At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.
We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.
The Manufacturing Training Manager leads the Manufacturing Training & Readiness function and owns the execution and continuous improvement of Zone5 Foundations, our standardized manufacturing onboarding and production-readiness program.
This role is responsible for building a consistent and scalable approach to manufacturing onboarding, technical training, on-the-job training (OJT), employee qualification, cross-training, skill matrices, and workforce readiness.
The Manufacturing Training Manager partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, MES, EHS, HR, and Operations to ensure employees are prepared to safely and effectively support aerospace production across multiple programs, value streams, and shifts.
The role will also support implementation of Zone5 Foundations and standardized training practices at designated partner or additional manufacturing sites.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the Manufacturing Training & Readiness team, including Training Supervisors and Training Specialists as applicable.
• Own the execution, standardization, and continuous improvement of Zone5 Foundations.
• Develop and maintain structured manufacturing onboarding, OJT, qualification, cross-training, and retraining practices.
• Establish role-based training and readiness requirements for manufacturing personnel.
• Ensure training content remains aligned with current manufacturing processes, work instructions, quality requirements, MES workflows, and safety expectations.
• Maintain effective training records, qualification documentation, skill matrices, and workforce-readiness reporting.
• Partner with Production and Engineering teams to support NPI, production ramp, new processes, additional shifts, and workforce expansion.
• Establish train-the-trainer practices and develop manufacturing employees and SMEs who support OJT.
• Use training and production data to identify workforce capability gaps and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure training practices support AS9100, customer, safety, and internal audit-readiness requirements.
• Support deployment of Zone5 Foundations and manufacturing training standards to partner or additional manufacturing locations.
Qualifications for Manager I:
• 7+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical training, or a related environment.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing employees, technical teams, training programs, or manufacturing functions.
• Experience with manufacturing training, technical qualification, OJT, workforce development, or production-readiness programs.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, work instructions, documentation, traceability, MES, and production systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across programs, production areas, and stakeholders.
Qualifications for Manager II:
• 10+ years of progressive experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical training, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, operations, technical training, engineering, quality, or a related function.
• Demonstrated experience building, scaling, or significantly improving manufacturing training, technical qualification, or workforce capability programs.
• Experience supporting complex production environments involving multiple programs, products, sites, or manufacturing organizations.
• Experience supporting NPI, production ramp, manufacturing transfers, new-site startup, or significant workforce growth.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, controlled documentation, qualification processes, MES, traceability, and quality requirements.
• Strong strategic planning, program management, business acumen, leadership, and executive communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Business, Education/Training, Organizational Development, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience.
• Familiarity with AS9100, IPC, ESD, FOD, Lean Manufacturing, and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting NPI, production ramp, multi-shift operations, or manufacturing-site growth.
• Familiarity with instructional design, adult-learning principles, LMS platforms, or competency-based qualification systems.
Manager I: $108,000 - 145,000
Manager II: $128,000 - 169,000
What's in it for you:
Benefits:
Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?
If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov
Zone 5 Technologies (Zone 5) is a UAS and technology development company founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA. To date, the company’s focus has been the development and testing of innovative unmanned aircraft systems for demanding government applications. This has included development of CONOPS, vehicle designs, complete avionics systems, embedded hardware and software, ground control stations and mission planning software. Integration of these designs and components have been extensively tested through software-in-the-loop, hardware‐in‐the‐loop, and flight tests. In addition to end‐to‐end system development, Zone 5 also focuses on enabling technologies, including: modern low-cost high-capability flight control systems supporting vehicles ranging from counter UAS interceptors to long range cruise missiles.
DOD prime contractor with proven track record of execution.
Product Focus:
Air Launched Effects.
Next Gen Munitions.
Counter UAS.
Tactical Interceptors.
Vertically integrated. Concept to production and everything in between.
Join us!
