Associate Director, Production (Manufacturing)

Intellisense Systems, Inc. is a rapidly growing Southern California technology innovator delivering advanced sensing, display, and mission-critical systems for aerospace and defense customers. Our Airborne Systems Division leads the development and production of high-performance airborne technologies supporting military, commercial, and government missions.

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Production (Manufacturing) to build, lead, and scale a new production group. This leader will be responsible for establishing production processes, driving operational execution, ensuring on-time delivery, and building a strong production team to support growing customer demand.

This role is located on-site in Torrance, CA.

Responsibilities:

• Build and lead the production including hiring, developing, and mentoring a high-performing production team
• Establish and optimize production processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures to support scalable, repeatable, and cost‑effective manufacturing
• Manage daily production operations, including planning, scheduling, material coordination, and execution to ensure quality, throughput, and on‑time delivery
• Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Manufacturing to ensure smooth transition from development to production
• Implement production readiness reviews, configuration control, and manufacturing best practices to support build consistency and compliance
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, yield, cost reduction, and production capacity
• Track and report key performance metrics including schedule adherence, labor utilization, WIP status, quality trends, and delivery performance
• Oversee manufacturing documentation, work instructions, routing, and process validation
• Address production issues, troubleshoot root causes, and implement corrective/preventive actions
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, and production planning for new and existing programs
• Ensure adherence to aerospace/defense standards, safety requirements, and internal quality management systems
• Collaborate with leadership on long‑term production strategy, capital equipment planning, and resource forecasting
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in technical or engineering field or related technical/industrial discipline
• 8 years of experience in production, operations, or manufacturing within aerospace, defense, or complex electromechanical systems
• 2 years in a leadership role managing production teams and overseeing operational execution
• Proven success scaling production groups, implementing processes, and driving operational discipline
• Strong understanding of production planning, build processes, work instructions, WIP management, and configuration control
• Experience transitioning engineering designs into production, including prototypes, LRIP, and full production
• Knowledge of lean principles, continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and manufacturing best practices
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑growing environment with evolving priorities
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in airborne systems, mission equipment, avionics, sensors, or ruggedized electromechanical hardware
• Experience in a defense contractor environment or with FAA/DOD compliance requirements
  
  

What You Can Expect:

• A leadership role shaping a new production organization within a fast‑growing division
• Direct impact on the delivery of industry‑leading airborne technologies
  
  

Please note: Job responsibilities within our organization are dynamic. This may not be a complete list of duties. Other responsibilities and duties may be assigned by your supervisor or upper management at any time.

Pay Range: $123k-165k (However, base salary for this position will vary based on your skills, qualifications, and experience)

Benefits:

• 4 Weeks PTO a year (including 40 hours of PTO your first day)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 100% employer matching up to 4% of salary (no vesting period)
• Great Work Perks Employee Discount Program
• Multiple options for Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance plans
• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance (30% of Tuition with a minimum grade)
• 100% Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 100% Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• 100% Paid Workers Compensation Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
  
  

The unique culture at Intellisense offers the entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company with the support and expertise of a larger organization. We are looking for individuals that have a wide breadth of experience while also being subject matter experts in their respective field.

With an immediate 40-hours of paid time off and 100% 401(k) matching up to 4% of your annual salary without a vesting period, we recognize that employees are our greatest resource and that finding the right individuals will make our company even better.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact us by phone at 424-319-7813 or by email at HRSupport@intellisenesinc.com

Unless otherwise stated in the requirements section of an individual job listing, our positions require U.S. Citizenship, U.S. Permanent Residency, or other status as a U.S. Person as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3). Intellisense Systems, Inc is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status.

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