Prototype and Development Manufacturing Supervisor
External
Zone5technologies · San Luis Obispo, CAPrepare for this interview
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Responsibilities
- Development & Integration Execution
- Own daily execution across prototype build and systems integration work
- Coordinate priorities across Development and Integration to maintain a tight learning loop
- Ensure smooth handoff from prototype build → system integration → test
- Balance competing demands across multiple programs and value streams
- People Leadership
- Directly manage Development and Systems Integration Technicians
- Set clear expectations, provide coaching, and address performance issues
- Support skill development and readiness for promotion
- Ensure staffing and coverage align with development priorities
- Safety & Discipline
- Enforce safety procedures during powered, integrated, and flight-capable work
- Ensure development discipline (documentation, configuration awareness, escalation)
- Support stop-work decisions when safety or risk thresholds are exceeded
- Cross-Functional Coordination
- Partner with Engineering to align execution with design intent
- Coordinate with Flight Test for readiness and scheduling
- Work with Manufacturing to support clean prototype → production transitions
- Continuous Improvement
- Improve development execution cadence and predictability
- Identify friction in handoffs and remove blockers
- Support standardization without suppressing learning
- Decision Authority
- Sets daily priorities and task sequencing
- Assigns work across Development and Integration teams
- Escalates technical risk decisions appropriately
- Recommends staffing and development actions
- Required Qualifications:
- 5-8+ years in aerospace, UAV, robotics, or advanced development environments
- Prior experience leading technical teams (supervisor or lead)
- Strong understanding of prototype build, integration, and test workflows
- Proven ability to lead in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
- Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills
- Safety-first mindset
- Pay range for this role
- $104,000 - $118,000 USD
Benefits
Additional Information
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 Prototype and Development Supervisor leads day-to-day execution across prototype build and systems integration activities, ensuring development work is safe, disciplined, coordinated, and learning-focused. This role owns people leadership, daily priorities, and execution flow across Development and Systems Integration technicians, while respecting technical risk authority held by senior technical staff. This role involves working closely with various engineering disciplines, production staff as needed, and operations teams to support expected outcomes.
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