Production Manager, Avionics Manufacturing

Responsibilities

• Own execution of daily avionics manufacturing operations, including wire harness fabrication, cable assemblies, electromechanical builds, and avionics integration activities
• Lead technicians, assemblers, and supervisors to safely achieve production throughput, quality, and delivery targets
• Ensure compliance with workmanship and quality standards, including IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, and J-STD-001 requirements
• Collaborate closely with Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, and Production Planning teams to resolve manufacturing issues and maintain production flow
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on labor efficiency, throughput, first-pass yield, defect reduction, and schedule adherence
• Identify production constraints related to materials, tooling, work instructions, test equipment, staffing, and manufacturing processes, and lead corrective actions
• Partner with the Quality Department to investigate nonconformances, implement corrective actions, and strengthen process controls
• Establish and maintain visual management systems, production metrics, and escalation paths to ensure clear visibility of manufacturing performance
• Lead efforts to improve manufacturing readiness and scalability, supporting the transition from development builds to higher-rate production
• Optimize workstation layouts, assembly processes, material flow, and production planning to support future growth
• Ensure manufacturing documentation, travelers, work instructions, and process controls are accurate and maintained
• Support program milestones through proactive planning, risk identification, and recovery execution when required

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics manufacturing, or other high-reliability production environments
• 2+ years of experience leading technicians, assemblers, or production teams in an avionics, electronics, or electromechanical manufacturing environment
• Experience managing wire harness, cable assembly, electromechanical integration, or avionics production activities

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610, and J-STD-001 workmanship standards
• Experience working cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Production Planning, and Test Engineering organizations
• Familiarity with aerospace-quality management systems and controlled manufacturing environments
• Experience with wire harness fabrication, cable routing, connector assembly, crimping, soldering, and avionics box-build integration
• Strong understanding of ESD controls, configuration management, and traceability requirements
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, PFMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Able to interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, and assembly instructions
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations from prototype/development builds to low-rate and full-rate production
• Proven success improving first-pass yield, reducing rework, improving labor efficiency, and increasing production throughput
• Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, resource allocation, and manufacturing KPI development

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range: California
$132,000 - $188,000 USD

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

Equal Opportunity

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.