Director of Manufacturing

Director of Manufacturing

Onsite Tucson, AZ

Company Overview

At World View, we strive to be a responsible technology leader in the collection, analysis, and delivery of actionable information gathered by our strategically placed arrays of persistent sensors in the stratosphere.

We provide on-demand, scheduled, and historical aerial data and analytics from sensors deployed to the stratosphere with persistent coverage, higher resolution, and increased value over traditional aerial and space imagery sources.

Job Description

The Director of Manufacturing leads end-to-end manufacturing operations for World View’s stratospheric balloon systems, ensuring safe, compliant, repeatable and reliable production from raw materials through flight-ready assemblies. This role owns factory performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost, and partners closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Flight Operations, and Program teams to industrialize new designs, mature processes, and scale output. The Director of Manufacturing is accountable for production planning and execution, workforce leadership, continuous improvement, and operational readiness in a high-reliability aerospace environment.

Role Responsibilities

· Own day-to-day manufacturing execution for stratospheric balloon systems (envelopes, films/laminates, load-bearing structures, payload integration, ground support equipment), delivering to schedule with a strong safety-first mindset.

· Lead and develop manufacturing leaders to build a culture of accountability, standard work, and continuous improvement.

· Establish and manage production planning, capacity models, and master schedules; balance labor, equipment, and material constraints to meet program commitments. · Implement and maintain a robust Quality Management System (QMS) and inspection strategy (incoming, in-process, final), including nonconformance management, MRB, corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and audit readiness.

· Drive process discipline and repeatability through work instructions, travelers, tooling/fixture control, calibration programs, and configuration management for flight hardware.

· Partner with Engineering to industrialize new designs (DFM/DFA), qualify processes and materials (film handling, seam and bond processes, leak testing), and manage smooth ECO/ECN implementation without disrupting production.

· Own Risk reduction across the facility, including hazard assessments, training, incident investigations, and preventative actions for materials, equipment, and high-bay operations.

· Develop and manage budgets for labor, equipment, tooling, facilities, and overhead; execute headcount plans, hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management for the manufacturing organization.

· Build and maintain strong interfaces with Supply Chain and key suppliers; set requirements for critical materials (films, adhesives, valves, electronics), manage supplier quality, and mitigate risk for long-lead items.

· Establish operating cadences and KPIs (SQDC, OEE, yield, scrap, on-time delivery); provide clear executive reporting on performance, risks, and improvement plans.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.

· 10 years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience, including 5 years leading leaders/managers in a production environment.

· Demonstrated success scaling production in a high-reliability environment (aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, or similar), improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

· Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems and controls, including production planning, capacity management, standard work, and configuration control for flight hardware.

· Experience building or operating under a QMS (e.g., ISO 9001/AS9100 concepts), including audits, CAPA, MRB, and disciplined document control.

· Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing manufacturing teams; effective coaching, labor planning, training systems, and organizational design.

· Excellent communication skills with the ability to align cross-functional stakeholders (Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Flight Ops, Programs) and present operational tradeoffs and risks to executives.

· Working knowledge of EHS and regulatory compliance in a manufacturing facility; experience implementing safety programs, training, and incident investigation practices.

· Strong continuous improvement toolkit (Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints); ability to translate data into prioritised actions that improve throughput, yield, and cost.

· Preferred: experience with softgoods/films/laminates manufacturing (cutting, layup, welding/heat sealing, bonding), large-scale assembly, and test/verification methods relevant to lighter-than-air or aerospace systems.

What We Offer

With a broad scope and real influence, you will have a front row seat to scaling the business and shaping how it operates.

You will work side by side with experts in emerging technology, gaining exposure to cutting edge ideas and projects that are shaping the future. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance because we believe in taking care of the you as a person, not just a team member.

Our modern office is designed to keep you inspired and energized, with a fully stocked kitchen, on-site exercise area, and stunning views that make every day brighter!

We believe in creating a dynamic and inclusive workplace where creativity thrives, and every voice is heard. Our commitment to all team members is built upon five core cultural pillars: Engage, Lean In, Create, Care, and Own. Together, these pillars form the foundation of our employee experience while adhering to the highest standards of ethical and sustainable practices.

Some Final Notes

The description gives you a sense of what the position involves, but is not an exhaustive list. We are a growing and evolving team, which means your responsibilities may shift or expand over time as new opportunities arise. Flexibility and curiosity are part of what make our work exciting!

At World View, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate belonging and diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. We welcome applications from every background and life experience because we know our differences make us stronger.

Work Authorization:  
Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without company-sponsored immigration support, now or in the future. This position does not offer immigration sponsorship and the company will not seek export authorization. Eligible candidates include U.S. Citizens, U.S. Persons, or individuals with equivalent work authorization.