Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Company Overview
ACS (Allen Control Systems) is a defense technology company building precision robotic systems for the United States and its allies. Founded by two former U.S. Navy electrical engineers with deep experience in robotics and software ACS brings together AI computer vision precision motion and advanced hardware to solve complex defense challenges across land air and maritime environments.

Our flagship product Bullfrog is an autonomous precision weapon system that transforms existing weapons into highly accurate counter-drone systems giving warfighters a scalable cost-effective response to one of the fastest-growing threats on the modern battlefield. Bullfrog is deployed with U.S. forces and ACS works with organizations throughout the U.S. military and national security community.

Following a $200 million Series B at a $2.2 billion valuation ACS is rapidly expanding manufacturing accelerating Bullfrog deployments and developing the next generation of autonomous battlefield systems. This is an opportunity to join a proven fast-moving team and help scale technology with direct real-world impact on national security.

ACS is headquartered in Austin Texas with additional operations in Alexandria Virginia; Mountain View California; and Huntsville Alabama. For more information visit .

Position Overview:

As the Manufacturing Engineering Manager your primary mission is to own the physical realization of our autonomous defense systems. You will bridge the gap between engineering R&D and the factory floor ensuring our mission-critical products are built with precision efficiency and scale. This role requires a hands-on leader who thrives in an engineering-first culture and possesses the technical grit to build out production lines for complex ruggedized robotics.

This is an onsite position. You will initially work from the current facility in Austin and will transition to our new Pflugerville TX location upon completion of the facility move anticipated in Q3/Q4 2026.

What Youll Do:

• Lead & Scale the Team: Manage mentor and grow a high-performing team of manufacturing and industrial engineers. Foster a culture of technical excellence and accountability.

• Build & Optimize the Line: Lead the design and setup of assembly stations production layouts and material flow. Determine the specialized tools jigs and fixtures required for repeatable manufacturing.

• Drive Process Excellence: Champion Lean manufacturing principles and DFM initiatives. Analyze production data to identify bottlenecks and implement physical solutions to increase throughput.

• Bridge the Gap: Serve as the primary link between Design Engineering and Production. Translate complex blueprints into clear step-by-step manufacturing instructions and SOPs.

• Equipment Ownership: Oversee the selection and implementation of manufacturing hardware from precision hand tools to advanced automated assembly systems.

• Project Execution: Own the manufacturing roadmap from prototype to full-scale deployment managing budgets and ensuring production milestones are met on schedule.

What Youll Need:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Manufacturing Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.

• Relevant Experience: 7 years of professional engineering experience with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.

• Industry Background: Experience in defense robotics aerospace or a similarly complex electromechanical manufacturing environment.

• Technical Proficiency: Comfortable reviewing CAD models (SolidWorks CREO etc.) and deep knowledge of plant layout and value stream mapping.

• Adaptability: Experience building or scaling manufacturing teams in a fast-paced startup environment where technical challenges are frequent.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary

• ACS Equity Package

• Health Dental and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

Allen Control Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Allen Control Systems prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws.

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Required Experience:

Manager