The Factory Launch Manager is responsible for driving the successful deployment of new manufacturing equipment, production lines, factory expansions, and operational capabilities.
This role serves as the connective tissue between engineering, production, facilities, quality, suppliers, contractors, and executive leadership. You will own project schedules, budgets, risks, and cross-functional execution to ensure manufacturing programs are delivered on time and ready for production.
This is a highly visible role with direct impact on the growth and scalability of our manufacturing operations.
● Lead factory launch projects from concept through production readiness.
● Manage deployment of custom manufacturing equipment, automation systems, test equipment, and production lines.
● Develop and maintain project schedules, milestones, budgets, and resource plans.
● Coordinate activities across Equipment Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and external vendors.
● Drive equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, validation, and handoff to production teams.
● Track project risks, issues, and dependencies while proactively driving resolution.
● Facilitate regular project reviews and executive status updates.
● Support factory layout planning, capacity expansion, and manufacturing scale-up initiatives.
● Ensure projects meet safety, quality, cost, and schedule objectives.
● Create systems and processes that improve execution across multiple concurrent manufacturing programs.
● Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related technical field.
● 5+ years of experience leading technical projects in manufacturing, automation, industrial equipment, or factory operations.
● Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.
● Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and industrial equipment deployment.
● Experience building and managing project schedules using tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Asana, Jira, or similar platforms.
● Excellent communication and organizational skills.
● Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
● Experience launching new manufacturing lines, factories, or production facilities.
● Experience working with custom automation equipment, robotics, industrial controls, or test systems.
● Familiarity with factory construction, utilities, facilities, and infrastructure projects.
● Experience managing external machine builders, contractors, integrators, and suppliers.
● PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.
● Strong technical background that enables effective communication with engineering teams.
● Experience in aerospace, robotics, electronics, batteries, automotive, or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
We are a classic American technology company, born from garage tinkerers and hobbyists, focused on serving the emerging drone industry with unique and innovative products. We are bringing consumer grit to the world of enterprise drones.
