lead and train others on technical concepts.
• Experience with aircraft manufacturing involving composite and/or metallic airframes.
• Experience assembling, integrating, and handling large products, including large tight-tolerance structures.
• Extensive experience and/or training in lean manufacturing principles and leading or participating in process-improvement workshops.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and/or models, on paper or digitally.
• Demonstrated computer and analytical skills, including proficiency with MS Excel, manufacturing software or related programs, and dashboards.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must meet the stated U.S. government export eligibility or authorization requirements and not be included on the specified OFAC list.
• For employment at the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, ability to obtain and maintain a TSA-authorized security badge and complete required background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Airframe & Power plant (A&P) training.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing (Kaizen/Six Sigma) philosophies and tools.
• Working knowledge of configuration management practices and quality management processes.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering models, drawings, specifications, and written or digital work.
• Strong analytical skills and commercial acumen to assess the potential impact of decisions.
• Ability to ensure effective collaboration across teams.
• Ability to work independently and cross-functionally.
• Ability to set clear objectives and milestones.
• Clear and transparent communication.
• Strong safety-forward leadership, good housekeeping, tool control, and appropriate handling of hazardous materials and chemicals.
• Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE).

Responsibilities

• Assign daily tasks to shop leads and staff to meet or exceed milestones and productivity goals.
• Lead and manage a team of technicians, including performance management and team development.
• Oversee spaceship and rocket motor component assembly from start to completion in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Influence technical projects, technicians, or interdepartmental functions to achieve goals and solve problems.
• Continuously improve procedures, processes, and efficiencies.
• Promote safety behavior and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) awareness and prevention, and ensure adherence to regulatory protocols and rules.
• Coach, train, and transfer expertise to the team to drive projects to completion.
• Work closely with Build Management to forecast completion dates and provide day-to-day updates.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Design, and Quality Engineers to ensure vehicles meet design and quality standards.
• Prioritize work based on the production schedule, organizational goals, and metrics.
• Apply general knowledge of composite and similar manufacturing skills to produce a high-performing hybrid rocket.
• Use manufacturing software to manage the material and product review process.
• Refine production flow, equipment, and tools to create an efficient, organized, lean factory.
• Identify tooling, materials, resources, planning, and product definition needs to support the build schedule and transition work from paper to production.

Benefits

• The compensation package may include a bonus or long-term incentive, in addition to medical, financial, and other benefits; specific benefits depend on the position offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree