Manufacturing Manager

Job description

**Why LeoLabs?** At LeoLabs, we're building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions. We're not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations. If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here. **The Opportunity** At LeoLabs, the Hardware Engineering Team designs, builds, manufactures, and deploys advanced radar systems that provide persistent orbital intelligence to customers around the world. As the **Manufacturing Manager** for Radar Hardware, you will lead and grow the team responsible for turning engineering designs into repeatable production. You will own manufacturing execution across radar hardware builds, including production schedules, manufacturing readiness, DFM, assembly processes, quality execution, and the technical interface with contract manufacturers. This is a hands-on manufacturing leadership role for someone who can build a strong team, solve technical production problems, and scale how LeoLabs manufactures complex radar hardware. You will work closely with engineering, supply chain, and program leadership to deliver hardware on schedule while improving manufacturing quality, cost, and predictability. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Menlo Park, California. **You will be responsible for:** - Lead and grow Radar Hardware’s Manufacturing Team, including manufacturing engineering, production technicians, and hardware quality - Own the detailed manufacturing schedule for radar hardware builds based on program-level delivery dates - Drive manufacturing execution from design release through procurement readiness, kitting, assembly, test support, and delivery - Build manufacturing processes, team structure, and operating rhythms that support multiple hardware programs in parallel - Lead manufacturing readiness reviews and identify risks related to design maturity, BOM completeness, documentation, tooling, suppliers, and build flow - Establish clear manufacturing ownership across DFM, NPI, box build processes, work instructions, fixtures, inspection methods, and CM technical support - Serve as the manufacturing leader for contract manufacturer technical execution, while Supply Chain owns commercial and administrative supplier management - Drive production readiness for PCBAs, cable assemblies, machined parts, structural hardware, and electromechanical assemblies - Support cost modeling, labor planning, build planning, contractor staffing, and manufacturing strategy for current and future radar systems - Build scalable manufacturing systems that improve quality, schedule predictability, yield, and production throughput **Qualifications** - Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience - 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, or hardware manufacturing leadership - Experience leading manufacturing execution for complex electronic or electromechanical hardware - Experience managing or leading manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, technicians, or cross-functional production teams - Strong mechanical manufacturing understanding, including machined parts, sheet metal, structural assemblies, cable assemblies, and box builds - Experience developing production schedules, manufacturing plans, work instructions, assembly documentation, and production readiness processes - Experience working with contract manufacturers as a technical manufacturing interface - Familiarity with Arena or another PLM system, NetSuite or another ERP system, and SolidWorks - Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance **Preferred Qualifications** - Strong PCBA manufacturing fluency, including PCB fabrication, SMT assembly, panelization, DFM, IPC workmanship standards, and production test considerations - Experience manufacturing radar, aerospace, defense, robotics, industrial automation, or other high-reliability hardware - Experience scaling hardware production from prototype builds into repeatable low- or medium-volume manufacturing - Experience leading manufacturing readiness reviews, NPI builds, and production release gates - Experience developing cost models, labor models, build plans, and factory capacity plans - Experience with supplier quality, root cause analysis, NCR/CAPA processes, and RMA workflows - Working knowledge of electrical test fixtures, production test strategy, and hardware validation workflows - Experience building manufacturing teams, contractor benches, or technician staffing models in a fast-moving hardware environment **Within 1 month, you’ll:** - Complete onboarding and become familiar with LeoLabs’ radar hardware, active programs, manufacturing workflows, and supplier base - Learn the current production schedules, build plans, documentation systems, and contract manufacturer interfaces - Meet the Manufacturing Team and begin taking ownership of team priorities, operating rhythm, and near-term build execution **Within 3 months, you’ll:** - Own the detailed manufacturing schedule for active radar hardware builds - Lead manufacturing readiness reviews for upcoming production efforts - Begin improving manufacturing documentation, build planning, CM communication, and production execution - Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths across manufacturing engineering, production, and quality **Within 6 months, you’ll:** - Lead the Manufacturing Team through multiple hardware builds from planning through delivery - Drive measurable improvements in build readiness, documentation quality, production flow, and issue resolution - Partner with engineering and supply chain to improve DFM, supplier execution, and manufacturing predictability - Support hardware cost models and manufacturing plans for future radar systems **Within 12 months, you’ll:** - Establish Radar Hardware’s Manufacturing Team as a scalable function that can support multiple programs in parallel - Own the manufacturing execution model for radar hardware from design release through delivery - Build durable processes for DFM, manufacturing readiness, production scheduling, quality feedback, and CM technical management - Help LeoLabs scale production of advanced radar systems while improving quality, cost, and schedule performance **Compensation** This position is benchmarked to San Francisco, CA with a base salary range of $191,000–$213,000, plus bonus, and equity. Actual base salary will be determined based on the candidate’s work location, experience, skills, and other applicable factors. **Perks and Benefits** - Global workforce: flexible remote/hybrid opportunities - Work on complex, meaningful missions with real-world impact - Unlimited paid time off for most roles - Competitive salary and equity packages - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage - Access to the forefront of commercial space operations and defense innovation **ITAR Requirements** To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website. **Vendor Notification** LeoLabs does not engage external staffing agencies or third-party recruiting firms for this role. Unsolicited candidate submissions will not be considered. *We are committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace where employees are valued for their skills, experience, and contributions. We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on qualifications, skills, experience, and business needs, consistent with applicable law.*