Deputy Head of Production

About the Role

As the Altius Deputy Head of Production, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of defense manufacturing by leading the day-to-day operations and scaling of Anduril's Altius product line at Arsenal-1. You will own the strategic development and execution of manufacturing operations, driving products from initial ramp to full-rate production while building a foundational culture of high performance and urgency. This role requires a dynamic, factory-floor leader who can serve as both a strategic architect and a hands-on executor—rallying cross-functional teams, developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders, and serving as an inspiring communicator across the floor and to executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Production Ownership & Scaling: Own all day-to-day production outcomes and delivery schedules for the ALTIUS line at Arsenal-1. Execute ramp plans, scale manufacturing tooling and lines, and manage CapEx and project spend in accordance with program timelines.
• Leadership & Culture Building: Serve as an inspiring, visible leader on the factory floor. Build Arsenal-1's operational culture from the ground up, instill a relentless sense of urgency, and actively mentor and develop frontline supervisors and technical leaders beneath you.
• Cross-Functional Execution: Direct and align on-site teams—including Technicians, Manufacturing Engineers, Quality, and tactical Supply Chain personnel—holding teams accountable to strict deadlines, output targets, and KPIs.
• Showpiece Facility Standards: Establish and maintain Arsenal-1 as a benchmark "showpiece" manufacturing facility—a world-class showcase of advanced aerospace manufacturing for customer, government, and VIP visits.
• Operational & Quality Excellence: Drive processes and systems needed to mature products to full-rate production. Embed an AS9100D-aligned "quality-first" culture and continuously optimize KPIs across scrap rates, efficiency, financial targets, and on-time delivery.
• Process & Technology Advancement: Advise on development and oversee the implementation of digital tools (PLM, ERP, MES, and QMS) to scale operations rapidly while maintaining tight configuration control.
• Own the 5 Pillars: Planning, Supply Chain, Production, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of proven experience overseeing the production, assembly, and testing of complex electromechanical or aerospace hardware.
• Strong leadership experience managing large (100+ person) manufacturing operations, with direct experience leading technicians, manufacturing engineers, and production teams.
• Demonstrated experience building or scaling production lines from the ground up (e.g., prototype-to-production scaling, greenfield site launches, or high-growth startup environments).
• Exceptional executive presence and communication skills, with a track record of building team culture, winning buy-in across all-hands environments, and communicating effectively upward and downward.
• A strong background in quality assurance and process discipline, with accountability to standards such as AS9100D.
• High ownership mindset with the ability to manage CapEx, headcount, and schedule milestones with intense urgency.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Ability to work onsite five days a week at our Ashville, OH campus (Arsenal-1), with initial flexibility to complete an onboarding/training rotation at HQ in Costa Mesa, CA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Military / Veteran background or experience leading defense-critical manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success establishing greenfield manufacturing facilities or standing up new production cells under tight timelines.
• Deep experience working with niche supply chains in aerospace, defense, or robotics.
• Hands-on experience implementing and leveraging modern digital manufacturing toolchains (custom MES, ERP, PLM, QMS).

Compensation

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. The listed salary range is $190,000—$252,000 USD.

Benefits

Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including a comprehensive, competitive benefits package available at little to no cost to employees. This ensures support in health, recovery, and whatever comes next.