Operations Manager - UAS Manufacturing at T3i Inc.

San Antonio, Texas, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

31 Aug, 26

Salary

150000.0

Posted On

02 Jun, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Production Management, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, People Management, ERP/MES, Quality Control, Inventory Management, Technical Documentation Interpretation, NPI, Electro-mechanical Assembly, Scheduling, Continuous Improvement

Industry

Defense and Space Manufacturing

Description

Job Summary: T3i builds mission-critical unmanned systems designed to improve U.S. forces' operational effectiveness and battlefield lethality. Our Blackfoot UAS platform is a tactical FPV drone system engineered for reliability, adaptability, survivability, and rapid deployment in demanding operational environments. We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead and scale our Blackfoot manufacturing facility in San Antonio, TX. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for all aspects of day-to-day production operations - people, process, quality, and output - as we ramp from early production to full-rate manufacturing in support of U.S. military customers. Position Summary: The Operations Manager will own the Blackfoot production facility: managing technicians, overseeing build processes, driving on-time delivery, and ensuring quality standards are met at every station. This role sits at the intersection of people management, process discipline, and technical execution. The ideal candidate is as comfortable doing a line walkdown as presenting a production status report - and brings a track record of building high-performing manufacturing teams in fast-paced, technically demanding environments. Primary Responsibilities: * Own day-to-day production operations for the Blackfoot manufacturing facility, including scheduling, work order management, and floor execution * Lead, manage, coach, and develop a team of production technicians; set priorities, ensure accountability, and build a culture of ownership and quality * Drive on-time delivery against production targets; proactively identify and resolve blockers, resource gaps, and process inefficiencies * Enforce and continuously improve quality standards throughout the production process; ensure defects are caught and corrected at the source * Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment; ensure EHS procedures are followed and safety training is current * Implement and sustain Lean/5S practices across the facility; lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and increase throughput * Manage inventory levels and coordinate with supply chain to ensure parts, materials, and components are available and accurately tracked * Operate production management systems (ERP/MES); generate daily and weekly reports on production progress, risks, and needs * Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, quality, supply chain, and program management to support new product introduction (NPI) and engineering change integration * Interpret technical documentation including mechanical drawings, assembly work instructions, and electrical schematics * Support test and acceptance processes to ensure all hardware meets customer and program requirements before delivery Required Qualifications: * 10+ years of professional experience in related fields, including 5+ years in production-oriented or electro-mechanical technical fields and 3+ years in a supervisory or production operations lead/manager role * Demonstrated success managing production teams in a high-mix, low-volume or NPI manufacturing environment * Hands-on experience with Lean manufacturing principles, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies * Ability to read and interpret technical documentation: mechanical drawings, assembly instructions, electrical schematics * Experience with ERP or MES systems for work order and inventory management * Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to deliver clear status reports to engineering and leadership * Strong organizational and prioritization skills in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments * U.S. Person status required to support ITAR-controlled programs Preferred Qualifications: * Experience manufacturing small UAS, drones, or defense hardware * Familiarity with electro-mechanical or electronics assembly processes * Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a technical field (engineering, manufacturing, business, or applied science) * Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent certification * Working knowledge of AS9100 quality management standards * Experience supporting government or defense contracts and customer deliveries * Active or prior security clearance Type of Employment: Part-Time (20-30 hours/week initially, with strong likelihood to transition to full-time within the first year) Compensation: $Part-Time $52 - $72; Full-Time equivalent 110,000 - $150,000 based on experience and qualifications Travel:

Responsibilities

Lead and scale the Blackfoot UAS manufacturing facility by managing production technicians and overseeing day-to-day build processes. Drive on-time delivery and quality standards while implementing Lean/5S practices to increase throughput.