Production Operations Manager

About the Company: At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.

Job Description: As a Production Manager at AstroForge, you will own the fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of flight hardware as we stand up production. This role is about building a line, not running an established one. You will define work instructions, travelers, and production processes, partner with engineering, and manage technicians. You will be a hands-on floor leader, equally comfortable running a build today and designing the systems to run ten builds a month tomorrow.

Responsibilities: Own end-to-end production of assigned hardware, from kitting and build through integration and test. Stand up foundational production processes, including work instructions, travelers, configuration control, and shop floor workflows. Lead and grow a team of technicians, setting build priorities and holding the floor accountable to schedule and quality. Provide real-time manufacturability feedback and resolve build issues, nonconformances, and design changes. Build and maintain production schedules that account for long-lead parts, tooling availability, and engineering change traffic. Establish baseline production metrics (throughput, cycle time, escapes, cost) and use them to drive continuous improvement. Evaluate and help select production software systems that fit our current stage and scale with us. Coordinate with supply chain on vendor-built components and outside processing to keep builds unblocked. Champion a safety-first culture on the floor as headcount and equipment scale. Recruit, hire, and train technicians and, at senior levels, supervisors. Communicate build status, risks, and schedule impacts to engineering and leadership.

Basic Qualifications: College degree in an engineering or business discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience in aerospace/hardware production. 5+ years (more at senior levels) in production, manufacturing, or build/integration roles for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or comparable high-reliability hardware. Demonstrated ability to build production processes from scratch, not just operate within an existing one. Experience working directly with engineering to resolve build and manufacturability issues in real time. Comfortable operating in ambiguity with limited existing tooling or process. Strong communication skills, with the ability to report schedule, risk, and quality status to cross-functional stakeholders. Ability to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA. Preferred Skills and ExperienceBachelor's degree in an engineering discipline Experience standing up a production line or work cell at a new space or early-stage aerospace company. Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles. Experience implementing or configuring MES/ERP/PLM systems for a growing manufacturing organization. Direct experience managing technicians across cleanroom, structures, propulsion, or avionics build environments. Experience scaling a team and process from single-unit builds toward low-rate, repeatable production. Working knowledge of AS9100 or comparable quality/manufacturing standards.

Benefits: 100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage Vision and FSA benefits available 3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time 10 paid Holidays Retirement savings plan – 401(k), with company match Equity on the ground floor of a startup Pay RangeLevel 2:$115,500 - $140,000 Level 3:$135,500 - $170,000 Equity on the ground floor of a startup ITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. CompensationThe base pay range for this role is $115,000 – $205,000 per year.