Energy Jobline ZR
Senior Director of Production Engineering
Energy Jobline ZR, Mukilteo, Washington, United States, 98275
SUMMARY
The Senior Director of Production Engineering leads the Program and Engineering strategy and execution for all production and manufacturing processes across the organization. This role is responsible for ensuring that program and engineering support for manufacturing is robust, efficient, and aligned with operational and quality goals. This includes leadership of process engineering, manufacturing readiness, tooling, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
ABOUT US Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Medical, Dental, Vision
Company Paid Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
WHAT YOU WILL DO Program Leadership
Establish department goals, KPIs, and resource plans to meet delivery, quality, cost, and compliance objectives
Define and execute the production engineering roadmap in support of company objectives for quality, cost, delivery, and compliance
Align engineering capabilities and resources with current and future production needs (including ramp-up of new programs)
Drive standardization, automation, and scalability across production engineering disciplines
Program & Product Manufacturing Oversight
Support capture and proposal efforts for new business opportunities, including technical strategy, work breakdown, resource planning, and cost estimation
Oversee the design, development, and implementation of production processes, jigs/fixtures, and work instructions
Ensure new product introductions (NPIs) are production-ready through proactive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) practices
Team & People Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, supervisors, directors and technical staff
Build a high-performance culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation
Identify and address skills gaps; ensure training, tools, and development resources are in place
Risk & Compliance Management
Identify and mitigate program risks and issues proactively, applying structured risk management processes
Ensure compliance with all customers, contractual, export control (ITAR/EAR), and regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, DoD standards)
Support internal and external audits, customer reviews, and program milestones (e.g., PDR, CDR, TRR)
Stakeholder Engagement
Partner closely with design engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations to enable smooth and scalable manufacturing transitions
Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to process and production issues
Interface with program management and customers to support technical reviews and production milestones
Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, improve yield, and optimize throughput
Support capital investment planning for production technology and infrastructure upgrades
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering or related field (Master’s)
15+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-complexity manufacturing environments
7+ years in a senior leadership role managing production/manufacturing engineering teams
Demonstrated success in leading production readiness, process improvement, and cross-functional integration
Strong knowledge of aerospace industry standards (AS9100, NADCAP, MIL-STDs, etc.)
Experience with ERP, PLM, and digital manufacturing systems
Exceptional leadership and team-building skills
Deep expertise in DFM/DFA, lean manufacturing, and production ramp-up
Strong project management and execution discipline
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, regulated, and technically demanding environment
Defense program experience with DoD requirements or ITAR/EAR compliance
Hands-on experience in low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production (FRP) transitions
Familiarity with composites, machining, additive manufacturing, or advanced assembly processes
Must be a U.S. citizen, ability to obtain SECRET Clearance
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to, genetic information, childbirth, or related medical conditions, citizenship status, uniform servicemember status, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
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ABOUT US Karman Space & Defense provides concept-to-production solutions for mission-critical systems on spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, hypersonics, and integrated defense systems. We believe that solving the industry’s most complex and mission-critical challenges requires relentless determination and a willingness to push the boundaries of possibility. Karman Space & Defense brings to bear unparalleled production capabilities, unmatched engineering expertise, and unflinching analysis to render the impossible, possible.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Medical, Dental, Vision
Company Paid Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement
WHAT YOU WILL DO Program Leadership
Establish department goals, KPIs, and resource plans to meet delivery, quality, cost, and compliance objectives
Define and execute the production engineering roadmap in support of company objectives for quality, cost, delivery, and compliance
Align engineering capabilities and resources with current and future production needs (including ramp-up of new programs)
Drive standardization, automation, and scalability across production engineering disciplines
Program & Product Manufacturing Oversight
Support capture and proposal efforts for new business opportunities, including technical strategy, work breakdown, resource planning, and cost estimation
Oversee the design, development, and implementation of production processes, jigs/fixtures, and work instructions
Ensure new product introductions (NPIs) are production-ready through proactive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) practices
Team & People Leadership
Lead, develop, and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, supervisors, directors and technical staff
Build a high-performance culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation
Identify and address skills gaps; ensure training, tools, and development resources are in place
Risk & Compliance Management
Identify and mitigate program risks and issues proactively, applying structured risk management processes
Ensure compliance with all customers, contractual, export control (ITAR/EAR), and regulatory requirements (e.g., FAA, DoD standards)
Support internal and external audits, customer reviews, and program milestones (e.g., PDR, CDR, TRR)
Stakeholder Engagement
Partner closely with design engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations to enable smooth and scalable manufacturing transitions
Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to process and production issues
Interface with program management and customers to support technical reviews and production milestones
Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, improve yield, and optimize throughput
Support capital investment planning for production technology and infrastructure upgrades
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering or related field (Master’s)
15+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or high-complexity manufacturing environments
7+ years in a senior leadership role managing production/manufacturing engineering teams
Demonstrated success in leading production readiness, process improvement, and cross-functional integration
Strong knowledge of aerospace industry standards (AS9100, NADCAP, MIL-STDs, etc.)
Experience with ERP, PLM, and digital manufacturing systems
Exceptional leadership and team-building skills
Deep expertise in DFM/DFA, lean manufacturing, and production ramp-up
Strong project management and execution discipline
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, regulated, and technically demanding environment
Defense program experience with DoD requirements or ITAR/EAR compliance
Hands-on experience in low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production (FRP) transitions
Familiarity with composites, machining, additive manufacturing, or advanced assembly processes
Must be a U.S. citizen, ability to obtain SECRET Clearance
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Karman is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to, genetic information, childbirth, or related medical conditions, citizenship status, uniform servicemember status, or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law. Our management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr