{"id":1643995,"url":"https://alion.io/job/astroforge-production-operations-manager","title":"Production Operations Manager","company":{"id":2263925,"name":"AstroForge","domain":"astroforge.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/astroforge","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Gem","truth_index":{"grade":"C","score":65,"open_postings":19,"ghost_share":0.579,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-06T05:45:30Z"}},"role":"Management","role_family":"Management","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Seal Beach, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":115500,"max":140000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":140000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-05T16:42:09Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-11","last_verified_at":"2026-10-06T20:28:27Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":62,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":0,"flags":["company_stale"],"days_open":61},"description":"About the Company\nAt 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.\nJob Description:\nAs 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.\nResponsibilities:\nOwn end-to-end production of assigned hardware, from kitting and build through integration and test.\nStand up foundational production processes, including work instructions, travelers, configuration control, and shop floor workflows.\nLead and grow a team of technicians, setting build priorities and holding the floor accountable to schedule and quality.\nProvide real-time manufacturability feedback and resolve build issues, nonconformances, and design changes.\nBuild and maintain production schedules that account for long-lead parts, tooling availability, and engineering change traffic.\nEstablish baseline production metrics (throughput, cycle time, escapes, cost) and use them to drive continuous improvement.\nEvaluate and help select production software systems that fit our current stage and scale with us.\nCoordinate with supply chain on vendor-built components and outside processing to keep builds unblocked.\nChampion a safety-first culture on the floor as headcount and equipment scale.\nRecruit, hire, and train technicians and, at senior levels, supervisors.\nCommunicate build status, risks, and schedule impacts to engineering and leadership.\nBasic Qualifications:\nCollege degree in an engineering or business discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience in aerospace/hardware production.\n5+ years (more at senior levels) in production, manufacturing, or build/integration roles for spacecraft, launch vehicles, or comparable high-reliability hardware.\nDemonstrated ability to build production processes from scratch, not just operate within an existing one.\nExperience working directly with engineering to resolve build and manufacturability issues in real time.\nComfortable operating in ambiguity with limited existing tooling or process.\nStrong communication skills, with the ability to report schedule, risk, and quality status to cross-functional stakeholders.\nAbility to work onsite in Seal Beach, CA.\nPreferred Skills and Experience\nBachelor's degree in an engineering discipline\nExperience standing up a production line or work cell at a new space or early-stage aerospace company.\nFamiliarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.\nExperience implementing or configuring MES/ERP/PLM systems for a growing manufacturing organization.\nDirect experience managing technicians across cleanroom, structures, propulsion, or avionics build environments.\nExperience scaling a team and process from single-unit builds toward low-rate, repeatable production.\nWorking knowledge of AS9100 or comparable quality/manufacturing standards.\nBenefits:\n100% paid medical, dental, and life insurance coverage\nVision and FSA benefits available\n3 weeks of PTO + 1 week of sick time\n10 paid Holidays\nRetirement savings plan - 401(k), with company match\nEquity on the ground floor of a startup\nPay Range\nLevel 2: $115,500 - $140,000\n Level 3: $135,500 - $170,000\nEquity on the ground floor of a startup\nITAR Requirements\nTo 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.\nWe are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. 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