Project Manager - Global Manufacturing

Job Description

The Project Manager – Global Manufacturing is responsible for driving execution of strategic manufacturing initiatives across all production sites. This role ensures the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of manufacturing programs from facility build-out through scaled production.

This individual will serve as the connective tissue between manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, facilities, and executive leadership to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with Heven’s long-term scalable manufacturing blueprint.

A core mandate of this role is to enable the transition from:

· Phase 0: Initial < 30,000 sq ft operational site

· Phase 1: Structured > 150 sq ft LRIP ramp

· Phase 2: High-rate modular manufacturing (replicable global model)

This role will help operationalize a digitally enabled, defense-ready, and scalable manufacturing system supporting hydrogen-electric UAS platforms.

Essential Responsibilities:

Global Manufacturing Program Execution

• Lead cross-functional execution of major manufacturing initiatives including facility ramp-up, production line launches, automation implementation, and industrialization programs.
• Develop and maintain integrated master schedules for manufacturing projects (facility, equipment, staffing, systems).
• Drive milestone-based execution tied to defined phase trigger points (LRIP → HRP).
• Ensure alignment between engineering release schedules, configuration management (BOM/ECNs/serial effectivity), and production readiness.

Facility & Line Launch Coordination

• Support build-out and commissioning of new production lines, including:

UAS final assembly & integration

Structural and composite sub-assembly modules

Propulsion & hydrogen integration zones

Test & validation infrastructure

• Coordinate capital equipment procurement, installation, validation, and ramp-up.
• Ensure facility layouts align with material flow and modular scalability.

Industrialization & Production Readiness

• Coordinate DFM/DFA readiness reviews with engineering.
• Track manufacturing readiness levels (MRL) across programs.
• Manage transition from prototype to production configuration.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive structured mitigation plans (supply chain, manufacturing, configuration management).

Digital Manufacturing Integration

• Partner with technology teams to support implementation of:

MES

ERP

WMS

IIoT data capture

Digital work instructions

PLM integration

• Ensure digital systems align with scalable “factory blueprint” model.
• Support integration of test data and configuration control into manufacturing feedback loops.

Supply Chain & Make/Buy Coordination

• Partner with supply chain leadership on:

Long-lead equipment and infrastructure

Strategic supplier ramp

Capacity validation

• Ensure material availability aligns with production ramp curves.
• Support development of global manufacturing replication strategies.

Risk Management & Executive Reporting

• Maintain structured risk registers for all major manufacturing programs.
• Proactively escalate critical path risks (facility, regulatory, supplier, technical).
• Provide clear executive-level reporting on:

Schedule

Budget

Capacity ramp

Industrial readiness

• Ensure transparency across all stakeholders.

Compliance, Quality & Defense Readiness

• Coordinate manufacturing program execution aligned with:

AS9100

Defense quality requirements

Export controls

Security requirements

• Ensure readiness for audits, certifications, and customer reviews.

Technical & Operational Expertise

• Strong understanding of aerospace/UAS manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting:

Facility launches

Production line industrialization

Automation implementation

Composite and structural manufacturing programs

• Familiarity with:

MRP/ERP environments

Digital manufacturing ecosystems

Structured configuration control processes

• Understanding of hydrogen or advanced propulsion systems preferred.

Leadership & Business Acumen

• Exceptional cross-functional leadership without direct authority.
• Ability to operate in fast-growth, high-ambiguity startup environments.
• Strong executive communication skills.
• Highly structured, data-driven decision making.
• Ability to manage CAPEX tracking and budget alignment.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• 7+ years of project or program management experience in aerospace, defense, UAS, or advanced manufacturing.
• Experience supporting new facility launches or major production ramp programs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional technical programs.
• Experience in fast-growth or scale-up environments preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government security clearance.

Preferred

• PMP certification or equivalent program management credential.
• Experience in defense manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to digital twin, MBSE, or smart factory environments.
• Prior experience supporting LRIP → HRP transitions.
• Experience working across multiple geographic manufacturing sites

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel 20% of the time, including extended trips to manufacturing sites and supplier locations
• Ability to work in industrial and manufacturing environments, including production floors, warehouses, and testing facilities
• Capability to stand and walk for extended periods during site visits, audits, and production reviews
• Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment up to 25 lbs on an occasional basis (e.g., samples, laptops, documentation, or tooling components)
• Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, and uneven surfaces while adhering to facility safety requirements
• Ability to use standard office and mobile technology for extended periods, including laptops, tablets, and communication devices
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hard hats, and protective footwear while onsite at manufacturing locations

Heven AeroTech (Heven), Headquartered in Northern Virginia with offices in Washington, Florida and Israel, our team thrives on collaboration, diversity, and innovation. We are committed to creating a workplace where every voice matters, every effort is valued, and every team member has the tools to grow and succeed. We’d love to meet you if you’re ready to be the glue that holds a dynamic headquarters team together and lead with purpose.

Heven AeroTech (Heven), Headquartered in Northern Virginia with offices in Washington, Florida and Israel, our team thrives on collaboration, diversity, and innovation. We are committed to creating a workplace where every voice matters, every effort is valued, and every team member has the tools to grow and succeed. We’d love to meet you if you’re ready to be the glue that holds a dynamic headquarters team together and lead with purpose.