Prototype Supervisor
Job Summary:
A Prototype Supervisor will support and guide manufacturing operations by coordinating team activities, ensuring production efficiency, assembling components, and upholding quality and safety standards. This is a working lead position, combining hands-on Prototype and Pre-Production responsibilities with team leadership and oversight. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical skills, leadership capability, and the ability to drive team performance in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Lead a small cross-functional team of Engineering Technicians, providing hands-on daily support to develop and mentor team members.
Host daily stand-up meetings to ensure goals are communicated clearly to technician team
Daily reporting of manufacturing status and goals to key stakeholders, including Program Management and Prototype Manager
Work with Prototype Manager and Program Manager to schedule overtime as required to ensure program needs are met
Conduct annual performance reviews for direct reports.
Approve timecards and ensure compliance with break and lunch regulations.
Partner with HR to manage employee performance, including disciplinary actions and recognition programs.
Awareness and ownership of build schedule and product completion status throughout lifecycle
Ensure team has necessary raw materials, tools, consumables, and equipment to meet daily deliverables.
Track training and skill development within the team to maintain required levels of skillset redundancy across programs.
Identify and escalate roadblocks, production or material issues, acting as a liaison between the Engineering Technicians, Prototype Manager, Engineering Build Manager and the Program Manager.
Work with Prototype Manager to escalate Engineering Technician resource needs across projects to ensure schedule adherence
Ensure team follows written work instructions to assemble and document the build of each assembly, following AS9100 standards and Project requirements
Help create and review update process specific build documentation and provide engineering feedback to ensure future manufacturability of assemblies
Ensure team adheres to safety requirements and promote a safety-first culture
Support engineering with Prototype and Pre-LRIP manufacturing redlines and updates to technical drawings and provide design feedback as required
Lead by example, promote and maintain a culture of trust and respect for all ESAero employees
Support other functions of the company depending on skills, workload and prioritization
Required Qualifications and Skills:
5+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment or equivalent.
Proven track record leading cross functional teams, resource allocation and management
Strong technical aptitude, including proficiency in wiring, soldering, parts fabrication, and assembly.
Ability to interpret and follow written instructions, schematics, and technical documentation.
Strong collaboration skills with the ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment.
Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work with minimal supervision.
Strong work ethic, reliability, and ability to meet daily manufacturing goals.
Strong written and oral communication skills
High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to work onsite as required.
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
6-10+ years of industry experience, including leading small manufacturing teams
6-10+ years of experience in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing environment
Experience operating in an ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality environment
Excellent aptitude for critical thinking and problem solving, with a strong attention to detail
Excellent communication skills with an ability to collaborate and remain professional in a fast-paced environment
Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work with minimal supervision.
Excellent work ethic and attendance
Ability to flex work schedule and support overtime to accommodate project needs
Technical writing experience
Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:
Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families.
Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off.
Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families.
Supplemental Coverage: Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage.
Health Savings Account (HSA): Take advantage of a tax-advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses.
Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match to support your financial future.
Paid Holidays: Enjoy 9 paid holidays throughout the year.
Work Environment: A casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture.
Ideal Location: Work in an area that offers an outstanding quality of life - a perfect place to live, work, and play!
Company Overview
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services.
At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel
the aerospace industry forward.
**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA**
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ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.
E-Verify participation required for employment.
All ESAero positions require US citizenship or US resident status.
Must be able to pass background check and drug test.
Hiring Range: $80k-94k Salary/Exempt
Skills Required
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment or equivalent.
- Proven track record leading cross-functional teams, resource allocation and management.
- Proficiency in wiring, soldering, parts fabrication, and assembly.
- Ability to interpret and follow written instructions, schematics, and technical documentation.
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple tasks and work with minimal supervision.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and ability to meet daily manufacturing goals.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to work onsite as required (San Luis Obispo, CA).
- Experience operating in an ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality environment.
- 6-10+ years of industry experience, including leading small manufacturing teams.
- Technical writing experience.
- Ability to flex work schedule and support overtime to accommodate project needs.
- Must be US citizen or US resident; E-Verify participation required.
- Must be able to pass background check and drug test.
What We Do
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), an aerospace engineering design and manufacturing company, specializes in cost-effective development of innovative and advanced concepts, with emphasis on simple honesty and a track record of commitment. Since 2003, ESAero has served the needs of the engineering industry through its work on military and commercial conceptual air vehicle designs, electric and hybrid propulsion system development, aircraft modifications, sub-scale technology demonstrators, rapid system prototyping, design for manufacturing, low-rate initial production, manufacturing, and niche engineering support. An “Advanced Design Group to Advanced Design Groups”, ESAero is the Prime Contractor and Integrator of the NASA X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric airplane. ESAero customers include multiple NASA Centers, AFRL, AMRDEC, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Electricore, and AeroVironment. With a 32,000 sq.ft. design & manufacturing facility located in San Luis Obispo, CA and an 8,000 sq.ft. integration and test location at the Oceano (CA) County Airport (L52), ESAero has expanded operations and airport space for system testing and product development. ESAero will continue to provide the aviation and aerospace industries with cutting-edge systems solutions and optimized manufacturing practices. With an emphasis on quality, cost, and/or time, ESAero performs design, analytical, prototyping, and testing services for systems ranging from conceptual aerospace designs to aircraft seeking supplemental type certificates. • Proven solutions that focus on the quality of results • Rapid system development • Hands-on development/testing to achieve customer goals • “Out-of-the-Box” thinking and engineering • Customized project plans structured for efficiency to meet larger program goals of cost or time • On-demand niche engineering team to supplement ongoing projects For more information, please visit our website at www.esaero.com or call (805) 275-1053.
