Production Manager I - Rate Manufacturing

Job Description

At BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems' Westminster, Colorado location, we develop and manufacture state-of-the-art RF and sensor technologies integrated into tactical missile and aircraft platforms. We are seeking manufacturing leaders to support disciplined execution within rate manufacturing while developing teams capable of solving problems, improving processes, and delivering customer value.

This role is accountable for leading daily execution within an assigned manufacturing area through floor presence, disciplined daily management, and development of supervisors, leads, and technicians. The ideal candidate understands that standards, leader behaviors, and problem-solving at the floor are foundational to operational stability, learning, and continuous improvement.

This leader will use Tier 1 daily management, regular Gemba, and structured problem solving to make abnormalities visible, support rapid response, and build capability within the team. Success in this role requires excellent communication skills, coaching, accountability, and the ability to maintain execution ownership while working cross-functionally with support teams.

The Operations Strategic Capabilities Unit plays a fundamental role in enabling efficient business and program execution - from strategic capital investments, industrial operations and an efficient supply chain, to state-of-the-art manufacturing and test operations and top-notch facilities management.

What You'll Do:

• Own execution within an assigned manufacturing area, supporting safety, quality, delivery, and labor performance.
• Lead and sustain Tier 1 Daily Management routines that help teams understand the plan, recognize abnormalities quickly, and respond consistently and effectively.
• Reinforce discipline in daily execution, including adherence to standard work, escalation routines, and follow-up.
• Develop supervisors, leads, and technicians to own execution within their areas, surface problems early, lead daily management routines, and continuously improve processes through coaching, feedback, and daily engagement.
• Ensure teams understand who their customer is - including downstream operations and end users - what they value, and how daily execution decisions support or threaten that value.
• Support translation of organizational priorities and customer needs into clear and executable expectations at the floor level.
• Apply structured problem solving and PDCA thinking to improve stability, flow, execution capability, and organizational learning.
• Reinforce a culture where problems are expected, visible, and addressed respectfully and systematically.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Industrial Engineering, Planning, and other support functions to remove barriers to execution in support of customer value while maintaining ownership within operations.
• Protect the floor from unnecessary disruptions, conflicting priorities, and unplanned work that compromise safe, stable execution.
• Spend significant time at Gemba observing work as performed, reinforcing standards, validating conditions, and coaching leaders in real time.
• Communicate expectations clearly and consistently so supervisors, leads, and technicians understand priorities, roles, and accountability.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment, laboratory, cleanroom, or production floor.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Experience supporting or leading production execution in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to establish discipline in daily execution while maintaining respect for people.
• Experience developing supervisors, leads, or technicians through coaching and daily engagement.
• Practical experience operating within a Lean Management System, including daily management, strategy deployment (Hoshin Kanri), and structured problem solving to improve execution, develop people, and make problems visible.
• Comfort spending significant time at the floor level observing work and reinforcing standards.
• Ability to communicate expectations clearly and hold teams accountable consistently.
• Ability to distinguish between problems that should be solved at the floor and problems requiring broader organizational escalation.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with support organizations while maintaining execution ownership.

#LI-AD2

A DoW Interim Secret clearance will be required to start work and required to be maintained to continue work. Higher level clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position. However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience supporting or leading production execution in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing supervisors, leads, or technicians through coaching and daily engagement.
• Practical experience operating within a Lean Management System, including daily management, strategy deployment (Hoshin Kanri), and structured problem solving to improve execution, develop people, and make problems visible.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $118747 - $201870

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Multiple positions may be available on this opening.