Decal Lab Production Lead

Description

The Leidos Cargo Mission Contract (CMC) has an opening for a Decal Lab Project/Production Lead to work in our Webster, Texas office. This role is primarily responsible for overseeing production flow, quality standards, and technical direction for the Decal Lab team, and for serving as the team's liaison to program leadership on schedule, cost, and performance metrics. The Lead mentors technicians, drives process improvements, manages small projects, and — on an as-needed basis — provides hands-on fabrication support when workload or schedule demands require it.

U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residence status is required, along with the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Security Clearance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan, prioritize, and oversee workload distribution across the Decal Lab team to ensure production operations stay on schedule and within cost objectives
• Manage small projects, including developing and providing cost and schedule inputs to Project Managers
• Serve as the technical point of contact for the Decal Lab, explaining fabrication processes, design decisions, and production procedures to project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders
• Exercise independent judgment to address non-routine technical and production issues, applying internal best practices and cross-team collaboration to develop solutions
• Compile, analyze, and report production metrics (throughput, quality/rework rates, schedule adherence, material usage) to program leadership on a regular cadence; identify trends and recommend process or quality improvements
• Participate in status meetings and provide technical summaries to non-technical stakeholders and leadership
• Establish and enforce quality standards for artwork and production processes, including final review/approval of work products
• Direct and mentor Decal Lab technicians on techniques, tools, and quality standards, with authority to guide task assignments and address performance or training gaps
• Lead onboarding and training of new technicians; develop and maintain best-practice documentation for the lab
• Provide input into staffing needs, technician development plans, and performance feedback to management
• Research and evaluate new materials, tools, and software to improve production quality, efficiency, or capability; recommend adoption to program leadership
• Coordinate with IT and outside vendors to troubleshoot and resolve tool and software issues, and to support procurement, upgrades, or integration of new equipment/software

Fabrication & Technical Support (As-Needed):

• On an as-needed basis, perform or oversee hands-on production of decal, label, and placard products using hand tools, printing, metal photo process, and CNC cutting, particularly to address schedule-critical gaps or to demonstrate/train techniques
• Periodically review or spot-check artwork created in Adobe Creative Cloud, Nice Label, and Code Soft for compliance with Engineering Drawings, eLabel orders, and fabrication requirements
• Provide technical engineering guidance on work authorizing documents as needed to support the team

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and 2–4 years of related experience in manufacturing or design, with demonstrated experience leading production work, mentoring staff, or managing small projects (or Master's with less than 2 years); equivalent directly relevant experience considered
• Working knowledge of NASA standards, principles, and techniques for decal/label fabrication
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise judgment on production and quality issues, and direct the work of others
• Experience reading and interpreting Engineering Drawings and translating requirements into production/quality standards
• Familiarity with graphic design tools (Adobe Creative Cloud) and decal/placard fabrication methods sufficient to review, guide, and train others

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the CMC eLabel tool
• Experience with RFID tags and software
• Prior experience reporting metrics or status to leadership/program management
• Experience developing or improving lab procedures/SOPs
• Prior supervisory, lead, or project management experience

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