The Role
Lead day-to-day manufacturing to build star trackers and cameras, manage production planning, scheduling, budgets, KPIs, team hiring/training, cleanroom operations, testing support, and ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement to meet cost, quality, and schedule targets.
Summary Generated by Built In
Production Manager
Englewood, CO | Full-Time, Exempt | Reports to Director of Operations
Sodern America, Inc. (SAM) is the newly established U.S. subsidiary of Sodern SA, a France-based leader in optronic and star tracker systems for space and defense applications (including the Auriga, Hydra, and Horus product lines). Headquartered in the Englewood, Colorado aerospace corridor, SAM is standing up U.S. operations, manufacturing, and support dedicated to the U.S. market. This is a founding-team role, you'll help build SAM's production operations.
Overview
As Production Manager, you will lead SAM's day-to-day manufacturing operations to build star trackers and cameras in the U.S., ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production that meets customer expectations and business objectives. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will oversee production planning, manufacturing execution, systems integration and testing support, and workforce development on the production floor, while coordinating closely with Sodern France production leadership.
Core Responsibilities
What You Bring
Salary range: $120,000 – $155,000. The salary range represents the low and high end of the Sodern America, Inc. salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, knowledge, and ability as applicable to the role.
SAM currently offers health, dental, and vision insurance; basic life and disability coverage; retirement benefits; additional supplemental benefits; and paid time off. These benefits are subject to change at the Company's discretion.
Application Instructions: The application deadline is August 31, 2026. Please submit your resume and optional cover letter expressing why you are a good candidate for the position. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
Important Notice: To conform to U.S. Government export control regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Sodern America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.
Englewood, CO | Full-Time, Exempt | Reports to Director of Operations
Sodern America, Inc. (SAM) is the newly established U.S. subsidiary of Sodern SA, a France-based leader in optronic and star tracker systems for space and defense applications (including the Auriga, Hydra, and Horus product lines). Headquartered in the Englewood, Colorado aerospace corridor, SAM is standing up U.S. operations, manufacturing, and support dedicated to the U.S. market. This is a founding-team role, you'll help build SAM's production operations.
Overview
As Production Manager, you will lead SAM's day-to-day manufacturing operations to build star trackers and cameras in the U.S., ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production that meets customer expectations and business objectives. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will oversee production planning, manufacturing execution, systems integration and testing support, and workforce development on the production floor, while coordinating closely with Sodern France production leadership.
Core Responsibilities
- Direct and oversee all local manufacturing production activities to achieve cost, quality, and schedule objectives
- Lead production team members to support daily manufacturing operations, including hiring, training, and supervision and establish clear performance expectations and accountability
- Ensure effective production scheduling and resource allocation to meet customer demand and inventory levels
- Monitor and report on production KPIs, and make necessary adjustments to staffing and/or process
- Manage allocated production budgets (investment, training, expenses, etc.) and ensure availability of materials and facility needs
- Ensure compliance with company policy and with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements (OSHA, etc.)
What You Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field required
- 6+ years of manufacturing production experience required; space industry experience strongly preferred
- Hands-on experience in a cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environment
- Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and proven track record driving operational improvements
- Knowledge of relevant technical fields (mechanics, optics, electronics); specific knowledge of star tracker system architecture and optronics is an advantage
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to lead and motivate teams, and apply a pragmatic approach to management of quality, cost, and schedule objectives
- Understanding of safety and compliance regulation and demonstrated application in a manufacturing environment
Salary range: $120,000 – $155,000. The salary range represents the low and high end of the Sodern America, Inc. salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, knowledge, and ability as applicable to the role.
SAM currently offers health, dental, and vision insurance; basic life and disability coverage; retirement benefits; additional supplemental benefits; and paid time off. These benefits are subject to change at the Company's discretion.
Application Instructions: The application deadline is August 31, 2026. Please submit your resume and optional cover letter expressing why you are a good candidate for the position. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
Important Notice: To conform to U.S. Government export control regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Sodern America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field
- 6+ years of manufacturing production experience
- Space industry experience
- Hands-on experience in a cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environment
- Practical experience applying continuous improvement methodologies and driving operational improvements
- Knowledge of mechanics, optics, and electronics
- Specific knowledge of star tracker system architecture and optronics
- Strong interpersonal and team leadership skills, including hiring, training, and performance management
- Understanding and demonstrated application of safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA) in manufacturing
- Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or otherwise eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations
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The Company
What We Do
Sodern America is a space and defense equipment manufacturer and a subsidiary of ArianeGroup. It specializes in high-precision optronic equipment, specifically star trackers and space cameras. Their products support a diverse range of missions, including telecommunications, Earth observation, and scientific exploration, serving both established space industry players and emerging space companies across the U.S. market.
