About WingXpandWingXpand is Expanding What’s Possible™ with Autonomous Systems, building long-endurance, backpackable smart plane drones and robotics systems that support defense, public safety, disaster response, and commercial missions. Our platforms operate across air, ground, and maritime domains, integrating autonomy, AI-powered sensing, edge computing, and networked systems to deliver real-world intelligence and threat detection. We design, build, and deploy complete systems — hardware, software, and data — and we move fast. As WingXpand scales, we are seeking high performers to grow with our team. Job DescriptionWingXpand is scaling production of the next generation of autonomous systems. We are seeking a Senior Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering Manager to build the factory, processes, and team behind our aircraft and robotic platforms. This is a hands on leadership role for someone who thrives on building efficient manufacturing systems, solving difficult production challenges, and leading teams that execute at an exceptional level. You will own manufacturing operations from prototype through production, developing scalable processes that transform engineering designs into mission ready products. You will work closely with engineering, supply chain, quality, and operations to improve throughput, eliminate waste, increase reliability, and continuously raise the bar for manufacturing excellence. This is a role for builders who lead from the floor, embrace ownership, move with urgency, and are energized by solving hard problems. If you want to help build one of the most advanced autonomous manufacturing operations in the industry alongside other high performers, we want to meet you. Key Responsibilities1. Lead manufacturing engineering and day to day production operations2. Develop scalable manufacturing processes that improve throughput, quality, and efficiency3. Build, mentor, and lead a high performing production team4. Partner with engineering to transition new products from prototype into production5. Drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing, tooling, workflows, and assembly6. Develop work instructions, manufacturing documentation, and standardized production processes7. Identify bottlenecks and rapidly implement practical solutions8. Collaborate with supply chain to ensure materials are available to meet production schedules9. Track manufacturing metrics and drive data informed operational improvements10. Ensure products are built safely, consistently, and to the highest quality standards11. Help build the manufacturing organization, systems, and culture that will support WingXpand's long term growth Qualifications1. Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field2. 5 to 10+ years of experience leading manufacturing engineering or production operations in aerospace, robotics, electronics, or advanced manufacturing3. Experience scaling products from prototype through production4. Strong understanding of lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, production planning, quality systems, and process development5. Experience leading technical teams in a fast paced manufacturing environment6. Excellent problem solving, organizational, and leadership skills7. Bias for action with a strong sense of ownership and accountability Additional Qualifications1. Experience implementing or operating within AS9100D Quality Management Systems.2. Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies.3. Experience with configuration management and document control in regulated manufacturing environments.4. Experience leading internal quality audits and preparing organizations for third-party certification audits.5. Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, and Value Stream Mapping.6. Experience supporting DoD or aerospace manufacturing programs with strict quality and traceability requirements, including DoW manufacturing readiness audits7. Experience manufacturing UAV, aerospace, robotics, or electromechanical products8. Experience with composite manufacturing and lightweight structures9. Experience with ERP, MRP, or MES systems10. Experience with design for manufacturability and new product introduction11. Experience implementing lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies12. Experience working in a startup or other rapidly scaling manufacturing environment What Else You Need to KnowTo conform to U.S. Government aerospace technology export regulations, applicant must be a 'U.S. Person' (U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder).