Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Armor

Job Summary
Lead the manufacturing engineering team that builds life-saving ballistic armor. You'll own daily operational support, scale new/legacy product lines, drive automation, and run a structured Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) that lifts throughput, yield, safety, and cost.
Responsibilities

Build and lead a team of manufacturing, process, and automation engineers supporting operations.
Identify, evaluate, and justify capital expenditure (Cap Ex) projects by developing data-driven business cases
Work with the New Product Development group to ensure Tollgate Zero and NPI guidelines are followed, from inception to mass production.
Develop and validate manufacturing processes, tooling, and equipment for new products to consider DFM best practices.
Create and manage process documentation including work instructions, PFMEAs, control plans, and SOPs.
Build and maintain a prioritized CIP portfolio tied to plant KPIs (OEE, FPY, CT, COQ, safety).
Execute Lean/Six Sigma projects.
Identify automation opportunities (robotics/cobots, vision systems, PLC/HMI, AMRs, in-process inspection, data capture).
Lead vendor selection, URS/FDS, FAT/SAT, integration, and operator training; ensure safety and CE/OSHA compliance.
Lead the identification and execution of improvement projects using AI/ML tools for predictive maintenance, quality control, and process optimization.
Ensure proper Change Control procedures are followed to align with the ISO  and BA 9000:2016 Quality Management System.
Work within EHS/OSHA, ITAR/EAR, and customer/regulatory requirements.
All other duties as assigned

Experience

10+ years in manufacturing/process engineering.
3-5+ years leading highly functional engineering teams required
Demonstrate the ability to recruit and develop talent.

Experience with discrete/heavy process experience (ceramics, composites, plastics, or metals) Preferred.
Expertise working in manufacturing environments applying Operating Model tools.
Lean/Six Sigma toolkit; PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, DOE.
Automation: PLC/HMI, robotics/cobots, vision systems, sensors, and safety circuits.
Track record creating CIP pipelines, prioritizing by ROI/risk, and delivering sustained KPI improvements.
Software proficiency in applications such as MS Project, AutoCAD, VISIO, Solid Works, etc.

Strong experience in Project Management

Clear communicator, servant leader, decisive under pressure; builds cross-functional trust (Ops, Quality, Design, Supply Chain).

Education & Eligibility

BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Industrial, or related field (MS preferred).
U.S. Person status as defined by ITAR/EAR.