Senior Director, US Manufacturing Operations (Costa Mesa)

Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

We are looking for a Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead our US manufacturing operations. In this role, you will be responsible for managing a team of highly talented managers, line supervisors, and technicians to manufacture multiple Anduril product lines. This is a highly dynamic role that requires both technical and frontline people management skills. This role is at the forefront of delivering exceptional customer experiences, fostering team development, and overseeing operations at multiple manufacturing site locations. As a Senior Director in the Production organization, you must be a technical leader with the expertise to evaluate, qualify, manage, and advocate for an increasing number of sophisticated parallel pursuits. This role is crucial in ensuring that each manufacturing site and operations align with the company's strategic direction and receive the appropriate resourcing, in addition to balancing innovation with practical execution to drive the business line's manufacturing operational success. Success in this role demands consistent achievement across hardware production, team management, manufacturing operations, and financial goals. The ideal candidate combines technical acumen with 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 scaling innovative products. While individual contributions are valued, teamwork is crucial for achieving the highest level of success.

Please note : This role will be based in our headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA. A successful candidate will be expected to work out of Costa Mesa, CA. Based on eligibility, relocation assistance may be available. There will likely be 0% - 25% travel required for role.

What you'll do :

• Manage technician staff in the production and delivery of our multiple technical products through factory acceptance.
• Collaborate successfully with manufacturing engineering, design engineering, and supply chain to introduce new products.
• Set priorities and direct daily operations to include timely issuing and completion of work orders to the production floor.
• Lead ownership and execution of the hiring plan for the facility's direct workforce.
• 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 manufacturing operations Directors and production managers.
• 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.
• Provide high-level reports to Anduril leadership.
• Be an active participant in 5S and continuous improvement activities.
• Complete transactions in production systems on a daily basis.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure inventory levels are maintained and accurate in each work area.
• Provide weekly reports on production progress, blockers, risks, and needs. Generate daily pass downs and weekly production reports for engineering and operations teams.
• Lead daily communication with cross-functional teams such as engineering, technicians, supply chain, logistics, and quality as necessary.
• Create and maintain high performance and high quality standards among the direct staff of the facility.
• 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.
• Travel between Anduril manufacturing facilities across the continental US is expected to facilitate production scale-up activities.

Required qualifications :

Preferred qualifications :

US Salary Range $214,000 - $321,000 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 :

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. Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.