Associate Director, Production (Missiles) - International Growth

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

As an Associate Director, Production for Missiles International Growth, you will report to the Head of Production in overseeing the manufacturing and production lifecycle for our international expansion efforts. You will be responsible for launching production lines of Missiles products in partner nations/companies, while actively supporting new international opportunities. You will work cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, operations, quality, program management, growth, and leadership teams to ensure the successful execution of production programs globally. Your role is critical in driving efficiency, managing schedules, mitigating risks, and ensuring that international production efforts are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

If you possess a good foundation for manufacturing operational excellence coupled with determination/grit, join us in shaping the future of military might. Your work will not only translate prototypes for scalable production but also change the balance of defense capabilities on a global scale. Apply now and become a vital part of our mission to secure a safer tomorrow.

Please note: There will likely be up to 50% travel required for this role, including international travel.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• International Production Launch – Lead the operational setup, line qualification, and launch of Barracuda 500 manufacturing, assembly, and test operations within partner nations/companies.
• Support Growth Opportunities – Collaborate closely with the growth and business development teams to evaluate, scope, and operationalize manufacturing requirements for international pursuits, foreign co-production agreements, and industrial participation plans.
• Process Optimization – Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in support of partner-nation production facilities.
• Budget & Cost Control – Monitor project budgets, track international production milestones, and ensure we are continually focused on identifying and solving issues to enable a successful transition to full-scale production.
• Resource & Supply Chain Management – Coordinate the allocation of materials, tooling, and labor to meet production readiness goals, while assisting in the qualification and readiness of partner-nation suppliers.
• Risk Management – Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, supply chain, regulatory, and technical risks that could impact international project timelines or operational readiness.
• Cross Functional Collaboration – Coordinate between engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, quality, program management, growth, and external partner company teams to align pre-production and launch efforts with business objectives.
• Stakeholder Communication – Provide regular updates to internal leadership and foreign partner teams, ensuring transparency on project status, risks, and solutions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
• 10–12+ years of experience in operations program management, production, or manufacturing, preferably in defense, aerospace, or complex hardware industries
• Demonstrated experience launching new products, establishing new production lines, or executing manufacturing technology transfer programs
• Experience supporting growth opportunities, proposals, and operational readiness assessments for new business initiatives
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain management, and production workflows
• Experience with project management methodologies (Agile, Lean, TPS, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Proficiency in project management tools (Jira, Confluence, MS Project, Gantt Charts)
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills
• Strong communication and leadership abilities to influence and align cross-functional and cross-organizational teams
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%, including international travel
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in defense, aerospace, or automotive manufacturing, especially with unmanned systems, aerospace structures, or munitions
• Experience with international defense programs, foreign co-production, and export compliance regulations (ITAR/EAR)
• Experience with ERP, MRP, MES, PLM systems

Per Anduril's expansion plans, we anticipate this job will be based out of Long Beach, CA beginning late 2027.

US Salary Range

$183,000—$243,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Benefits

At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you’re supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.

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