At Daniel Defense Only the Best Build the Best…
At Daniel Defense, Only the Best Build the Best…
Daniel Defense engineers and manufactures the world’s finest weapon systems and accessories. Our mission of Honor God. Defend Freedom is accomplished by serving customers and providing top quality solutions to our military, law enforcement and civilians that are seeking premium firearms for home defense, hunting, and sport shooting.
As the Operations Project Engineer 2, you will be responsible for the functions outlined below.
Essential Functions:
- Responsible for demonstrating commitment to and leadership of environmental health and safety principles, policies and procedures.
- Independently lead standard and moderately complex industrialization projects from design release through FAI, LRIP, production readiness, and product launch.
- Work hand in hand with NPD Project Management as the primary liaison and communication funnel between NPD and Operations for assigned products and solicitations, coordinating Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and other stakeholders.
- Develop and manage integrated Operations project schedules, industrialization deliverables, action registers, risk logs, readiness checklists, resource needs, and recovery plans; consolidate information required to support NPD gate reviews, hold owners accountable, and escalate barriers promptly.
- Create, maintain, and validate ERP product and manufacturing data, including item masters, bills of material, routings, resources, runtimes, labor standards, lead times, costing inputs, and planning parameters.
- Coordinate tooling, fixtures, programs, materials, documentation, training, inspection planning, capacity, and scheduling requirements needed for prototype builds, FAI, capability validation, LRIP, and launch.
- Lead assigned Operations readiness reviews and participate in NPD-led gate reviews; consolidate readiness evidence, communicate Operations input and recommendations, document decisions and actions, and coordinate follow-up.
- Translate approved priority changes into revised schedules and work plans, communicate impacts across functional groups, and reduce conflicting or duplicative requests to technical resources.
- Identify schedule, capacity, capability, quality, material, and data risks; coordinate cross-functional countermeasures and drive actions through verified closure.
- Provide clear project status, constraints, launch risks, and recovery plans through SIOP, product launch meetings, and other operating cadences.
- Improve industrialization standard work, templates, checklists, metrics, and lessons learned; assist with coaching Level 1 engineers and project participants.
- Participates in the company’s efforts to continuously improve in Safety, 6S, Quality, Delivery and Productivity.
- Expected to be a contributor to the company standards on high integrity, safety, fair and equitable treatment and a positive work environment.
- Responsible for demonstrating commitment to and leadership of environmental health and safety principles, policies and procedures.
- Participates in the company’s efforts to continuously improve in Safety, 6S, Quality, Delivery and Productivity.
- Expected to be a contributor to the company standards on high integrity, safety, fair and equitable treatment and a positive work environment
- Other responsibilities as deemed appropriate or necessary by management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Two to five (2–5) years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, industrialization, new product introduction, project engineering, or operations project management.
- Demonstrated ability to independently lead cross-functional projects, manage schedules and risks, facilitate meetings, and drive action owners to complete deliverables.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, FAI, process validation, capability studies, production ramp, and product development gate-review processes, including how Operations supports NPD-led reviews.
- Experience creating or maintaining ERP manufacturing data, including item masters, bills of material, routings, runtimes, lead times, labor standards, costing inputs, and planning parameters.
- Strong communication, influence, conflict-resolution, and organizational skills across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project scheduling, collaboration, workflow, or data-visualization tools.
- Strong analytical judgment, urgency, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple product launches with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to recognize and work in accordance with our Company Values.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to lift and carry awkward items weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Requires intermittent standing, walking, sitting and bending throughout the normal work day.
- Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment, to include working in and around machinery, exposure to noise and chemicals, lights/lasers, etc.
- Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment as required by your position and/or Company policy.
Daniel Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status, and promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.
Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to the job. This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this job. Responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of the employer and do not establish a contract of employment – Daniel Defense is an at-will employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent education and relevant experience
- Two to five years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, industrialization, new product introduction, project engineering, or operations project management
- Ability to independently lead cross-functional projects, manage schedules and risks, facilitate meetings, and drive deliverable completion
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering drawings, FAI, process validation, capability studies, production ramp, and product development gate reviews
- Experience creating or maintaining ERP manufacturing data, including item masters, bills of material, routings, runtimes, lead times, labor standards, costing inputs, and planning parameters
- Strong communication, influence, conflict-resolution, and organizational skills across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project scheduling, collaboration, workflow, or data-visualization tools
- Strong analytical judgment, urgency, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple product launches with limited supervision
- Ability to recognize and work in accordance with company values
- Ability to lift and carry awkward items weighing up to 50 pounds
- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment around machinery, noise, chemicals, lights, and lasers
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment
What We Do
Daniel Defense is a family-owned and privately held firearms manufacturer located in Black Creek, Georgia. Founded in 2001 by Executive Chairman Marty Daniel, the company started from Marty’s vision to create custom rifle accessories for his personal rifle. An avid sportsman and supporter of the 2nd Amendment, Marty Daniel committed himself to producing a product that would be unmatched in quality and precision. Just 18 years later, Marty Daniel’s concept has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in the firearms world, manufacturing the world’s finest AR-15 rifles, rail systems, and accessories for civilian, law enforcement, and military customers. Today with a combined 300,000 sq. feet of manufacturing space, Daniel Defense has maintained a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
