Production Supervisor I/II

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.

Production Supervisor I

Role Summary

The Production Supervisor I is responsible for daily execution and frontline people leadership within an assigned manufacturing area. This role ensures work is performed safely, to standard, on schedule, and with high quality, while developing team capability and maintaining operational discipline.

Production Supervisors are expected to spend the majority of their time leading and coordinating work, with limited hands-on production involvement (approximately up to 50%) as needed to:

Support training and skill development

Address short-term execution gaps

Assist during abnormal or recovery situations

Hands-on work is intentional and situational, not the default mode of operation.

This role involves working closely with manufacturing managers, various engineering disciplines, production staff, and operations teams to support expected outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Daily Execution & Floor Leadership

Own day-to-day execution for the assigned area, shift, or line

Translate production plans and priorities into clear daily direction

Coordinate labor, sequence work, and manage shift execution

Monitor progress throughout the shift and take corrective action as needed

Escalate risks early and with facts when targets are at risk

Hands-On Support (As Needed)

Provide hands-on support during:

Training and onboarding

Short-term staffing gaps

Complex or critical build steps

Recovery from quality or schedule disruptions

Model correct workmanship, safety, and standard work

Avoid becoming a permanent production resource

Expectation: Supervisors step in to stabilize and teach — not to carry routine production load.

People Leadership & Accountability

Directly manage floor team members, including attendance, performance, and conduct

Set clear expectations and provide regular coaching and feedback

Support training and skill development in coordination with Manufacturing Manager

Foster a culture of accountability, respect, and teamwork

Address performance issues promptly and professionally

Safety, Quality & Compliance

Own safety execution within the assigned area

Enforce compliance with AS9100, ITAR, and internal procedures

Serve as first-line quality gate for workmanship and process adherence

Ensure proper containment and escalation of quality issues

Participate in audits and corrective action activities as required

Communication & Coordination

Communicate priorities, risks, and status clearly to Manufacturing Managers

Participate in daily production meetings and execution reviews

Execute Value Stream priorities through established channels

Coordinate with Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering as required

Continuous Improvement & Discipline

Reinforce standard work, 5S, and visual management

Identify improvement opportunities and support Kaizen or problem-solving activities

Balance short-term execution needs with long-term process discipline

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s degree preferred)

3+ years of experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing

Prior experience as a team lead, lead technician, or informal frontline leader

Strong understanding of:

Manufacturing execution

Quality and workmanship standards

Safety practices in regulated environments

Ability to balance hands-on support with people leadership responsibilities

Strong communication, organization, and conflict-resolution skills

Working knowledge of ERP/MRP or production tracking systems

U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance if required

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supporting end-item UAV assembly or complex electromechanical builds

Exposure to Lean Manufacturing and structured problem-solving

Prior responsibility for shift leadership or area ownership

Production Supervisor II, Specialty Manufacturing

Role Summary

The Production Supervisor II is responsible for daily execution, frontline leadership, and technical oversight within a specialized manufacturing environment such as Avionics, Machining, Advanced Composites, or other high-complexity production areas.

In addition to standard floor leadership, this role is expected to bring domain-specific manufacturing expertise and serve as the primary execution authority for complex processes, quality standards, and technical problem-solving within their area.

Production Supervisors II operate with greater autonomy, manage higher-risk operations, and are accountable for both people performance and technical execution quality.

Hands-on involvement is typically lower than Supervisor I (generally <30% ) and focused on:

Technical coaching

Complex troubleshooting

Process validation

Abnormal recovery situations

This role bridges the gap between frontline execution and manufacturing engineering.

This role involves working closely with manufacturing managers, various engineering disciplines, production staff, and operations teams to support expected outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Specialty Execution & Technical Leadership

Own daily execution for a technically complex production area • Serve as subject-matter leader for area-specific processes • Validate critical build steps and sign off on high-risk operations • Interpret engineering documentation (drawings, schematics, routings, work instructions) and translate into executable floor guidance • Lead technical troubleshooting for:

Avionics integration issues

Machining process deviations

Tooling or fixture problems

Test failures or nonconformances • Partner closely with Manufacturing Engineering to:

Refine processes

Improve yields

Support NPI or design changes

Daily Execution & Floor Leadership

Own day-to-day execution for the assigned area, shift, or line

Translate production plans and priorities into clear daily direction

Coordinate labor, sequence work, and manage shift execution

Monitor progress throughout the shift and take corrective action as needed

Escalate risks early and with facts when targets are at risk

Hands-On Support (As Needed)

Provide hands-on support during:

Training and onboarding

Short-term staffing gaps

Complex or critical build steps

Recovery from quality or schedule disruptions

Model correct workmanship, safety, and standard work

Avoid becoming a permanent production resource

Expectation: Supervisors step in to stabilize and teach — not to carry routine production load.

People Leadership (Advanced)

Directly manage skilled technicians and specialists • Develop senior technicians into leads or future supervisors • Set technical competency expectations by role level • Own cross-training strategy for critical skills • Manage performance in environments where mistakes have high cost or risk

Safety, Quality & Compliance (Elevated Accountability)

Own quality execution for specialized operations • Ensure strict adherence to:

AS9100

IPC / J-STD (for avionics)

GD&T / inspection standards (for machining)

Act as first escalation for:

NCRs

MRB inputs

Root cause investigations

Validate corrective actions and ensure sustained process compliance

Participate in audits as area technical representative

Cross-Functional Leadership

Act as the execution interface between:

Engineering

Quality

Supply Chain

Program / Value Stream leadership • Provide data-driven status, risks, and recovery plans • Lead technical standups and execution reviews

Continuous Improvement (Technical Focus)

Lead Kaizen efforts tied to:

Process capability

Scrap reduction

Throughput improvement • Implement visual controls and process metrics • Support automation, tooling upgrades, and workflow redesign

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s strongly preferred)

6+ years in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing

2+ years in formal supervisory or technical lead role

Demonstrated expertise in at least one specialty domain:

Avionics integration / harness / test

CNC machining / fabrication

Composites / advanced assembly

Strong ability to read and interpret:

Engineering drawings

Schematics

Process specifications

Proven track record managing skilled technical teams

Comfortable owning high-risk production areas

Strong problem-solving and decision-making under pressure

Strong communication, organization, and conflict-resolution skills

Working knowledge of ERP/MRP or production tracking systems

U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance if required

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior ownership of:

Avionics production cell

Machining department

Test or integration area

Experience supporting:

First article inspections

MRB processes

NPI or rapid scale programs

Lean / Six Sigma / structured CI training

Mentorship or leadership development experience

Pay range for this role $75,000 — $120,000 USD

What's in it for you:

Benefits:

Competitive total compensation package

Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.

401k with company-match

4 weeks of paid time off each year

12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.

Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

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 .