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Manufacturing Training Manager I/II

San Luis Obispo, California, United States

At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.

We're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.

The Manufacturing Training Manager leads the Manufacturing Training & Readiness function and owns the execution and continuous improvement of Zone5 Foundations, our standardized manufacturing onboarding and production-readiness program. 

This role is responsible for building a consistent and scalable approach to manufacturing onboarding, technical training, on-the-job training (OJT), employee qualification, cross-training, skill matrices, and workforce readiness. 

The Manufacturing Training Manager partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, MES, EHS, HR, and Operations to ensure employees are prepared to safely and effectively support aerospace production across multiple programs, value streams, and shifts. 

The role will also support implementation of Zone5 Foundations and standardized training practices at designated partner or additional manufacturing sites. 

Key Responsibilities:
•    Lead the Manufacturing Training & Readiness team, including Training Supervisors and Training Specialists as applicable. 
•    Own the execution, standardization, and continuous improvement of Zone5 Foundations. 
•    Develop and maintain structured manufacturing onboarding, OJT, qualification, cross-training, and retraining practices. 
•    Establish role-based training and readiness requirements for manufacturing personnel. 
•    Ensure training content remains aligned with current manufacturing processes, work instructions, quality requirements, MES workflows, and safety expectations. 
•    Maintain effective training records, qualification documentation, skill matrices, and workforce-readiness reporting. 
•    Partner with Production and Engineering teams to support NPI, production ramp, new processes, additional shifts, and workforce expansion. 
•    Establish train-the-trainer practices and develop manufacturing employees and SMEs who support OJT. 
•    Use training and production data to identify workforce capability gaps and drive continuous improvement. 
•    Ensure training practices support AS9100, customer, safety, and internal audit-readiness requirements. 
•    Support deployment of Zone5 Foundations and manufacturing training standards to partner or additional manufacturing locations. 

Qualifications for Manager I: 
•    7+ years of relevant experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical training, or a related environment. 
•    3+ years of leadership experience managing employees, technical teams, training programs, or manufacturing functions. 
•    Experience with manufacturing training, technical qualification, OJT, workforce development, or production-readiness programs. 
•    Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, work instructions, documentation, traceability, MES, and production systems. 
•    Strong leadership, communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills. 
•    Ability to manage multiple priorities across programs, production areas, and stakeholders. 

Qualifications for Manager II:
•    10+ years of progressive experience in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing operations, engineering, quality, technical training, or another regulated manufacturing environment. 
•    5+ years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, operations, technical training, engineering, quality, or a related function. 
•    Demonstrated experience building, scaling, or significantly improving manufacturing training, technical qualification, or workforce capability programs. 
•    Experience supporting complex production environments involving multiple programs, products, sites, or manufacturing organizations. 
•    Experience supporting NPI, production ramp, manufacturing transfers, new-site startup, or significant workforce growth. 
•    Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, controlled documentation, qualification processes, MES, traceability, and quality requirements. 
•    Strong strategic planning, program management, business acumen, leadership, and executive communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Business, Education/Training, Organizational Development, or related field; equivalent experience considered. 
•    Aerospace or defense manufacturing experience. 
•    Familiarity with AS9100, IPC, ESD, FOD, Lean Manufacturing, and regulated manufacturing environments. 
•    Experience supporting NPI, production ramp, multi-shift operations, or manufacturing-site growth. 
•    Familiarity with instructional design, adult-learning principles, LMS platforms, or competency-based qualification systems. 

Manager I: $108,000 - 145,000

Manager II: $128,000 - 169,000

Pay range for this role

$108,000 - $169,000 USD

What's in it for you:

Benefits: 

  • Competitive total compensation package 
  • Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
  • 401k with company-match 
  • 4 weeks of paid time off each year
  • 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

  • Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
  • Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
  • Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team! 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.

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