Mfg Supervisor

About this position

Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light and heat. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision.

ATTALON in Traverse City, Michigan is a vertically integrated manufacturing and R&D campus specializing in high‑performance optical isolators, photodetectors, and laser solutions for industrial, medical, scientific, and research applications. The site encompasses 40,000 sq. ft., including 15,000 sq. ft. of ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean rooms certified to ISO 14644‑1:2015, enabling both high‑volume production and rapid prototyping in a controlled environment.

At ATTALON inc. in Traverse City, MI we foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our teams work in a state‑of‑the‑art facility with advanced clean rooms, precision manufacturing, and cutting‑edge R&D labs, enabling us to deliver world‑class optical solutions. We value continuous improvement, technical excellence, and teamwork, leveraging vertical integration to accelerate design cycles and meet challenging customer requirements. Employees thrive in an environment that combines high‑tech engineering with hands‑on problem solving, where ideas move quickly from concept to production.

If you’re passionate about precision, creativity, and making an impact in photonics, you’ll fit right in.

We are seeking a Supervisor, Operations for our Traverse City, MI location. This role will oversee production activities for one or more product lines to ensure efficiency, quality, and cost goals are met. Responsible for planning, reviewing, and improving procedures, schedules, budgets, and manpower requirements. Supervises and evaluates personnel to optimize operations across production lines. Provides direct oversight to a team of semi‑skilled employees, assigns tasks, checks progress, and ensures adherence to established procedures and guidelines.

Coordinates daily interactions and ensures timely completion of work. This role reports to the Senior Supervisor, Operations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, and manage production schedules to meet product demand, ensure equipment efficiency, and optimize material use.
• Develop and review production procedures to enhance workflow, quality, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate production personnel, ensuring optimal performance across assigned production lines.
• Provide recommendations for production budgets, including capital expenditures and labor costs.
• Develop manpower plans and effectively assign tasks to meet production goals while adhering to established guidelines.
• Ensure production processes comply with safety standards and quality expectations while minimizing errors or delays.
• Address operational issues, troubleshoot production line challenges, and prevent errors or schedule disruptions.
• Work closely with functional teams, exchanging information and coordinating efforts to meet organizational objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of supervisory experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Proficiency in production management software, workflow optimization, and understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Experience in leading teams, providing guidance, delegating responsibilities, and managing personnel performance.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot operational issues and implement practical solutions under pressure.
• Familiarity with managing expenses and providing input for capital and labor budgets.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with subordinates, peers, and leadership teams.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and schedules to meet production deadlines efficiently.
• Ability to work in a cleanroom manufacturing environment, including standing, walking, and occasional lifting.

Preferred…