Production Manager

Join a well-established Part 145 avionics shop at John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in Orange County, CA
, serving corporate jet and high-performance piston/turboprop aircraft owners.

We are seeking a Production Manager who can combine strong avionics expertise with effective production leadership. This is a hands-on management role for an experienced aviation professional who enjoys working directly with technicians and aircraft while taking ownership of scheduling, workflow, quality, and on-time delivery.

Responsibilities

• Own production schedules and maintain realistic delivery dates to consistently achieve on-time completion.
• Control aircraft induction and ensure required parts and materials are complete and verified before aircraft entry.
• Maintain the daily Work-in-Progress (WIP) board
  , tracking aircraft status, scope, labor hours, parts availability, and discoveries.
• Assign technicians strategically to maximize productivity and prevent resource shortages.
• Identify scope changes and discoveries early, prepare pricing, secure customer approvals, and adjust schedules as needed.
• Coordinate certification paperwork and documentation alongside installations to keep projects moving efficiently.
• Work closely with avionics vendors and AOG suppliers to manage parts availability and delivery timelines.
• Lead daily team stand-ups and provide guidance, coaching, and technical support to technicians.
• Perform hands-on avionics installations when additional technical support is required.
• Assist with complex and highly integrated avionics installations and modifications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve challenging avionics and aircraft system issues.
• Conduct functional checks and final inspections to verify system performance, workmanship, and compliance with company standards.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a Part 145 avionics environment
  .
• At least 2 years of experience in a lead, production control, supervisory, or similar leadership position
  .
• Recent, hands-on avionics installation and troubleshooting experience.
• Active FAA A&P certificate required; IA preferred.
• Experience working on corporate and business aircraft, including Gulfstream, Falcon, and similar platforms
  .
• Experience with modern integrated flight decks and retrofit programs.
• Familiarity with Garmin, Collins, Honeywell
  , and other current avionics systems.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR Part 43 and Part 145 requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, scheduling, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance production responsibilities with hands-on technical work.
• $130,000–$155,000 annual salary
  , based on experience.
• Performance bonuses tied to on-time delivery and job gross margins
  .
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, PTO, and retirement plans
  .
• Significant authority over aircraft induction, scheduling, and production workflow.
• Opportunity to maintain and strengthen hands-on avionics skills.
• Small, agile company environment with meaningful operational impact.