Program Manager – Production Automation

About the Role

Griffon Aerospace, a leader in the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) industry, is seeking a Product Manager to lead manufacturing improvement initiatives across UAS production lines, including process development and manufacturing automation. This role will own project execution across both internal manufacturing initiatives and external customer-facing deliverables, coordinating engineering, production, and quality functions to keep programs on schedule, on budget, and aligned to contract requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as program manager for manufacturing capacity and process improvement initiatives, owning schedule, budget, risk, and deliverable tracking from kickoff through execution.
• Coordinate inward-facing manufacturing initiatives supporting UAS production, including process development, materials/process qualification, and production line readiness.
• Lead manufacturing automation projects, coordinating with engineering, production, and outside vendors from concept through implementation to reduce touch labor and improve repeatability.
• Manage outward-facing program activities, including customer status reporting, milestone reviews, and coordination with government program offices.
• Partner with engineering and production to resolve materials, process, and manufacturing issues affecting cost, schedule, or quality.
• Drive risk identification and mitigation across assigned projects, maintaining risk registers and escalating issues proactively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, business, or a related technical field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of project or program management experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing.
• Proven ability to plan, schedule, and execute multi-disciplinary manufacturing projects on time and on budget.
• Manufacturing experience, with working knowledge of materials and process considerations affecting production (e.g., composites, metallics, finishing, or assembly processes).
• Strong working knowledge of project management fundamentals, including scope, schedule, risk, and budget management.

Skills

• Background in materials and process engineering, such as composite fabrication, metallics, bonding/adhesives, or manufacturing process qualification.
• Experience managing production line stand-ups, process development efforts, or manufacturing scale-up projects.
• Experience with automation projects such as robotics, CNC integration, or fixture/tooling development.
• Familiarity with UAS/UAV production environments.
• PMP certification or equivalent formal project management training.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems (e.g., Visual ERP, ePDM) and CAD-adjacent documentation workflows.
• Ability to coordinate across engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and outside contractors/vendors.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interface effectively with all levels of management, customers, and government representatives.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project or similar).

Benefits

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Location & Requirements

This is a full-time, salaried position located in Madison, Alabama, United States. U.S. citizenship is required, and the ability to obtain a security clearance is necessary.