Production Lead

Title: Production Lead
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia  
FLSA: Exempt

About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech (Heven), we don’t just believe in the power of people—we build our success on it. As a recognized leader in hydrogen-powered drones, we’ve earned recognition for creating a workplace where innovation thrives, collaboration is second nature, and every employee feels valued. Our culture is anchored in trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

We believe great teams are built on individuals who are humble, hungry, and smart—those who put team success first, take initiative to continuously improve, and demonstrate strong interpersonal awareness. At Heven, your voice matters, your ideas are heard, and your contributions make a tangible impact as you grow through hands-on experience and collaboration across the team.

Role Summary:
Working under Sr. Production manager, the Production Lead oversees a team of technicians and assemblers within a single 8-hour shift, driving toward a production rate of 20 units per month. This individual is expected to possess deep familiarity with composite fabrication processes, structural assembly, and the disciplined documentation practices required in an aerospace manufacturing environment. The Production Lead plays a key role in standing up production infrastructure, refining SOPs, and developing the skilled team needed to scale Z1 production through initial rate and beyond.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise production technicians and assemblers on the Z1 build line during the assigned shift, providing direct guidance on task execution, workmanship standards, and troubleshooting.
• Manage the daily execution of assembly travelers, kitting releases, and work orders to ensure on-time, on-quality completion of build activities aligned with the production schedule.
• Monitor composite fabrication operations — including layup, vacuum bagging, cure cycles, trimming, bonding, and vinyl application — ensuring all processes comply with approved SOPs and quality checkpoints.
• Conduct first-article and in-process quality inspections; identify, document, and disposition non-conformances in accordance with established QC procedures.
• Enforce out-time tracking and prepreg handling protocols, ensuring proper material management and traceability throughout the production process.
• Collaborate with production planning and materials/kitting teams to anticipate part shortages, flag scheduling conflicts, and maintain uninterrupted production flow.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process inefficiencies, contributing to SOP development and revision, and driving corrective actions on recurring issues.
• Enforce all safety policies, FOD prevention practices, and ESD/hazmat handling requirements on the production floor.
• Coordinate with engineering and quality teams to resolve assembly discrepancies, incorporate ECOs, and support design-for-manufacturability feedback.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and skills development of production personnel as the team ramps toward full rate production.
• Maintain accurate and complete production documentation including assembly travelers, inspection records, and shift logs

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent; associate degree or technical certification in manufacturing, composites, or aerospace preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a production or manufacturing environment, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated proficiency in composite fabrication processes including prepreg layup, vacuum bagging, autoclave/oven cure cycles, honeycomb core handling, and structural bonding with film and paste adhesives (e.g., FM-73, Redux 312, EA9394).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, assembly travelers, and work instructions.
• Strong working knowledge of quality control methods, non-conformance documentation, and inspection techniques applicable to composite and electromechanical assemblies.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems for work order management and parts tracking (Aligni or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams in a fast-paced, production-rate environment with high accountability for quality and schedule.
• Excellent verbal communication and written documentation skills.

Preferred:

• Background in UAS, aerospace, or defense manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with hydrogen propulsion systems, VTOL platforms, or high-reliability electronic/electromechanical assemblies.
• Experience with flight-critical composite structures and associated process controls.
• Knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems or experience in an AS9100-certified facility.
• Eligibility to obtain a DOD Secret clearance.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk on a manufacturing floor for extended periods throughout an 8-hour shift.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to handle tools, components, materials, and production documentation.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions including grasping, reaching, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and climbing ladders or work platforms as required.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 35 pounds independently and up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to visually inspect components, assemblies, and workmanship for quality, defects, and compliance with specifications.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, work instructions, assembly travelers, labels, and computer screens.
• Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment, adhesives, composite materials, curing ovens, and other production-related machinery while following all safety protocols.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, respirators, hearing protection, and protective clothing as required.
• Ability to work in a production environment that may include exposure to noise, dust, fumes, chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and manufacturing-related hazards.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, engineering staff, and quality personnel in both verbal and written formats.

Benefits Overview: 
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.