Director of Spacecraft Production & Assembly

Director of Spacecraft Production & Assembly

Hawthorne, CA or Rockville, MD

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high‑mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

As a rapidly growing space company, Quantum Space is seeking exceptional leaders who thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑performance environment and are passionate about delivering innovative spacecraft that redefine the future of space exploration.

Quantum Space is seeking a highly accomplished Director of Spacecraft Production & Assembly to lead the manufacturing, assembly, integration, and production operations for our next‑generation spacecraft programs. This executive leadership role is responsible for scaling production capabilities while ensuring exceptional quality, safety, cost performance, and schedule execution across multiple spacecraft development and production programs.

The Director will oversee spacecraft assembly, integration and test (AIT), manufacturing engineering, production planning, automation initiatives, quality, and production maintenance. Working closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, and Quality, this leader will drive operational excellence while building the manufacturing organization required to support rapid company growth.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary manufacturing organizations in aerospace, defense, automotive, or other high‑technology industries and is passionate about developing high‑performing teams in a startup environment.

Lead the strategic planning and day‑to‑day execution of spacecraft manufacturing, assembly, integration, and production operations.

Build and lead a high‑performing organization consisting of manufacturing managers, manufacturing engineers, production supervisors, technicians, planners, and support personnel.

Scale production operations to support increasing spacecraft production volumes while maintaining quality, safety, and delivery commitments.

Develop manufacturing strategies that improve throughput, reduce cost, and shorten production cycle times.

Partner with Engineering to ensure manufacturability, producibility, and scalability are incorporated into spacecraft designs from concept through production.

Oversee production activities for spacecraft and major flight hardware.

Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives using data‑driven performance metrics.

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, schedule, productivity, and cost.

Lead capital equipment planning, manufacturing automation, factory expansion, and production process improvements.

Ensure compliance with AS9100 quality standards, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Collaborate closely with Supply Chain to optimize material flow and production readiness.

Manage production staffing, workforce planning, training, and leadership development.

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.

Communicate production status, risks, and mitigation strategies to executive leadership.

Support proposal efforts and long‑range production planning for future spacecraft programs.

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.

7+ years of manufacturing, production, or operations leadership experience.

4+ years leading large multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing organizations.

Experience managing aerospace, spacecraft, satellite, defense, automotive, or other high‑volume technical manufacturing environments.

Demonstrated success scaling production operations in a fast‑paced environment.

Experience leading spacecraft or satellite assembly, integration, and test (AIT) organizations.

Strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, precision assembly, composites, electronics integration, and electromechanical…