Director of Manufacturing Engineering

KRUSH Tech is an international technology company developing advanced hardware solutions for defense, aerospace, communications, and autonomous systems. We're launching our U.S. operations from the ground up, building a next-generation, vertically integrated aerospace organization focused on advanced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), autonomy, and sensing technologies for the U.S. market and strategic partners. Our teams work across RF, embedded systems, electronics, mechanical engineering, software, manufacturing, and supply chain to turn some of the industry's most demanding engineering challenges into reliable, production-ready solutions, combining the agility of a startup with the ambition to compete at the leading edge of UAS and autonomous systems.

We are seeking a Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead the engineering organization that will stand up and scale production at our new advanced manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas. Reporting to the Vice President, Manufacturing of the site, you will own the technical preparation for manufacturing, from factory and line design through test, new product introduction, equipment reliability, and capital projects, and build the team and standards that turn KRUSH's uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designs into repeatable, high-rate production.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is energized by building from scratch. You will set strategy, hire and develop engineering managers, and stay close enough to the floor to solve problems as they arise. It is a rare opportunity to define how a U.S. aerospace and defense manufacturing operation is engineered from day one.

• Develop and implement the manufacturing engineering strategy for the Austin site, aligned with KRUSH's production ramp, capacity plans, and technology roadmap
• Build and lead the engineering organization, including process, product/manufacturing, industrial, test and debug, new product introduction (NPI), and equipment and maintenance engineering
• Own the technical preparation for manufacturing, including factory layout, line design, tooling, work instructions, and equipment selection, installation, and qualification
• Lead new product introduction in partnership with Design Engineering, ensuring designs are manufacturable, testable, and ready to scale
• Establish engineering standards, governance, and change control, including engineering change order (ECO) processes
• Drive Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives to improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost
• Define and track performance metrics such as OEE, yield, throughput, cost, and on-time delivery, and hold the organization accountable for results
• Plan and oversee capital projects, approving designs, budgets, and schedules, and delivering them safely, on time, and within budget
• Lead automation and smart manufacturing initiatives, including test automation and production data systems
• Develop equipment reliability and asset strategies, including preventive and predictive maintenance, spare parts, and lifecycle planning
• Partner with Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and Production leaders to strengthen quality, safety, and supply readiness, and lead risk assessments and root cause and corrective action efforts
• Ensure engineering practices meet quality, safety, environmental, and export control (ITAR/EAR) requirements
• Develop and manage the engineering and capital budgets, and present performance updates and recommendations to executive leadership
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering managers and high-potential talent, and build a culture of ownership and operational discipline

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, electrical, manufacturing, or a related engineering discipline
• 10+ years of manufacturing or operations engineering experience, including 5+ years leading engineering managers or multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Demonstrated success standing up or significantly scaling a production line or facility, including new product introduction
• Proven experience leading operational improvement and capital investment programs
• Strong Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma experience, including OEE and TPM
• Experience with automation, test, and smart manufacturing technologies
• Experience developing and managing engineering and capital budgets
• Strong executive communication, change management, and talent development skills
• Comfortable operating in a startup environment:…