Production Manager

Production Manager

Department: Production & Test

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Clint Ross

Compensation: $95,000 - $150,000 / year

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building, and operating a fleet of multi‑purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system. We are seeking motivated, creative, and exceptional people to join our world‑class team.

We are seeking a highly driven Production Manager to lead production and launch site operations that will oversee end‑to‑end manufacturing, integration, and launch operations for our cutting‑edge lunar rover program. This role will lead all production floor activities, coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams, ensure readiness for launch campaigns, and manage the operational infrastructure required to deliver mission‑critical hardware on time and to the highest quality standards.

• Oversee daily production operations, including machining, assembly, integration, and upstream testing of lunar rover hardware
• Ensure adherence to manufacturing schedules, quality standards, and safety regulations
• Coordinate with engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance to resolve technical issues rapidly
• Implement Lean/6S manufacturing principles to optimize efficiency and reduce waste
• Maintain adherence to AS9100 standards
• Balance development initiatives with production goals

• Planning and coordination of flight article transportation, staging, launch preparation
• Oversee ground support equipment (GSE) readiness and allocation
• Coordinate launch campaign activities with mission control, range operations, and logistics partners
• Manage coordination and team execution at the launch site, including coordination with launch provider, setup planning, staffing, and compliance with safety protocols

• Direct cross‑functional teams, including production technicians, avionics, test engineers, and launch crews
• Foster a safety‑first culture and enforce workplace safety policies
• Mentor and train staff to develop operational excellence and mission readiness skills

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for production and launch readiness
• Manage budgets, staffing plans, and resource allocation for both production and launch site operations
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on schedule, risks, and mitigation strategies

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Aerospace Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 7+ years of experience in aerospace, spacecraft, or high‑tech manufacturing operations
• Proven leadership in production, integration, and/or launch site management
• Strong knowledge of aerospace hardware handling, cleanroom operations, industry standard manufacturing processes and flight hardware verification
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, 6S, and continuous improvement methods
• Exceptional communication and cross‑team coordination skills

• Experience with lunar surface mission hardware or robotic rover systems
• Familiarity with launch site operations and coordination with space launch providers
• PMP or similar project management certification
• Experience with taking a product through development to NPI production

• Join a team of best‑in‑class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Home office set‑up reimbursement
• Fully flexible and remote‑friendly work environment
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on‑site
• Monthly social hour with food and drinks