Press Production Lead

Precision. Pride. Performance. Built in the Gorge. Flown Around the World.

About Us

At Applied Aerospace and Defense, we combine cutting-edge technology with craftsmanship and creativity — all set against the stunning backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge. From concept to production, our advanced composite components are built right here and used around the world in aerospace, defense, and beyond.

About the Role

Leads and coordinates daily composite production activities while serving as a working lead on the floor. This role performs hands-on composite technician duties, supports team members with troubleshooting and problem resolution, and ensures work is completed accurately according to work instructions. The Lead acts as the primary production-level point of escalation and routes higher-level concerns, personnel issues, or operational barriers directly to the Production Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Leads and supports a diverse work group to complete assigned work orders safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Coordinates daily production floor activities and assists in maintaining workflow to meet production goals.
• Communicates scheduling needs, order priorities, due dates, and material concerns to supervisors and management.
• Supports and promotes continuous improvement initiatives, quality standards, and operational efficiencies.
• Serves as a communication link between day and night shift personnel to ensure smooth transitions and continuity of work.
• Takes ownership of assigned shift activities and helps ensure production requirements are met.
• Collaborates with management, engineering, quality, and production personnel to resolve issues and support timely customer delivery.
• Performs Composite Technician duties across multiple work centers and leads by example through hands-on participation.
• Assists in coordinating production workloads, personnel assignments, outside machining requirements, and shipping priorities.
• Provides on-the-job training, mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to team members in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Assists with onboarding and training of new employees and provides feedback regarding employee performance and development.
• Encourages accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and adherence to company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Facilitates shift huddles, production meetings, and team communications as directed.
• Maintains professionalism under pressure, effectively manages competing priorities, and fosters positive working relationships throughout the organization.
• Identifies production issues, recommends corrective actions, and escalates concerns when necessary to support operational success.
• Demonstrates proficiency in composite layups and a strong working knowledge of all AA&D production processes.
• Follows work instructions precisely and trains team members to do the same, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to standards.
• Provides hands-on problem-solving support on the production floor by helping identify root causes, troubleshooting issues, and guiding team members toward effective solutions.
• Assists the Operations Manager by escalating equipment concerns, workflow disruptions, or quality challenges that require management-level intervention.
• Serves as a technical resource for composite processing, sharing expertise and reinforcing proper methods and best practices across the team.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing, aerospace, or composite-production environment.
• Demonstrated experience training, mentoring, and coaching employees in composite layup or related production processes.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities with the ability to support and guide team members through technical challenges.
• Ability to work per detailed instructions and quality standards.
• Ability to work independently as a self-starter and self-manager.
• Ability to multi-task in a results-oriented environment.
• Ability to provide leadership and require accountability of crew.
• Proficient in computer operations.
• Ability to follow and require employees to adhere to safety regulations.
• Ability to stand/work on feet for entire shift.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience in a lean manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience may include a combination of technical school, college instruction, and/or work experience.

Benefits

• 4/10 Schedule
• Competitive Compensation
• Bonus Eligible
• Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage
• 401(k) Program
• Paid Time Off
• Career Growth in a High-Tech Aerospace Environment
• Work Where Others Vacation – Columbia River Gorge Lifestyle

Working Conditions

This position includes the ability to perform those activities to complete the essential functions of the job, either with or without reasonable accommodation. The position includes continuous standing and/or frequent talking, repetitive motions of hand/wrists, hearing, and handling. Mental activities performed by the employee in this position include decision making, interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, teamwork, creativity, customer service, mentoring, use of discretion, presentations/teaching, problem analysis, negotiation, and the ability to perform math and to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Physical activities may include standing, walking, stooping, twisting, climbing, balancing, kneeling, bending, crawling, reaching, grasping, fingering, repetitive motions of hands and wrists, sitting, hearing, and lifting/pushing/pulling or carrying objects up to 50 pounds. Work is primarily indoors in a clean manufacturing facility.

Due to the nature of our work and applicable U.S. export control laws, this position requires International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) eligibility. Only individuals who qualify as a “U.S. person” as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, or asylees) are eligible for employment.