Performs in a collaborative environment to develop and implement manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, fabrication, and material handling. Drives adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement. Creates and analyzes 3D based model data environment to optimize manufacturing process and digital work instructions. Leverages understanding of materials and automatic processes to define operations procedures and build sequences to drive operational excellence. Evaluates performance (including IoT devices, etc.) of equipment and tools to verify their efficiency and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure operational excellence. Leverages factory data to develop statistical process control approaches and integrates reporting and data analytics solutions for continuous improvement. Provides input to product design regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques.
Lockheed Martin is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to join the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile program in Dallas, TX. In this role you will provide technical and strategic direction for a team of Manufacturing Engineers, overseeing the full life‑cycle of the THAAD system—from current low‑rate production through ramp‑up to high‑rate manufacturing and ongoing sustainment activities. The manager will be accountable for ensuring producibility, design‑for‑assembly best practices, and manufacturing integration across the program, while driving adoption of advanced technologies such as automation, additive manufacturing, and robotics to reduce cost, schedule, and risk. The position requires close collaboration with Program Managers, Chief Engineers, Production Operations, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, suppliers, and the customer, delivering clear risk briefings and ensuring alignment with program objectives. You will lead the development of manufacturing processes, procedures, and production layouts for missile assemblies, propulsion components, electronics, and material handling, while establishing con‑ops for interfacing with Lockheed Martin’s missile‑fabrication sites and resident subject‑matter experts to support ramp rate targets. A deep understanding of high‑performance materials, precision machining, and factory data analytics is essential to define optimal operations, drive operational excellence, and provide actionable feedback to product designers for improved equipment utilization and manufacturability. The ideal candidate brings extensive defense‑manufacturing expertise, proven leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams, and a passion for transforming how future THAAD systems are designed and built to meet high‑rate, cost‑effective production and sustainment requirements.
The ideal candidate would have significant project‑management and functional experience in the various stages of manufacturing engineering, tooling, and production life cycles. The ideal candidate should have experience creating proposals, defining capacity requirements, forecasting tooling requirements, and exposure to make/buy decision processes. They excel at influencing and directing dotted‑line, cross‑functional teams across engineering, supply chain, quality, and program management, and have a proven record of creating, documenting, and institutionalizing robust, data‑driven processes.
