Manager, Production (R4689)
Shield AI
Dallas, TX, USA
USD 100k-160k / year + Equity
Posted on Mar 13, 2026
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
The Production Manager is responsible for the execution, performance, and continuous improvement of VBAT daily production operations. This role leads supervisors and production teams to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while ensuring compliance and customer requirements.
What you'll do:
- Lead daily manufacturing operations across all production departments to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Translate production plans into executable daily and weekly priorities for supervisors and production teams.
- Coordinate staffing, workflow, and resources to maintain efficient and predictable production flow.
- Monitor operational performance and remove barriers that impact schedule attainment and throughput.
- Ensure production activities comply with Shield AI’s AS9100 certified QMS.
- Establish and maintain a stable and disciplined production operating system across departments.
- Ensure consistent execution of manufacturing processes in accordance with documented procedures, travelers, and quality standards.
- Implement structured production management practices including visual management, tiered accountability, and standard work.
- Manage production flow through effective work-in-process control, prioritization, and schedule adherence.
- Lead the implementation of new manufacturing processes, procedures, and operational standards as the production organization grows and matures.
- Standardize production practices across departments to improve repeatability, efficiency, and quality.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Continuous Improvement teams to introduce improved documentation, tooling, and production controls.
- Ensure new processes and standards are effectively implemented, trained, and sustained within production teams.
- Use operational data and KPIs to identify opportunities for improving production performance.
- Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors to strengthen leadership capability within the organization.
- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure appropriate training, certification, and skill development for production personnel.
- Promote effective communication between leadership and frontline teams.
Operations Leadership
Production System Leadership
Process Development & Operational Maturity
People Leadership
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field
- 5–10 years of manufacturing leadership experience
- 3+ years leading supervisors or frontline leaders
Preferred qualifications:
- Previous leadership experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
- Background in complex assemblies
#LI-JM1
#LD
Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
100000 - 160000 USD a year