Head of Production
Seattle, OR - USA
Department:
Job Summary
Role Summary:
Overland AI is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head of Production to lead all aspects of production and manufacturing to meet the growing operational demand for our unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) this leader will be responsible for building and managing production operations ensuring our vehicles are manufactured at the highest levels of quality reliability and performance.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in advanced manufacturing or robotics a hands-on leadership style and a track record of scaling complex hardware operations in fast-paced environments. This role requires deep cross-functional collaboration with engineering and program teams to meet aggressive production timelines in support of critical projects.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Production Leadership
- Lead the ongoing optimization and scaling of Overland AIs full-scale manufacturing building on early pilot successes to meet growing demand with precision and efficiency.
- Design and implement production plans workflows and systems to meet delivery and quality targets.
- Partner with engineering and supply chain leaders to optimize build processes and reduce lead times.
Team Development & Leadership
- Hire develop and lead a high-performing production team including technicians leads and support staff.
- Define and embed best practices for training safety communication and accountability across the team.
- Foster a culture of ownership collaboration and continuous improvement.
Quality Safety & Compliance
- Develop and enforce rigorous quality control systems to ensure every vehicle meets mission-critical standards.
- Champion a safety-first culture ensuring full compliance with OSHA and other applicable safety regulations.
- Maintain compliance with all relevant DoD environmental and operational standards.
Manufacturing Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day production floor activities and facility operations at our Seattle manufacturing location.
- Drive implementation of lean manufacturing Six Sigma or similar principles to eliminate waste and maximize throughput.
Cross-Functional Execution
- Work closely with hardware and software engineering teams to bring new designs into production efficiently.
- Partner with supply chain to manage material availability and lead times.
- Collaborate with program and operations leads to ensure delivery milestones and customer commitments are met.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Manufacturing Industrial Engineering or a related field. Masters degree preferred.
- 10 years of experience in manufacturing or production operations with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Desired Experience and Qualifications
- Experience in autonomous systems robotics aerospace or defense-related production strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success building and scaling production lines in a fast-paced complex hardware environment.
- Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes materials tooling and quality control.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive alignment across engineering and operations.
Location:
This is a hands-on leadership role based on-site at our production facility in Seattle WA.
Work Environment:
The position requires regular presence on the shop floor including interaction with tools equipment and vehicle systems. Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits or customer engagements.
Benefits:
Overland AI believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day.
- Salary range: $annually
- Equity compensation
- Best-in-class healthcare dental and vision plans
- Unlimited PTO
- 401(k) with company match
- Parental leave
Overland AI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race color religion creed sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin age marital status disability genetic information protected veteran or military status or any other status protected by applicable law.
This position may involve access to export-controlled technology. Employment is contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control laws.
Overland AI provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process. Please contact to request an accommodation.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
About Overland AI Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Overland AI is transforming land operations for modern defense. The company leverages over a decade of advanced research in robotics and machine learning, as well as a field-test forward ethos, to deliver comb ... View more