Senior Production Controller (New Product Programs)

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

This position is located at our manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, Texas.

SUMMARY

The Program Production Controller is responsible for developing and executing the integrated production plan for one or more of Firefly's major product lines. Acting as the operational owner of the production schedule, this role ensures that engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, test, and integration activities remain synchronized to meet customer commitments.

Unlike a traditional production planner, the Program Production Controller owns the execution strategy for the assigned program. This position translates customer demand and program milestones into executable manufacturing schedules while continuously balancing capacity, material availability, engineering changes, and production priorities.

Working across multiple functional organizations, the Program Production Controller identifies execution risks early, drives cross-functional recovery plans, and provides leadership with accurate assessments of schedule health and factory readiness.

This position serves as the primary Production Control representative for assigned programs and is a key contributor to Firefly's Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Ownership

• Own the production execution plan for assigned launch vehicle, spacecraft, or propulsion programs.
• Convert customer demand and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) milestones into executable manufacturing schedules.
• Balance production priorities across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test organizations.
• Serve as the primary Production Control representative during program execution reviews.

Production Schedule Management

• Develop and maintain integrated production schedules supporting fabrication, assembly, integration, testing, and delivery.
• Monitor schedule adherence and identify deviations before customer commitments are impacted.
• Coordinate schedule changes resulting from engineering releases, material shortages, production constraints, and program priorities.
• Manage schedule recovery activities and recommend corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Partner daily with:

• Program Management
• Engineering
• Manufacturing Operations
• Supply Chain
• Quality
• Test Operations
• Production Control Systems
• Drive alignment between all organizations to ensure execution against a single production plan.

Performance Management

Track and report key operational metrics including:

• Schedule attainment
• Build completion performance
• Production backlog
• Material shortages
• Schedule stability
• Factory throughput
• On-time delivery
• Constraint management
• Provide concise executive-level reporting on program health.

Continuous Improvement

Support the evolution of Firefly's Production Control Management System by:

• Improving planning accuracy
• Standardizing scheduling processes
• Reducing manual planning effort
• Driving ERP and scheduling system improvements
• Capturing lessons learned for future production planning

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or related discipline.
• Minimum five years of experience in Production Control, Production Planning, Operations, Program Management, or Manufacturing Engineering within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting new product introduction through production ramp.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing scheduling principles, MRP/ERP systems, and capacity planning.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high-complexity manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting launch vehicles, propulsion systems, spacecraft, or advanced manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP systems, and Integrated Master Scheduling.
• Experience with constraint-based scheduling methodologies.
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, PMP, or Lean certification.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Execution Leadership

Creates alignment across multiple organizations to ensure successful program execution.

Operational Decision Making

Balances competing priorities while maintaining focus on customer commitments.

Systems Thinking

Understands the interaction between engineering, materials, production, testing, and delivery.

Data-Driven Planning

Uses operational data and factory performance metrics to drive informed decisions.

Communication

Provides clear, timely communication to leadership and stakeholders regarding program health and execution risks.

Problem Solving

Develops practical solutions to production constraints while maintaining schedule integrity.

SUCCESS METRICS

Success in this role is measured by:

• On-time delivery to program milestones
• Production schedule attainment
• Manufacturing schedule stability
• Reduction in material-related production disruptions
• Critical shortage resolution
• Factory throughput improvements
• Schedule accuracy
• Inventory optimization
• Successful production ramp of new products
• Cross-functional stakeholder satisfaction

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

The Program Production Controller is the operational integrator for each Firefly program. This role provides the disciplined production control necessary to translate customer demand into predictable factory execution. By synchronizing engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, and test, the Program Production Controller enables Firefly to scale production while maintaining schedule integrity, operational efficiency, and customer confidence.

BENEFITS

Firefly offers outstanding benefits including generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles, parental leave, educational/relocation reimbursement, short-term disability, and flexible PTO.

EXPORT COMPLIANCE

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer.