Manufacturing Operations Manager, Small Drones

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Santa Ana
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

ABOUT THE TEAM The Manufacturing team is responsible for a wide range of activities that are crucial to the manufacturing process including operating equipment, assembling products, performing quality control checks, and maintaining a safe and efficient work environment. ABOUT THE JOB We are seeking a Manager of Manufacturing Operations for Precision Engagement Systems to join our manufacturing team at Anduril. Here you will work on cutting-edge technology aimed at advancing the state-of-the-possible. The Manager of Manufacturing Operations will manage a team of highly talented technicians to produce multiple platforms of hardware for strategic military and commercial customers. This is a highly dynamic role that requires both frontline technical and people management skills. The Manager of Manufacturing Operations is at the forefront of delivering exceptional customer experiences, fostering team development, and overseeing day-to-day vehicle delivery operations. Success in this role demands consistent achievement across customer satisfaction, team management, operations, and financial goals The ideal candidate will have aircraft new product introduction (NPI) experience. The ideal candidate combines technical acumen for effective communication, strong time-management skills, and a passion for leading transformative change. The ideal candidate should be energetic, highly organized, and deeply committed to sustainable energy. While individual contributions are valued, teamwork is crucial for achieving the highest level of success. WHAT YOU’LL DO Manage technician staff in the production and delivery of various hardware through factory acceptance. You will have the critical task of managing the priorities, equipment, and people associated with the production line Set priorities and direct daily operations to include timely issuing and completion of work orders to the production floor Ensure all operators are following safety procedures and their teams' safety training is current, documenting EHS incidents, correcting proactively workplace hazards in the areas, and empowering others to continuously improve operations Manage, coach, mentor and support production technicians Prioritize work activities for operators to achieve target on time delivery goals Ensure quality standards are being met throughout the entire production process and support no defects from leaving a station or team area Be able to provide high level reports out to Production Managers, Directors, and Head of Manufacturing as needed. Be an active participant in 5S and continuous improvement activities Complete transactions in production systems (NetSuite / JIRA Anduril MES) on daily basis Work cross functionally to ensure inventory levels are maintained and accurate in each work area Provide weekly report out of production progress, blockers, risks, needs. Generate daily pass downs and weekly production reports for engineering and operations team Lead daily communication with cross functional team such as engineering, technicians, supply chain, logistics, and quality as necessary Build a positive and collaborative team culture that promotes product knowledge, skills development, and X-training Show up every day with a high level of urgency and enthusiasm to get the job done REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 7 years experience in production-oriented or electro-mechanical technician fields with at least 3 years in a supervisor or production operations lead/manager role in a high volume production environment Experience working with ERP and MES systems A full understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principals, and change management (ECOs) Can interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specs, electrical schematics, etc.) Extremely reliable, organized and detail-oriented with excellent verbal & written communication skills You have a passion for employee development and enjoy the process of training and developing both new hires and veteran production staff Have proven skills in both process and equipment troubleshooting, allowing you to easily adapt to constantly changing production environments Experience supporting process development Knowledge of 5S, lean manufacturing or 6-Sigma principles Excellent written and verbal communication skills Proficient with MS office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project) Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export controlled information or facilities PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Aircraft new product introduction (NPI) experience Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (engineering, business, or applied science) Lean six sigma green belt certified Working knowledge of AS9100 standards and OSHA laws Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance Experience in small electronic assembly and drones a plus Ability to develop cross functional relationships as a well-respected, trusted partner US Salary Range $129,000 - $193,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Healthcare Benefits US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you. UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents. IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents. Additional Benefits Income Protection : Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees. Generous time off : Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs. Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting. Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available. Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region. Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility. Retirement Savings Plan US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options. UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match. AUS Roles: Superannuation plan. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. Please always verify communications: Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com . Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ .

Keywords: Anduril Industries, Hacienda Heights , Manufacturing Operations Manager, Small Drones, Manufacturing , Santa Ana, California