Director, Advanced Manufacturing

Director of Advanced Manufacturing

The Director of Advanced Manufacturing will develop and execute the organization's enterprise-wide advanced manufacturing strategy to enable rapid growth, strengthen U.S. national security, and deliver into marquee missile defense programs. This leader will drive innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence by leveraging emerging technologies, automation, and digital transformation. The role requires a proven visionary who can stand up new production sites, scale advanced systems across facilities, and ensure strict compliance with defense and aerospace requirements. The ideal candidate will collaborate across departments to integrate advanced manufacturing solutions into the company's supply chain, production, and product development.

Key Responsibilities :

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and implement a comprehensive advanced manufacturing roadmap aligned with enterprise growth objectives.
• Lead multi-site strategy, including standing up new production lines and facilities to support growth and defense program demand.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure competitive advantage and readiness.
• Champion the transformation of production processes through automation and Industry 4.0 adoption.
• Technology Implementation
• Identify, evaluate, and integrate advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, data analytics, and smart factory solutions.
• Oversee deployment of Industry 4.0 practices (IoT, machine learning, digital twins).
• Lead the transition from traditional processes to state-of-the-art, compliant, and mission-ready systems.
• Operational Excellence
• Drive lean and continuous improvement initiatives; Shingijutsu experience or equivalent highly desirable.
• Optimize production processes to increase throughput, reduce downtime, and minimize waste.
• Establish system lifecycle management and predictive maintenance for deployed automation.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, and DoD regulations, as well as environmental and safety standards.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration
• Build and lead a high-performing advanced manufacturing team that combines innovation with execution rigor.
• Partner with Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, and Operations to align manufacturing capabilities with product design and enterprise growth.
• Serve as the enterprise thought leader for advanced manufacturing, influencing executive decisions and capital planning.
• Metrics & Reporting
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for advanced manufacturing success.
• Provide regular reports and strategic updates to executive leadership, highlighting progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Vendor & Partner Management
• Build relationships with technology vendors, academic partners, and defense primes to maintain a leadership position in advanced manufacturing.
• Oversee procurement, contract negotiations, and deployment of advanced manufacturing equipment and software.
Qualifications :
• Education
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field (Master's or MBA preferred).
• Experience
• 10+ years in manufacturing, with at least 7 years in leadership roles driving advanced manufacturing, automation, or industrial engineering.
• Proven success standing up new facilities or scaling production operations in aerospace, defense, or other complex regulated industries.
• Experience implementing Industry 4.0 solutions and digital transformation.
• Skills
• Deep expertise in automation, robotics, digital manufacturing systems, and predictive analytics.
• Strong command of Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities with a bias for execution.
• Preferred
• Familiarity with CAD / CAM, MES, ERP systems.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, or medical devices.
• Certifications in PMP, Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent.

What Sets This Role Apart