Director of Production Assembly

Rugged Science builds rugged computer systems for the U.S. military and some of the most innovative industrial companies in the world — and business is growing fast. As we scale our production operations to meet growing demand, we are seeking a technically grounded Director of Production Assembly to take ownership of our production floor and drive the next phase of operational excellence.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a senior manufacturing engineer. You will have direct ownership of day-to-day production operations and a mandate to modernize processes, elevate efficiency, and build upon an existing culture of continuous improvement. You will also serve as a visible face of manufacturing operations to customers and executive leadership — communicating production status, capability, and strategy with confidence and clarity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a digital Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to replace paper-based workflows and deliver real-time visibility into work orders, build status, component traceability, and production metrics.
• Lead, mentor, and grow the production team — fostering accountability, technical development, and a high-performance culture.
• Drive workflow efficiency improvements by analyzing process flows, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing data-driven changes that reduce cycle time, labor hours and rework.
• Establish and enforce build quality and consistency standards through detailed work instructions, digital traveler packages, and visual aids — ensuring every unit is built the same way, every time.
• Own and manage the production schedule by balancing competing priorities and protecting customer commitments.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 8–12 years in leadership role in manufacturing of computers, electronics, electro-mechanical systems, for defense or other high reliability applications.
• Experience implementing or administering a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) or equivalent digital shop floor management platform.
• Demonstrated experience leading or mentoring teams
• Hands-on experience with box-build or systems-level assembly of complex electronic products.
• Proven track record of process improvement — reducing cycle time, improving yield, or implementing new manufacturing systems.
• Strong working knowledge of IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and MIL-SPEC production requirements.
• Comfortable presenting to customers, program managers, and senior leadership; polished written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (Autodesk) and ERP/MRP systems (Global Shop, Clickup).
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality management systems and audit processes.
• Must be a U.S. citizen

Why Join Us:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Be part of a dynamic company driving innovation and customer success