Project Manager, Manufacturing & Strategic Initiatives

Austin, TXExecutive /Full-time /On-site

Please Note:

To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At Cesium Astro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, Cesium Astro is the place for you.

We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

Cesium Astro is seeking a Project Manager, Manufacturing & Strategic Initiatives to lead manufacturing activation, equipment commissioning, production readiness, and operational ramp activities across the company’s expanding manufacturing footprint.

This is a hands-on execution role for someone who understands what it takes to operate a production environment. Strong candidates may come from production, operations, maintenance, manufacturing engineering, or technical project leadership within aerospace, defense, technology hardware, semiconductor, automotive, aseptic manufacturing, high-volume production, or another complex technical industry.

The Project Manager will translate manufacturing objectives into detailed execution plans and coordinate the people, equipment, facilities, vendors, and operating systems required to bring new production capabilities online. The initial focus will include developing the manufacturing activation plan through March 2027, followed by leading equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and production ramp activities over the subsequent 12 months.

This position must be equally comfortable developing an integrated schedule, working directly with engineers and equipment vendors, resolving issues on the production floor, and communicating risks and recommendations to executive leadership. This is not a desk-only project management role. The successful candidate will take ownership, work through operational details, and act when execution challenges arise.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and manage the integrated manufacturing activation plan, including facility readiness, equipment delivery, installation, commissioning, qualification, and production ramp.

Translate long-range manufacturing objectives with Engineering, into detailed workplans, milestones, dependencies, ownership assignments, and readiness criteria.

Lead the transition from facility construction and infrastructure delivery into an operational manufacturing environment.

Coordinate equipment installation, utility connections, rigging, site acceptance, commissioning, and production handover.

Work with Quality, Production and Engineering to develop production ramp plans covering first article, process stabilization, throughput improvement, and achievement of planned production rates.

Ensure tooling, materials, maintenance support, work instructions, quality controls, safety requirements, and operator training are ready to support production.

Maintain a regular presence on the manufacturing floor during installation, commissioning, and ramp activities.

Work directly with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, facilities, and equipment vendors to identify and resolve execution issues.

Take practical action to maintain progress when equipment, process, material, staffing, or…