Deputy Head of Production, Roadrunner

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Ashville, OH · Manufacturing : Manufacturing

This role is for a Deputy Head of Production for the Roadrunner product line at Anduril Industries, a defense technology company. The role focuses on scaling production of autonomous air defense interceptors, managing manufacturing operations, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring quality and compliance with AS9100D. While the company utilizes AI and autonomous systems, this specific role is centered on manufacturing and production leadership, not direct AI/ML development.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own all production outcomes for the Roadrunner product line, including ramp plans, headcount, and the standing up of new manufacturing lines. Develop and execute a long-term strategy to rapidly scale production volumes to full-rate production.
  2. Serve as a strategic leader and tactical do-er, driving all people and resources across production to achieve outcomes. Lead cross-functional teams (including Production, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering) through strong leadership, advocacy, and a consistent on-site presence, holding them accountable to meeting demands, deadlines, and goals.
  3. Drive processes and systems needed throughout the product development lifecycle to mature products to full-rate production. Establish and manage the team to key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial, quality, and on-time delivery to optimize manufacturing operations' impact on the business.
  4. Be accountable to AS9100D guidelines and drive a 'quality-first' culture across all manufacturing operations.
  5. Advise on development and oversee the implementation of digital technologies, from PLM and ERP to our custom MES and QMS systems, that enable our production operations to efficiently scale while meeting customer requirements. Shape corporate tools and processes to support the unique needs of aerospace production.

Skills

Required

  • 8+ years of proven experience overseeing the production and test of complex electromechanical products.
  • Strong leadership experience managing large (100+ person) manufacturing teams and directing large cross-functional teams across planning, supply chain, manufacturing engineering, quality, and production to deliver products of the highest quality.
  • A strong background in quality assurance, with a track record of driving a "quality-first" culture in a production environment and accountability to standards like AS9100D.
  • Past success operating in both low-rate prototype and high-rate manufacturing environments, with a proven ability to scale production.
  • High ownership and the ability to effectively manage multiple large projects and priorities in parallel, at a rapid pace, and report out on progress regularly.
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
  • Ability to work onsite five days a week at our Asheville, OH campus (Arsenal 1).

Nice to have

  • Success scaling production operations in a high-complexity manufacturing environment.
  • Deep experience with the niche supply chains for aerospace and robotics.
  • Demonstrated experience implementing and leveraging digital manufacturing technologies (PLM, ERP, MES, QMS) to drive efficiency and scale.

What the JD emphasized

  • AS9100D
  • AS9100D