Manager, Advanced Industrialization

Worker Type

Job Description

Summary

The role of Manager, Advanced Industrialization plays a pivotal role in bridging product development and scalable, efficient manufacturing. Their focus is on ensuring that new products are designed for manufacturability and introduced into production with minimal risk, maximum efficiency, and robust quality. This role is critical in organizations aiming to modernize operations, ramp up production, and maintain a competitive edge

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the industrial readiness for new product introductions (NPI), ensuring production lines, equipment, and processes are validated before launch.

• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to influence product designs that meet cost, quality, and volume goals (DfX: Design for Manufacturability, Assembly, Cost, etc.).

• Drive Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments and risk mitigation plans.

• Develop, standardize, and implement advanced manufacturing processes and automation solutions.

• Identify and deploy innovative technologies (robotics, additive manufacturing, advanced inspection, etc.).

• Improve yield, reduce cycle times, and eliminate waste through Lean and Six Sigma methods.

• Support Industry 4.0 initiatives by integrating smart manufacturing tools (IoT sensors, MES, digital work instructions, AR/VR for training).

• Implement digital twins, predictive analytics, and process simulation for new production lines.

• Define and source production equipment, fixtures, and tooling for new products.

• Ensure scalability, repeatability, and robustness of manufacturing assets.

• Act as a central liaison between Design Engineering, Production, Quality, and Program teams.

• Lead cross-functional readiness reviews and participate in gate reviews during the product development lifecycle.

• Evaluate and qualify contract manufacturers and suppliers for industrial capability.

• Drive capacity and capability planning for internal and external manufacturing sites.

• Strong background in mechanical/electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering.

• Expertise in DfX, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and automation technologies.

• Proven experience in NPI, process validation, and ramp-up planning.

• Familiarity with ERP, PLM, MES, and digital manufacturing platforms

• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in mechanical, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial engineering.

• Minimum of 3 years of successfully leading manufacturing teams within a product development environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Expertise in DfX, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and automation technologies.

• Proven experience in NPI, process validation, and ramp-up planning.

• Familiarity with ERP, PLM, MES, and digital manufacturing platforms.

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Proven adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments

• Strategic thinker who anticipates change and fosters team alignment

• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a focus on shared success

• Ownership-driven, continuously learning, and improvement-focused

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)

• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

The salary range for this role is:

Aero Vironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

T his position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency…