Manufacturing Manager, Aircraft Production at Archer in Covington, KY

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise. Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members. About The Team The Manufacturing Manager is the operational heartbeat of our Covington facility. In this role, you aren’t just overseeing a floor; you are architecting the daily execution of aircraft assembly and integration. You will lead a multi-shift team of aerospace technicians through the critical evolution from low-rate initial production (LRIP) to high-volume manufacturing. You are a decisive leader who balances the "now" (daily shift targets and safety) with the "next" (process optimization and scaling). As a central bridge between Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management, you will ensure that design intent translates perfectly into flight-ready hardware, delivered on time and without compromise. What You’ll Do: Lead & Scale the Workforce: Own the full talent lifecycle for a multi-shift aerospace technician team. You will recruit, mentor, and build a high-accountability culture that evolves from a startup mindset to a disciplined production engine Drive Production Execution: Own the daily assembly rhythm. You will lead high-impact stand-ups and shift handovers to ensure aircraft integration hits program milestones with 100% situational awareness of every serial number Industrialize for Rate: Lead the transition from low-rate prototype builds to high-volume manufacturing. You will partner with Engineering to refine MES routings, optimize workflows, and slash cycle times through Lean methodologies Uphold Aerospace Standards: Serve as the final word on quality and safety. You ensure every build exceeds AS9100, IPC, and FAA standards while championing a rigorous FOD prevention and "zero-defect" floor culture Master the Data: Own the metrics that matter. You will monitor and report on production KPIs—including first-pass yield, defect rates, and on-time delivery—to drive continuous operational improvement Bridge Cross-Functional Gaps: Act as the primary manufacturing interface for Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management. You’ll solve material shortages before they hit the line and ensure design intent is manufacturable Support Certification & Growth: Facilitate FAA conformity inspections and airworthiness activities. You will also influence capital equipment planning and facility readiness to support the next generation of production volume What You Need: Proven Aerospace Leadership: 10+ years of aerospace experience with at least 5 years in a supervisory role, directly managing team performance and production output in a multi-shift environment Technical Mastery: Deep, hands-on expertise in full aircraft assembly, including avionics integration, wire harness fabrication, and complex mechanical systems NPI & Scaling Expertise: A track record of success in New Product Introduction (NPI), specifically navigating the high-pressure transition from prototype builds to scalable, full-rate manufacturing Regulatory & Quality Rigor: Expert-level knowledge of AS9100 standards, FAA airworthiness requirements, and RCCA methodologies, with a relentless focus on FOD prevention and tool control Operational Systems Fluency: Proficiency in using ERP and MES systems for production scheduling, alongside modern collaboration tools like Jira, Slack, Microsoft, and Google Workspace Executive-Level Communication: The ability to distill complex floor issues into actionable insights for leadership while remaining a grounded, trusted mentor for the technician workforce Adaptability & Decision-Making: The "grit" to operate in ambiguity and the decisiveness to make sound, safety-critical calls in a fast-paced, evolving production environment Education & Physical Requirements: High school diploma or GED required (Technical Degree preferred); must be able to distinguish colors for avionics work, lift 25 lbs, and remain mobile on the production floor for extended periods Bonus Qualifications: Advanced Certification & Standards: FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification and deep familiarity with IPC 610/620 or AC 43.13 standards Next-Gen Propulsion Experience: Technical background in high-voltage systems, battery assemblies, and electric motor integration, particularly within eVTOL, UAM, or advanced air mobility programs Operational Excellence & Systems: Mastery of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies, with hands-on experience using enterprise-grade platforms like SAP, Teamcenter, or equivalent MES/ERP systems Certification & Configuration Mastery: Direct experience with aircraft configuration management and participating in formal FAA conformity inspections Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications. At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $138,200 - $172,800. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Archer is committed to provide a safe workplace and a safe aircraft. This is a safety sensitive designated role. Employment in safety sensitive positions is contingent on successful passage of a background check and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screening. Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy. Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time. Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.