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Astrolab

Production Supervisor

Astrolab, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250

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Production Supervisor

Department:

Production & Test

Employment Type:

Full Time

Location:

Hawthorne, California

Reporting To:

Clint Ross

Compensation:

$135,000 - $170,000 / year

Description

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity's presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world-class team.

We are seeking a highly driven Production Supervisor to lead production and launch site operations that will oversee end-to-end manufacturing, integration, and launch operations for our cutting-edge lunar rover program. This role will lead all production floor activities, coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, ensure readiness for launch campaigns, and manage the operational infrastructure required to deliver mission-critical hardware on time and to the highest quality standards.

The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of aerospace manufacturing, systems integration, and launch logistics, with a proven ability to project manage and lead teams in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

What you'll do:

Production & Integration Management • Oversee daily production operations, including machining, assembly, integration, and upstream testing of lunar rover hardware • Ensure adherence to manufacturing schedules, quality standards, and safety regulations • Coordinate with engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance to resolve technical issues rapidly • Implement Lean/6S manufacturing principles to optimize efficiency and reduce waste • Maintain adherence to AS9100 standards • Balance development initiatives with production goals

Launch Site Operations • Planning and coordination of flight article transportation, staging, and launch preparation • Oversee ground support equipment (GSE) readiness and allocation • Coordinate launch campaign activities with mission control, range operations, and logistics partners • Manage coordination and team execution at the launch site, including coordination with the launch provider, setup planning, staffing, and compliance with safety protocols

Team Leadership & Coordination • Direct cross-functional teams, including production technicians, avionics, test engineers, and launch crews • Foster a safety-first culture and enforce workplace safety policies • Mentor and train staff to develop operational excellence and mission readiness skills

Operational Planning & Reporting • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for production and launch readiness • Manage budgets, staffing plans, and resource allocation for both production and launch site operations • Provide regular updates to senior leadership on schedule, risks, and mitigation strategies

What you'll bring:

Required • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Aerospace Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience) • 7+ years of experience in aerospace, spacecraft, or high-tech manufacturing operations • Proven leadership in production, integration, and/or launch site management. • Strong knowledge of aerospace hardware handling, cleanroom operations, industry standard manufacturing processes, and flight hardware verification • Experience with Lean manufacturing, 6S, and continuous improvement methods. • Exceptional communication and cross-team coordination skills

Preferred • Experience with lunar surface mission hardware or robotic rover systems • Familiarity with launch site operations and coordination with space launch providers • PMP or similar project management certification • Experience with taking a product through development to NPI production

What we offer: Work with a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration Ownership in the company Medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) with matching Flexible time off and parental leave On-site snacks, beverages, and 2x weekly lunches Flexible work environment