Production Manager

Description

Agile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with expanding operations in and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and upcoming growth in Seattle, Washington, Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years, and our momentum continues to accelerate.

At Agile, we design, build, and test in-space propulsion systems that give spacecraft the ability to maneuver with precision, reliability, and purpose. Our technologies play a critical role in missions that range from lunar landings and resource utilization to national defense, human exploration, and commercial space transport.

We are seeking bold and driven individuals who thrive in a hands-on, fast-moving environment and want to help write the next chapter of space history as part of a close-knit, innovative team. You will take on a demanding and rewarding role at Agile, directly shaping the future of in-space propulsion. As an integral contributor during our growth stage, you will be eligible to participate in our stock option plan, giving you the opportunity to share in the long-term value you help create. All stock grants are subject to executive review and approval in accordance with the Company’s equity plan.  Agile Space Industries is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to drive technical execution across multidisciplinary teams developing in-space propulsion systems, engines, and related components. 

Position Overview
 

Agile Space Industries is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations and ensure products are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with demanding quality, cost, and schedule requirements. This position will oversee production personnel and manufacturing activities across one or more functional areas, which may include assembly, fabrication, machining, integration, and related production operations.

The Production Manager will translate business priorities and customer requirements into executable production plans, develop team capability, remove operational constraints, and drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity. This role requires a hands-on leader who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, cost, customer delivery, compliance, and safety objectives. 
• Develop and manage production schedules that align material availability, staffing, equipment capacity, manufacturing lead times, and customer delivery requirements. 
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Facilities, Finance, and Program teams to identify constraints and maintain production readiness. 
• Monitor production performance using key performance indicators related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, yield, scrap, rework, and schedule attainment. 
• Identify and resolve workflow bottlenecks, equipment constraints, material shortages, staffing challenges, and other issues affecting production. 
• Manage operating budgets, production costs, labor utilization, capacity requirements, and resource forecasts. 
• Develop cost estimates and provide accurate forecasts for labor, equipment, tooling, facilities, and production capacity. 
• Establish and maintain appropriate inventory controls and material levels in alignment with production plans, budgets, and forecasts. 
• Partner with Supply Chain and Quality to ensure materials, components, tooling, and supplies are received when needed and meet applicable requirements. 
• Oversee the installation, utilization, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment, coordinating preventive maintenance and repairs to minimize production interruptions. 
• Establish, implement, and maintain manufacturing procedures, operating policies, and standard work. 
• Promote strong workplace organization, material accountability, process discipline, product yield, and waste reduction. 
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, and other operational excellence methodologies. 
• Ensure manufacturing activities comply with company policies, quality-system requirements, environmental standards, and applicable health and safety regulations. 
• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and experienced manufacturing professionals. 
• Establish team priorities, assign resources, evaluate performance, and ensure employees have the training and support needed to succeed. 
• Participate in hiring, compensation reviews, performance management, organizational planning, and other personnel decisions. 
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and reliable execution.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position manages experienced production professionals and may lead one or more manufacturing sections or a small department. Responsibilities include workforce planning, hiring, training, work assignment, performance management, employee development, compensation recommendations, and consistent application of company policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline and 10–12 years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree and 8–10 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• At least four years of experience directly supervising or managing manufacturing personnel. 
• Demonstrated experience managing complex production operations, manufacturing schedules, budgets, labor requirements, and capacity planning. 
• Experience leading experienced professionals, production supervisors, or multiple manufacturing teams. 
• Working knowledge of production planning, inventory control, cost management, equipment maintenance, and manufacturing quality systems. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze production data, establish meaningful KPIs, and use performance information to guide operational decisions. 
• Experience resolving manufacturing constraints involving personnel, materials, equipment, processes, or competing priorities. 
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills. 
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities and aggressive production schedules. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, spaceflight, automotive, energy, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment. 
• Experience with precision machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, integration, or complex electromechanical hardware. 
• Familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, or comparable quality-management systems. 
• Experience implementing Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, standard work, visual management, or other operational excellence practices. 
• Experience with enterprise resource planning, manufacturing execution, or production scheduling systems. 
• Demonstrated success improving schedule performance, throughput, product yield, labor efficiency, or manufacturing cost. 
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.

Physical Requirements: 

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing routine tasks. 

Occasional light lifting (up to 15 lbs) may be required

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer  

Employment Type: Exempt

The expected salary range for this role is $138,000 - $172,000 annually.  The base pay range shown is a guideline. Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, and competencies; compensation is based on the role's location and is subject to change based on work location.    

Location: Durango, CO

Travel Requirements: <10% 

#LI-Onsite 

What You'll Love About Us: Agile Space Industries offers exceptional benefits to support you and your family including generous health coverage, dental and vision plans, Flexible Time Off, parental leave, and a 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%.We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. 

Disclaimer: Agile is proud to offer a competitive benefits package to support our team members as they take on challenging, mission-driven work. The benefits listed in this job description are applicable to full-time employees. Part-time, temporary, or other non-full-time employees may have different benefit eligibility in accordance with company policy and applicable plan terms.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Agile, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity with us.

Reasonable Accommodation: At Agile, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request to [email protected].

Recruitment Notice: Agile Space Industries is not partnering with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Please do not contact our staff directly regarding open positions. All candidates must apply through our official application process to be considered.