Manufacturing Team Lead - Metal Structures for Space Industry (all genders)

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
THE WHY
To end COPV failure in spaceflight. No liner, no pressure vessel. No pressure vessel, no mission. The liner team is where production reliability begins — and where it can fail. This role exists to make sure it never does.

THE WHAT
You own the metal. Every forming step, every weld, every machined surface that becomes a liner is your responsibility. You take over an existing team, develop it, and build the system that turns individual output into serial production performance.
You ensure:
• metal processing is executed with precision and repeatability
• your team has clear ownership and grows with the mission
• production is never blocked by a liner-side constraint

You don’t just run a team. You manufacture reliability.
 
Your tasks in detail and by priority:
• Take over and develop the liner team: Own the existing team from day one. Continue its development, drive output, and set the standard for quality and throughput. → Accountability: Own your impact. No passengers.
• Own all metal processing steps: Full ownership of forming, welding, and machining processes for liner production — from first operation to finished part. → High Performance: Precision at speed. Outcome first.
• Lead and grow the team to Blackwave standards: Build a team that performs under pressure, gives direct feedback, and holds itself accountable — in line with our values. → Togetherness: One team. High bar for everyone.
• Coordinate with production demands: Translate production schedules into team priorities. Unblock bottlenecks fast. Keep output on track. → Candor: Surface problems early. Solve them faster.
• Drive process improvement toward serial production: Identify gaps in manufacturing maturity and close them. Push processes toward repeatability, documentation, and scale. → Playfulness: Experiment. Learn fast. Improve relentlessly.

YOUR PROFILE:
• Ownership: You take full responsibility for your team’s output. You don’t wait to be asked — you lead yourself and your team with clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Education: MSc in Engineering — Aerospace, Mechanical, or equivalent
• Leadership experience: You’ve led people before, not just projects. You know what real team development looks like.
• Technical know-how: Strong foundation in metal processing — forming, welding, or machining. You understand the process from the inside.
• Communication: Clear and direct at every level — operators, technicians, and C-level. You get the message across without noise.
• On-site presence: Fully on-site. This role leads by being there.
• Language skills: English C1 minimum. German B1 minimum.
• Nice to have: Planning and project management experience in a manufacturing environment. Hands-on shopfloor background.

WHAT WE OFFER:
• High level of autonomy & real impact: Be part of shaping our high-tech production landscape
• Flexible working hours & remote work options based on mutual agreement
• Startup mindset meets aerospace innovation: Flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas
• Choose your own benefit: Germany ticket, Egym Wellpass, or a tax-free Give Card
• Healthy & social lunch culture: Enjoy fresh meals during shared lunch breaks
• Stunning views: Wind down on our rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the Alps in Taufkirchen or enjoy our indoor garden in Garching-Hochbrück
• Growth opportunities: Work on exciting projects and learn from inspiring people
• We live our team culture: From tech talks to team events and after-work gatherings – we celebrate success together