Associate Director, Manufacturing

Intellisense Systems Inc
Torrance, CA
Intellisense Systems, Inc. is a rapidly growing Southern California technology innovator delivering advanced sensing, display, and mission-critical systems for aerospace and defense customers. Our Airborne Systems Division leads the development and production of high-performance airborne technologies supporting military, commercial, and government missions.

We are seeking an experienced production leader to build, lead, and scale a new production group within our Airborne Systems Division. This position can be filled at either the Associate Director or Director level depending on the candidate’s skills and experience. This leader will be responsible for establishing production processes, driving operational execution, ensuring on-time delivery, and building a strong production team to support growing customer demand.

This role is located on-site in Torrance, CA.

Responsibilities:

  • Build and lead the production organization, including hiring, developing, and mentoring a high-performing production team.
  • Establish and optimize production processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures to support scalable, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing.
  • Manage daily production operations — planning, scheduling, material coordination, and execution — to ensure quality, throughput, and on-time delivery.
  • Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, and Manufacturing to ensure smooth transitions from development to production.
  • Implement production readiness reviews, configuration control, and manufacturing best practices to support build consistency and compliance.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, yield, cost reduction, and production capacity.
  • Track and report key performance metrics including schedule adherence, labor utilization, WIP status, quality trends, and delivery performance.
  • Oversee manufacturing documentation, work instructions, routing, and process validation.
  • Address production issues, troubleshoot root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
  • Support proposal development, cost estimation, and production planning for new and existing programs.
  • Ensure adherence to aerospace/defense standards, safety requirements, and internal quality management systems.
  • Collaborate with leadership on long-term production strategy, capital equipment planning, and resource forecasting.
  • Job responsibilities within our organization are dynamic. This may not be a complete list of duties. Other responsibilities and duties may be assigned by your supervisor or upper management at any time.
Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a technical or engineering field, or related technical/industrial discipline.
  • Proven success scaling production groups, implementing processes, and driving operational discipline.
  • Strong understanding of production planning, build processes, work instructions, WIP management, and configuration control.
  • Experience transitioning engineering designs into production, including prototypes, LRIP, and full production.
  • Knowledge of lean principles, continuous improvement, root cause analysis, and manufacturing best practices.
  • Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-growing environment with evolving priorities.
Associate Director:

  • 8+ years of experience in production, operations, or manufacturing within aerospace, defense, or complex electromechanical systems.
  • 2+ years in a leadership role managing production teams and overseeing operational execution.
Director:

  • 10+ years of experience in production, operations, or manufacturing within aerospace, defense, or complex electromechanical systems.
  • 3+ years in a leadership role managing production teams and overseeing operational execution.
Nice to Haves:

  • Experience in airborne systems, mission equipment, avionics, sensors, or ruggedized electromechanical hardware.
  • Experience in a defense contractor environment or with FAA/DOD compliance requirements.
What You Could Expect:

  • A leadership role shaping a new production organization within a fast-growing division.
  • Direct impact on the delivery of industry-leading airborne technologies.
Please note: Job responsibilities within our organization are dynamic. This may not be a complete list of duties. Other responsibilities and duties may be assigned by your supervisor or upper management at any time.

Pay Range: Associate Director: $123,000 – $165,000 | Director: $147,000 – $205,000

Benefits:

  • 4 Weeks PTO a year (including 40 hours of PTO your first day)
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 401(k) with 100% employer matching up to 4% of salary (no vesting period)
  • Multiple options for Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance plans
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Tuition Assistance (30% of Tuition with a minimum qualifying grade)
  • 100% Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • 100% Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
  • 100% Paid Workers Compensation Insurance
  • Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Great Work Perks Discount Program

The unique culture at Intellisense offers the entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company with the support and expertise of a larger organization. We are looking for individuals with a wide breadth of experience while also being subject matter experts in their respective field.

With an immediate 40 hours of paid time off and 100% 401(k) matching up to 4% of your annual salary without a vesting period, we recognize that employees are our greatest resource.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact us by phone at 424-319-7813 or by email at
[email protected]

Unless otherwise stated in the requirements section of an individual job listing, our positions require U.S. Citizenship, U.S. Permanent Residency, or other status as a U.S. Person as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3). Intellisense Systems, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status.

26019

Posted 2026-04-18

Recommended Jobs

Sales Associate (MH)

The Salvation Army
San Francisco, CA

ABOUT THE ARC The Salvation Army (TSA) Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) is a no-fee program to assist men & women in their journey to complete our rehabilitation program. We are grateful for the co…

View Details
Posted 2026-03-03

Route Service Representative (4 Day Workweek)

Cintas Corporation
Vista, CA

Requisition Number: 223093  Job Description Cintas is seeking a Route Service Representative to manage and grow customer accounts in the Rental Division. Our partners drive a truck along an est…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-09

Coffee Barista Attendant

Marriott
Palm Desert, CA

POSITION SUMMARY Complete opening and closing duties including setting up necessary supplies and tools, cleaning all equipment and areas, locking doors, etc. Set up, stock, and maintain work areas…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-18

Litigation Paralegal

PSI
Irvine, CA

PSI is looking for an experienced Litigation Paralegal to join our dynamic legal team in Irvine. The successful candidate will provide comprehensive support to our litigation attorneys by managing ca…

View Details
Posted 2026-03-21

Job Captain

Westside Build LLC
Santa Monica, CA

Westside Design  is a design practice driven by innovation and efficiency, redefining how homes are designed and built on LA’s westside. Born from a powerhouse collaboration with Westside Build, our …

View Details
Posted 2026-02-25

Program Manager, People Systems & Analytics

Tesla
California

What To Expect At Tesla, talent is our greatest asset and the foundation of our innovation. We're seeking a strategic and results-driven Program Manager to join our People Organization (HR & Recru…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-06

Medication Technician

Oakmont Management
Carlsbad, CA

Position: Medication Technician Shifts, Time, and Days: FT or PT Pay Range: $19.00 - 21.00 SANTIANNA is a premier senior living community situated on a beautifully landscaped campus. Managed by Oak…

View Details
Posted 2026-02-18

Pizza Cook

Gourmet Italia
Temecula, CA

Description We are a highly reputable and busy Italian Restaurant located in Temecula. Requirements/Responsibilities Italian Cuisine experience is required! We encourage you to email your r…

View Details
Posted 2025-10-28

Sr. Software Developer - .NET MAUI

Esri
Redlands, CA

Overview Bring your passion for creating awesome apps and join us in developing leading-edge cross-platform mapping and GIS solutions that run on the latest mobile devices. This is a great opportunit…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-18

Physical Therapy Assistant Per Diem_O/P Rehab (Pasadena)

Huntington Hospital
Pasadena, CA

When you join the Huntington Hospital team, you are aligning yourself with an organization whose values drive our philosophy of compassionate community care. Over the past 129 years, we’ve grown from…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-15