Head of Production, Rocket Motor Systems

Head of Production, Rocket Motor Systems

At Anduril Industries, we are transforming the propulsion market for missiles and advanced weapon systems through our Rocket Motor Systems (RMS) business line. Since acquiring RMS, we have made significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing capability. Our flagship production site in McHenry, Mississippi, is a cutting-edge facility designed to meet the growing demand for advanced propulsion systems. With strong partnerships with industry leaders and long-term production contracts secured, RMS is poised to deliver on its mission to revolutionize propulsion systems for national security.

As Head of Production for Rocket Motor Systems, you will oversee all aspects of production, including Planning, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Quality. This role will also serve as the Site Leader for the RMS facility in McHenry, Mississippi. In this role, you will lead the transition from NPI to high-rate production, ensuring operational excellence, scalability, and adherence to rigorous quality and safety standards. This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape one of Anduril’s most critical business lines in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Production Leadership & Scaling:

• Own Production Outcomes: Take full ownership of production functions, including ramp-up plans, headcount scaling, and high-rate production readiness to meet customer commitments.
• Establish and Build Functions: Stand up and optimize critical functions, such as Planning and Supply Chain, to support the scale and complexity of RMS operations. Oversee a large and growing team across multiple sites, with continued expansion as new facilities are developed.
• High-Rate Production Leadership: Lead the team in achieving sustained high-rate production, implementing the systems and processes necessary to deliver on current and future contracts. Ensure operational readiness to meet ambitious production targets while maintaining quality and efficiency.
• Financial Responsibility: Manage production budgets and costs, driving financial discipline and efficiency to support the long-term growth of the RMS business line.
• Hands-On Leadership: Be a visible and engaged leader, spending significant time on the production floor.

Site Leadership & Community Engagement:

• Site Leader for McHenry Facility: Act as the primary leader for the McHenry production site, a cutting-edge facility driving significant advancements in propulsion manufacturing.
• Community Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders, including county officials and community partners.
• Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure compliance with all safety, regulatory, and environmental standards, particularly those related to energetics and explosive materials.

Facilities Expansion & Infrastructure Development:

• Site Expansion: Lead the expansion of existing facilities and the development of new production sites, ensuring all necessary permits, construction timelines, and regulatory requirements are met.
• Growth Planning: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan and execute strategies for scaling RMS operations, including the development of additional facilities to support future production needs.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:

• Process Development: Implement and refine processes and systems to ensure efficient, scalable, and repeatable production operations.
• Technology Integration: Drive the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, including PLM, ERP, MES, and QMS systems, to optimize operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
• KPIs & Metrics: Establish and manage to key performance indicators for quality, delivery, financial performance, and safety, ensuring production goals are met and exceeded.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience & Expertise:

• Production Leadership: 10+ years of experience in a production leadership role within a highly technical, hardware-focused industry such as aerospace, defense, automotive, or energy. Experience with energetics or propulsion systems is strongly preferred.
• Scaling Operations: Proven track record of scaling production systems to meet demanding delivery schedules, including implementing processes for sustained high-rate manufacturing.
• Financial Acumen: Experience managing significant budgets and scaling financial operations to support business growth.
• Workforce Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire large teams across functions, including quality, supply chain, manufacturing engineering, and operations.

Skills & Abilities:

• Builder & Owner: A hands-on leader who thrives in dynamic environments. Ability to build new functions and processes from the ground up and lead them to maturity.
• Onsite Leadership: Ability to be onsite at the McHenry, MS facility five days a week to provide hands-on leadership, ensure operational excellence, and engage directly with the production team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work with engineering, program management, and other technical teams to troubleshoot and optimize manufacturing processes for complex hardware systems.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to develop and execute long-term strategies while delivering on immediate production goals.
• Community Engagement: Skilled in building partnerships with local stakeholders, navigating sensitive issues, and maintaining positive relationships with external partners and regulators.

Technical & Compliance Knowledge:

• Energetics Experience: Familiarity with the manufacturing of energetics or explosives is a significant advantage.
• Regulatory Compliance: Deep understanding of safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements for production facilities handling advanced propulsion systems.
• Educational Background: Bachelor of Science or higher degree in a technical discipline preferred but not required.

Security Clearance:

• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.