Head of Production

About the role

Overland AI, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages advanced research in robotics and machine learning to deliver combined capabilities for unit commanders through its OverDrive autonomy stack and OverWatch C2 interface. Overland AI has secured funding from prominent defense tech investors and built trusted partnerships with DARPA, the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Command.

Overland AI is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Production to lead all aspects of production and manufacturing to meet the growing operational demand for its unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this leader will be responsible for building and managing production operations, ensuring the vehicles are manufactured at the highest levels of quality, reliability, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Production Leadership: Optimize and scale full‑scale manufacturing, design and implement production plans, workflows, and systems, and partner with engineering and supply chain leaders to reduce lead times.
• Team Development & Leadership: Hire, develop, and lead a high‑performing production team, define best practices for training, safety, communication, and accountability, and foster a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance: Develop and enforce rigorous quality control systems, champion a safety‑first culture, and maintain compliance with OSHA, DoD, environmental, and operational standards.
• Manufacturing Operations: Oversee day‑to‑day production floor activities at the Seattle facility and drive implementation of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar principles to eliminate waste and maximize throughput.
• Cross‑Functional Execution: Work closely with hardware and software engineering teams to bring new designs into production, partner with supply chain to manage material availability, and collaborate with program and operations leads to meet delivery milestones and customer commitments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing or production operations.
• At least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.

Desired Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in autonomous systems, robotics, aerospace, or defense‑related production.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling production lines in a fast‑paced, complex hardware environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, tooling, and quality control.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and drive alignment across engineering and operations.

Location & Work Environment

This is a hands‑on leadership role based on‑site at the production facility in Seattle, WA. The position requires regular presence on the shop floor, including interaction with tools, equipment, and vehicle systems. Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits or customer engagements.

Benefits

• Equity compensation
• Best‑in‑class healthcare, dental, and vision plans
• Unlimited PTO
• 401(k) with company match
• Parental leave

Pay

Salary range: $250,000 – $320,000 annually