Head of Production

At Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) , we have one clear goal: to create low-cost, flexible, and reliable access to space. We specialize in building small launch vehicles designed to deploy satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond. Together with you, we aim to revolutionize space services and help improve life on Earth. Sounds interesting? Then join our journey and become part of the team driving the New Space movement in Europe.

Our international and agile team is looking for support from a motivated person as a Head of Production (m/f/d) , where you will be responsible for the operational management and continuous improvement of our manufacturing operations for aerospace components and systems. In addition to ensuring efficient, high-quality, and on-time production, you will drive the industrialization of new products, the optimization of manufacturing processes, and the expansion of scalable production structures.

Working closely with the development, quality, purchasing, and project management teams, you will lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and an efficient manufacturing organization. You will report directly to senior management.

Your Responsiblities:

• Overall responsibility for the operational and strategic management of manufacturing with regard to quality, costs, productivity, and on-time delivery.
• Leading, motivating, and developing employees and managers in the production area.
• Ensuring smooth manufacturing operations as well as efficient capacity and resource planning.
• Further developing the manufacturing organization and creating scalable production structures for future growth.
• Industrializing new products and transitioning development and prototyping processes to series production.
• Analyzing, standardizing, and continuously optimizing manufacturing processes using lean management methods and continuous improvement (CIP).
• Identifying and implementing automation and digitalization projects to increase efficiency and process reliability.
• Ensuring compliance with aviation-specific standards, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards.
• Planning and overseeing audits, as well as providing support for customer and regulatory approvals.
• Working closely with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure the sustainable development of production processes.

Your Qualifications:

• A successfully completed degree in mechanical engineering, production engineering, industrial engineering or a comparable technical qualification.
• Several years’ management experience in the manufacturing industry, ideally in the aerospace sector or a similarly regulated industry.
• In-depth knowledge of operational production control, as well as experience in the industrialisation of new products and the establishment or optimisation of mass production processes.
• A proven track record in the analysis, standardisation and continuous improvement of production processes using lean management methods and continuous improvement (KVP).
• Experience in implementing automation, digitalisation or investment projects within production.
• Good knowledge of relevant quality and industry standards (e.g. EN 9100, ISO 9001) as well as experience in dealing with audits and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership and communication skills combined with a pragmatic, hands-on approach and a strong focus on implementation.
• Very good command of German and English, as well as confidence in using ERP systems and standard MS Office applications.